Fortunately, here in Canada, it’s not widely a matter of belief.
When we go to talk climate change, we’re glad we’re all are lucky enough to live in Canada so we and our governments at all levels can talk action and preparedness and solutions, not debate whether it’s a hoax as we would have to south of the border.
It’s difficult enough to address actions, preparedness and solutions, as there are no easy answers.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District has come out with some very interesting projections on what, in concrete terms, we can expect from climate change in this region.
Only those few with their heads still stuck in the sand on climate change can afford to ignore the implications. Even those who believe the changing climate isn’t caused by human action (in spite of the avalanche of science to the contrary) should be interested in making sure we’re ready to adapt to the changes even they acknowledge are occurring.
So what are we looking at? More sweltering days over 25 C — in fact more than double. A growing season that will run 337 days rather than the current 237 days. The decline of cedar in our forests — a huge change to all of the species that depend on them. In fact, we could see whole new species of everything ranging from pests to fish, and face the possible disappearance of the ones we’ve always taken for granted.
It will be a different world by 2080.
We must start planning now to make sure we have water, both above and below ground, to sustain these changes. The costs of groceries, transportation and insurance, as well as demands on energy grids are just some of the areas that will feel the impacts.
It would be great if we could slow or stop the climate change process we are facing, but in the absence of any meaningful international commitment to do so, it gives us some comfort that at least our local governments are taking steps to plan for the future.
