https://www.waterloo.ca/en/index.aspx#?cludoquery=Strategic%20plan&cludopage=2&cludorefpt=City%20of%20Waterloo&cludorefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterloo.ca%2Fen%2Findex.aspx
Community Climate Adaptation Plan (CCA Plan)
Extreme weather events can significantly impact local health and safety; property; infrastructure; water quality; and the natural environment. Local research shows we can expect more: extreme heat; intense rainfall; freezing rain events; storms and strong winds due to climate change.
The Community Climate Adaptation (CCA) Plan will help us understand the impacts, and how they may affect our community. It will also encourage Waterloo Region citizens to work together and become more resilient to changing climate conditions and extreme weather.
By developing the CCA Plan, we’re joining communities throughout Canada and around the world who are working to reduce the local impacts of climate change.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Action Ideas tool between November 27 and December 21, 2018. These ideas will help us identify actions that our community can take to become more resilient to extreme weather and changing climate conditions. While the Ideas can still be viewed, the tool will not accept new submissions. Stay tuned for an update in the new year, when we will identify adaptation actions that may be included in the final CCA Plan.
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CLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.Warmer average winter temperatures can hover above and below freezing, increasing the risk of freezing rain. Freezing rain, winter storms and other winter weather changes can have a number of impacts on our community, including:
- dangerous travel conditions (roads and sidewalks)
- ice treatments (i.e. salt) contributing to water quality impacts
- ice accumulation causing power outages
- frost movements and ice jams damaging things such as water pipes, roads and bridges
How can our community reduce some or all of the above impacts? You can submit multiple ideas. Consider:- What can you do, and whatContinue reading
25 DAYS AGOBury power lines
Power lines are vulnerable to ice damage. Burying them eliminates this risk. Start with highest density areas to maximize impact.
30 DAYS AGOSpray beet juice on roads instead of salt
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/spraying-beet-juice-onto-city-streets-to-combat/videoc39920f9-395d-4f60-abe1-0fa9fe07bbbf/
25 DAYS AGOSubsidize studded tires for bicycles
Banff is now subsidizing studded tires for bicycles ($50 per tire). This not only encourages winter cycling, thus reducing GHG emissions but it also tackles the issue of ice being the most hazardous condition for bicycles without studded tires.
25 DAYS AGOFormalize checking on vulnerable neighbours
Create a program to ensure every vulnerable citizen has someone to check in on them during extreme weather.
25 DAYS AGOIncrease tree maintenance
Eliminate dead wood and replace dying trees with new healthy trees.
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CLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.Our community can expect more extreme heat in the years and decades ahead. We might also experience periods of low rain that could affect our water resources. Local impacts of hot and dry conditions may include:
- health impacts of extreme heat, especially for those who are vulnerable to heat and those who work outdoors
- reduced air quality
- increased fire risk
- dry conditions could limit water use
How can our community reduce some or all of the above impacts? You can submit multiple ideas. Consider:- What can you do, and what would you needContinue reading
30 DAYS AGODevelop a long-range plan to move homes and businesses out of flood-prone areas. Then remove dams and let watercourses flow naturally.
23 DAYS AGOencourage xeriscaping
18 DAYS AGOMore trees
More trees lining streets make it nicer to walk down in all weather including adding shade to hot sunny days. More trees in parks so that kids and parents can play/watch in the shade
29 DAYS AGOwater features
For human relief, enhance access to and develop more public water features like splash pads, cooling stations, or fountains. Such things can be integrated into building cooling system or use recirculating water, while providing recreational opportunities. Publicly-accessible private spaces requirements on new developments could also be leveraged to encourage environmental development like water features, living roofs, and small greenspaces that can provide cooler spaces in city heat islands and attenuate runoff during rain events.
25 DAYS AGOPlant more trees
Subsidize and support citizens and businesses to plant trees to increase transpiration and shade as well as reducing stormwater runoff.
