Global Warming — The Climate is Changing
We are already seeing the consequences of a 1°C increase of global warming ... this is a wake up call.
The recent report from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had impactful key messages for all of us.
https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/special-reports/sr15/sr15_spm_final.pdf
Panmao Zhai, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I stated “One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes.”
There is a candidate running in this election who is known to be a denier of climate change ... really ... with these expert reports being released regularly to say “wake up society”.
The warmer weather has caused cold climates not to get as cold, in the interior of BC, the pine beetle has destroyed forests, which is a fuel contributor to the forest fires leading to financial loss, families lives forever changed and so much more. Water impacts, water restrictions, loss of rain, rivers and creeks getting dangerously low ... impacts on fish and their habitats.
In Saanich with these hotter drier summer months ... plus look at the weather we are having in October ... the trees are dying more because of lack of rain. Boulevard trees, are being impacted and loss of tree canopy creates more heat ... more electricity being used to cool homes and businesses. How do those living on low income survive? Isolated seniors on their own?
Yes the the topics of this election were housing and transportation. I would say that how we manage these issues moving forward with a sustainable resilient climate lens, are also the issue, in fact “the issue” for future politicians. While the global impact differences we can make are small, Saanich can be an example and thought leader in this critical area.
To review some of the work Saanich is doing go to this link:
http://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/sustainable-saanich.html
Plus, as Chair of CRD Environment Services Committee, what we are doing at the CRD:
https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/what-we-do/sustainability/climate-change-a-priority