Environment/Climate Change

Environment & Climate Change

Climate change isn't a distant threat; it is currently reshaping the land we call home. We can see it in the smoke that has filled our skies for the last three summers. Since 2023, 7% of Canada's forests have burned as we enter an era of "mega-fires" that defy traditional containment. For our Township, this isn't abstract- with much of the northern region is identified as a Wildfire Hazard Area, our homes and cottages are on the front lines.

I refuse to look at my grandchildren and admit that I saw these impacts and chose not to act. Developing robust mitigation and adaptation strategies is no longer optional. As extreme weather intensifies, the cost of doing nothing will only continue to rise. I did keep one of my election promises of four years ago. I now drive a fully electric vehicle that plays a small part in my personal mitigation while also helping me understand how best to electrify more of our vehicle fleet. 

The Township has developed a Corporate Climate Change Action Plan, which was officially adopted by Council on May 5th of this year. It outlines some of the risks and vulnerabilities that we face and offers both mitigation and adaptation strategies to consider. The impacts of climate change are visible for us to see and feel here in South Frontenac.. The drought we had last summer led to increased risks of wildfires, crop losses for farmers, strains on our wells and home gardens. Many of the rain storms in the past few years have been much more intense leading to localized flooding and a risk to our municipal infrastructure like road washouts.

The risks of inaction include:

• Destruction of habitats and biodiversity

• Water shortages and wells running dry

• Crop failures from extreme heat and drought

• Poor air quality and related heat issues

• Food shortages and increased prices

• Higher energy and housing maintenance costs

• Delays in planting and harvesting from heavy rain and flooding

• Health risks from heat and extreme weather

• Damage to homes, road and critical infrastructure from extreme weather events

• As extreme weather increase so do the costs

I believe it is vital that we move forward as quickly as possible to reduce the emissions that cause climate change and take actions to manage the risks noted above, as we have the financial and human resources to do so. We need to strenghthen the resiliency of the township and residents to manage the impacts of climate change that lie ahead.