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The Science of Climate Change
The difference between the weather and climate are substantial. When we say that today is colder than yesterday we are talking about a change in the weather. When we experience a change in the climate we see changes to the average weather that an area experiences. Human activities are now influencing our climate in ways that are warming our climate and having deleterious consequences to our natural ecosystems. The dramatic increase of greenhouse gas emissions (gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) since the industrial revolution has impacted the natural way in which the “greenhouse effect” regulates temperatures on earth. It is widely acknowledged that as a result of disrupting this natural system, human beings will be negatively impacted as the atmosphere, water cycle and natural ecosystems adjust to the greenhouse gases we continue to emit into our atmosphere.
The scientific evidence for global warming and climate change is overwhelming. The changes already set into motion in the earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activity will affect every one of us. The longer we wait to take action the greater the economic, social and environmental costs will be.
Government Action on Climate Change
Governments have both a role and responsibility to take action on climate change. Here in BC, we are fortunate to have legislation, programs and policies at the local, regional and provincial levels to help us transition away from fossil fuels and reduce GHG emissions.
Municipal Climate Action
Provincial legislation required all local governments to incorporate GHG emission targets into their Official Community Plans (OCPs) by May 31st, 2010. Across the CRD, municipalities and electoral areas have been working hard to set targets and develop local plans, policies and initiatives to reduce energy and emissions. Find out what your community wants to achieve. Read more 
Regional Climate Action
The CRD is a service provider to both residents and local governments. We strive to ensure that our operations, services and programs “walk the talk” by taking a pro-active approach to energy use, emissions generation and adaptation planning. Every decision has a climate impact somewhere on the planet and a number of CRD Departments, Divisions and Programs are integrating climate change issues into their business plans.
The CRD Climate Action Program was established in 2009, and acts as a regional hub, resource and facilitator for climate change issues. There are five key objectives for the program:
- Provide local and regional data on energy consumption, emissions levels, and other related climate related indicators.
- Support local governments in developing and implementing climate action plans, policies and bylaws.
- Community and Corporate scopes
- Emissions reductions and climate adaptation
- Educate the public on effective strategies for reducing emissions and climate change impacts through innovative partnerships with community stakeholders and government agencies.
- Liaise with senior levels of government on climate related programs, policies and legislation.
- Support the CRD becoming carbon neutral in its own operations by 2012 through emissions measurement, education, capacity building, and policy development.
Across the region there are more than 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents emitted each year. The majority of our GHG emissions come from on-road transportation, 57.7%, with buildings accounting for 39.1% and solid waste 3.2%.
In order to meet our regional target by reducing community GHG emissions throughout the region by 33% over 2007 levels by 2020 we need to reduce our emissions by approximately 495,000 tonnes. No small task!
Provincial Climate Action
In 2007, the Province of BC introduced to legislation a major step forward in the fight to mitigate uncontrolled climate change. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act (the Act) puts into legislation aggressive targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions throughout the province.
Since its inception, the Act has helped foster emission reduction policies and programs within the provincial government, across Public Sector Organizations (schools, universities, colleges and hospitals) and at local and regional levels of government. Read more
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