MISSISSAUGA – The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sounded the alarm in their recent report on climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, released Feb. 28.
The report anticipates widespread adverse impacts to people and nature from more frequent and intense extreme events caused by climate change while noting that adaptation efforts can reduce impacts to communities most at risk.
Monitoring data from Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is already revealing that local communities are trending toward an increase in extreme heat days, exceeding the normal annual number in nine of the past 10 years.
In alignment with IPCC’s findings, extreme heat in the Credit River Watershed will likely increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and hospitalizations, with vulnerable populations most affected, highlighting the need for targeted adaptation.
With the support of our partners and funders, CVC’s Community Tree Project is helping enhance the community’s resilience and capacity to act on climate change.
The project has so far planted 2,800 trees and shrubs to increase shaded area and naturally cool the community. Learn more at cvc.ca/CommunityTreeProject.
Other climate change impacts like flooding are also a concern locally.
Flooding from more frequent and intense rain events is expected to increase as the climate changes.
CVC has developed a software tool to help municipalities identify vulnerable areas and critical infrastructure at risk of flooding.
This can help municipalities target resources, emergency planning and outreach.
The tool compares the return on investment of stormwater solutions under different climate scenarios, empowering municipalities and property owners to make informed decisions.
“From extreme heat to increased frequency of flooding, we’re beginning to see the impacts of climate change at the local level, impacting people’s quality of life in very real ways,” says Quentin Hanchard, CAO for CVC.
“CVC is working with our partners and watershed residents to identify areas at greatest risk and plan adaptation measures accordingly.”
Learn more about climate change and flooding at cvc.ca or view the CVC’s monitoring data through the Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program at cvc.ca/iwmpstorymap.
