A growing concern which we will discuss in our first blog of 2021, is that much of Canada is becoming more vulnerable to the impacts caused by climate change. This is due in large part because of more regular and more extreme weather events impacting communities everywhere.
Where there lies risk, there also lies opportunity. In our view, communities themselves are in the best position to identify these risks because they are the ones who experience first-hand the impacts from major weather events for example.
In the near-term communities can begin to take steps to identify their most pressing climate change vulnerabilities and begin solving for ways to reduce these vulnerabilities.
Future risks from drought and floods in Alberta for example, are of particular concern to many communities. Planning groups, councils, authorities, and local governments know first-hand or through historical events, that there exist local weather extremes which can cause significant damage. Areas of highest vulnerability are often in mapped flood zones. Whether or not the flood zones or drought zones are mapped, locals likely know where these risks are in their communities.
In the 2013 flood in Calgary, five lives were lost, and financial losses and property damage exceeded $6 billion across Southern Alberta (source: City of Calgary). Understanding that flooding events are likely to increase in severity and frequency, communities should allocate time and resources to begin work now to find and prioritize risks and opportunities.
Here are five key considerations to help communities that want to start discussing local risks and vulnerabilities due to climate change:
1) Engage and work with Indigenous communities, utilizing traditional knowledge
- Early engagement to support equitable project design is necessary
2) Work with local businesses already implementing sustainability related solutions
- Examples include: organizations administering programs and initiatives, technology and innovation, energy sector participants focusing on renewable energy
3) Gather data to help identify the community’s largest risks
- Using data will make informed decisions. Data takes time to gather and analyze but a considerable amount of data may already be within arm’s reach of your community
4) Establish a working group early on to discuss emerging opportunities and create action plans
- This is a planning phase task that any local community can do almost immediately
5) Collaborate with other local communities
- Neighbouring communities often face similar risks related to climate change (i.e. two communities located in the same watershed might have very similar drought risks)
Blue Harp Consulting can help facilitate discussions within your organization and community and support or lead the formation of working groups to begin gathering data and problem solving. We work closely with each client to build a customized solution. We offer general and strategic sustainability consulting services and encourage you to reach out to us today to learn more.
Blue Harp Consulting looks forward to discussing your project, idea, plans related to climate change adaptation, mitigation, or other sustainability initiatives.
If you have questions about our consulting services or this blog post please reach out to us. Our website is: www.blueharpconsulting.ca and our email is: info@blueharpconsulting.ca