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CLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.Increased annual rainfall, more heavy rain storms and snowmelt combined with rain can all increase the risk of flooding in Waterloo Region. Flooding stems from overflowing rivers or municipal storm water systems, and/or from water runoff entering homes and building foundations. Local impacts of flooding can include:
- damages to homes and businesses
- health impacts due to water-borne illnesses or mould
- evacuations if there is a severe risk of flooding or from severely damaged buildings
- road washouts, bridge closures and other transportation issues
How can our community reduce some or all ofContinue reading14 DAYS AGOPromote home inspections to identify flood risks
I understand home inspectors are now receiving flood risk training and can identify risks and opportunities to help reduce impact when flooding occurs
ABOUT 1 MONTH AGOGreen rooftops, rain gardens, and planting trees, all to capture rainwater where it falls is important. Keep water in place. Look here:
https://www.nrdc.org/issues/encourage-green-infrastructure#.Tv0upadynqw.twitter
ABOUT 1 MONTH AGOincrease permeable surfaces instead of paved car parks / driveways promote rain gardens
20 DAYS AGOReclaim marsh areas along creeks where possible to slow down flood water. Many creeks were dug out to drain the city as fast as possible.
25 DAYS AGOTo increase permeable surfaces, eliminate parking minimums and tax parking lots.
This action will not only increase permeable surfaces but also reduce GHG emissions by making it more attractive to take transit or active transportation to work.
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CLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.In addition to extreme weather and temperatures, some climate-related changes can have long-term effects on our community. These may include:
- water quality impacts as increased rainfall leads to more runoff (from farms and urban surfaces such as roofs and pavement)
- increased runoff may also cause erosion of river banks and hillsides which can damage roads and property
- changing temperatures and climate conditions could make it easier for invasive (non-native) species to grow in our community, making it more difficult for some native species to compete
- changing temperatures might allow new disease carriers and/orContinue reading
25 DAYS AGOImprove watershed management
Proactively monitor rural and urban features that might lead to catastrophic or damaging runoff and work with owners and regulations to reduce the prevalence and magnitude of risk e.g. broader margins of natural vegetation around drainage channels of all sizes, reduce parking lot size and increase permeability, eliminate parking minimums
23 DAYS AGOEncourage activities that help residents connect with their neighbours
Connected communities are often more resilient to climate change impacts and other stresses because people look out for each other. Communities are best able to identify those members who are most vulnerable and offer the type of help that they really need. Cities can help encourage community building through support of community gardens, community programing, neighbourhood associations, community events, etc.
17 DAYS AGORenovate/add green demonstration homes for use as model of education/action
Renovate the houses on Mill Street to serve as demo homes of energy efficient, stromwater diversion, water conservation and adaptions/mitigation examples. Use the homes that stand empty and are owned by the Region and create a hub for contractors, homeowners, schools and other cities to model how our communities ought to be developing. Use the Reep House at 20 Mill Street as template to replicate creating beautiful heritage homes that serve education and model the green future of retrofits and new homes alike, to be inspired to make practical changes that make an impact on climate change.
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CLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.Our community may experience increased storms and stronger wind gusts due to changing climate conditions affecting temperature, air pressure and rain. Local impacts of strong winds and storms may include:
- accidents and emergencies such as vehicle collisions, falling tree limbs and other safety risks
- damages to buildings and infrastructure from wind and storms
- power outages caused by damages to power lines and utilities infrastructure
How can our community reduce some or all of the above impacts? You can submit multiple ideas. Consider:- What can you do, and what would you need from others, toContinue reading
25 DAYS AGOBury power lines
Work with utilities to incentivize burying of power lines to reduce storm damage (and beautify the community at the same time.) Start in the highest density areas for greatest impact.
25 DAYS AGODo more tree maintenance
Currently, city trees are minimally maintained with lots of deadwood and dying trees tolerated. Increase the budget for tree maintenance and do more replacement of dying trees with new trees.