Despite our efforts to reduce carbon pollution, we need to ensure Vancouver is prepared for the impacts of a changing global climate.

What is climate change adaptation?

Adapting to climate change means understanding what climate we are likely to experience in the future, and creating proactive plans that take advantage of opportunities and prepare for impacts. This is different than mitigation, which refers to our efforts to limit climate change by reducing greenhouse gases.

What Vancouver is doing to prepare for climate change

In 2012, Council adopted the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to ensure a vibrant, liveable, and resilient city in the face of climate change.

The strategy is currently being updated. Help shape the strategy and let us know what matters to you.

In their excellent website, Vancouver provides links to key areas of concern and guidance for what their government and citizens can do.

It has major sections on issues of concern:

Temperature  https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/temperature-climate.aspx

Rain and Snow  https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/rain-and-snow-climate.aspx

Nature  https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/nature-climate.aspx

Homes  https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/homes-climate.aspx

Sea Level Rise  https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/sea-level-rise.aspx

Strategy Background   https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/sea-level-rise.aspx

The linked sections above show progress in addressing climate change impacts in each sector of interest

So what kind of flowers and trees will you be able to grow in your community in twenty years?

CACOR Adaptation Initiative

CACOR is beginning a discussion on addressing how Canadians can personally reduce their own exposure to the risks associated with climate change.  What can an individual or community do to begin an adaptation process or strategy.  To make their home more resilient, to avoid actions or activities which may expose them to unacceptable conditions, to make changes in how they live or where they live which will make accommodation to new climate conditions more probable.

Communities like Vancouver are ahead of most in bringing their citizens up to speed on the implications of a changing climate, including more extreme weather events and alterations to the exosystems which they inhabit .  Are different planting and harvesting practices involving different crops or landscaping likely to be needed?  Do we need to be prepared for floods, stronger storms, hotter summers, more hot or cold waves,  seasonal drought or???

Over the next few months members of CACOR will be assembling examples of best practice which individuals can pursue, and also where they may be able to influence their communities to prepare for adaptation.   In future posts to this section we will keep you informed of progress and hopefully results.