Climate adaptation
Climate change adaptation & mitigation:
a removal of personal rights, or simply the right thing to do?
Climate adaptation
The process need not be complex, but it is hard
»……..because thinking is
Think Carefully
Adaptation actions will have consequences:
Social
Environmental
Political
Financial
obstacles:
‘It’s my right’
‘This is Big Brother’
‘freedom to choose’
For example:
cars, water metering, cheap food
Remember these?
Remember these?• List of Agriculture Risks/ Vulnerabilities for RA/VA• Q – do we look at crops/livestock, or does this include buildings and
infrastructure?• increased air temperature = drier soils = crop stress = higher crop failure(?) (FALL)• increased air temperature = change in invasive plant species = arable land taken over
by plants = harder to farm = higher costs (FALL)• increased air temperature = longer fire season = fire risk to crops and buildings
(FALL)• increased air temperature = greater risk of bacteria and fungus = crop disease? (can
this be added to infestation?) (FALL)• increased Growing Degree Days = longer growing season = potentially greater crop
yields = change in crop suitability = transition time and $ needed (FALL)• increased maximum temperatures = scorched crops = crop failure ? (FALL)• long period of little or no precipitation = longer period of low stream flow = water
shortages = crop failure due to unavailability of water (FALL)• (as 7 above) long period of little or no precipitation = drier soils = stress on crops =
increased irrigation needs = crop failure ?? (FALL)• increased winter precipitation = more rain on bare soil = greater water run off = flash
floods = transport route disruption = produce shortages (WINTER)
Assessing risk - water
Climate-related Impact
Water Provision- Risk Assessment
ProbabilityRemote UnlikelyPossible
LikelyAlmost Certain
ConsequenceInsignificant
MinorModerate
MajorCatastrophic
RiskVery low
LowModerate
HighVery High
1.
Increase in air temperature, and reduced snowfall lead to
reduced water supply in wells and reservoir
(spring)
Almost Certain
Modeling required
Major +
Alternative arrangementsWork with neighboursInconvenience more than a few days
Very High
2.
Reduced spring snowfall,Higher air temps,
Increased growing degree days,
Longer periods of little or no precipitation, lead to demand
exceeding supply (spring, summer, fall)
Almost Certain
Already stating to happen
Major
Alternative arrangementsWork with neighboursInconvenience more than a few days
Very High
3.
Higher air temperatures and Increased extreme events
lead to increased watershed
damage (fall, winter, spring)
Current = possible – happens every 5 years
Likely
Fire, flood, tree fall
Major +
Watershed damageFlooding etc effects entire system
High
4.
Increased occurrence of wind storms and intense rain
events lead to water contamination (summer,
winter)
Current = possibleLikely – Martin
Possible
Boil waterKnowledge/awareness about boilingMake sure people learn
Moderate – Major
Moderate +
Moderate
5.
Extreme rainfall events, increased occurrence of wind
storms and snow storm frequency lead to power loss
and water supply interruption
(spring, summer, winter)
Almost certain – already have several per year Already deal with it
Major – fits definition
Very High
6
Extreme cold events, decreased winter snowfall
and less snow insulation lead to
water infrastructure damage (frozen water pipes)
(late fall, early winter)
Likely
Now – likelyFuture – Likely +
Personal system – ModerateCollective system – Moderate
Can be expensiveHow many pipes depend on snow insulation? Some popes not buried deep.
High
7..Increase in temp and low
precip = higher stream temp = higher bacteria = higher turbidity/ contamination
Likely + Major High
Adaptation options - water
Climate-related Impact
Water Provision- Adaptation Options
RiskVery low
LowModerate
HighVery High
Potential Adaptation Options:• What can be done?
Adaptive Capacity:• Can we do it?
1.
Increase in air temperature, and reduced snowfall lead to
reduced water supply in wells and reservoir
(spring)
Very High Focus on supplyDeforestation – treesWatershed managementPlot different species, higher temp tolerance, shade speciesCreate wet land for recharge, storm management, filtrationHigher damExpand riparian buffers
Low Watershed management strategyLand managers cooperative (licensees, Government, Forestry)Very expensive, not very well spent.
2.
Reduced spring snowfall,Higher air temps,
Increased growing degree days,
Longer periods of little or no precipitation, lead to demand
exceeding supply (spring, summer, fall)
Very high Focus on demandMetersLow flush toiletsEducation (rainbarrels reduce water for lawn care, save $$ in treatment)Drip irrigationXeriscapingBuilding code – graywater, compostKaslo creek for golf course/gravity
HighIncentive programLower $$ than supply option$500 000 meter/toilet in each houseRetrofit more expensive
Difficult, cultural, new managementLow
3.
Higher air temperatures and Increased extreme events
lead to increased watershed
damage (fall, winter, spring)
High More buffer zonesMore vegetationMore deciduous treesMore sedimentation pondsMore infiltration galleries
All can be doneVery expensive
Low
4.
4a
Increased occurrence of wind storms and intense rain
events lead to water contamination (summer,
winter)
Bacteria = turbidity (???)
Moderate
high
BiofiltersVegetated buffersBiowater (???)Wetlands (combined with above)Start tomorrow planningMinimise impervious surfaceNo more pavementHousehold filters (POE)
Some easySome hardPossible/practicalSome resources
Moderate
5.
Extreme rainfall events, increased occurrence of wind
storms and snow storm frequency lead to power loss
and water supply interruption
(spring, summer, winter)
Very high Backup system/standby power plantAlternative energy system/water systemRedundancy (??)Underground power lines/utilitiesWider right of ways/buffers (don’t like it)
Run of river – Kaslo river, need fish ladder
Moderate
Possible Quite expensive $$
Possible, better in future, prices go up. cost / kwh too low.
6.
Extreme cold events, decreased winter snowfall
and less snow insulation lead to
water infrastructure damage (frozen water pipes)
(late fall, early winter)
High Blow snow on pipesBury deeperPermit stage – pipe burial depth minimumWater run in pipes
High
head thickness (barrier)Old pipes are leaking anyway. Dig up and bury deeper.
Providing a chance for Kaslo/Area D to become a more resilient, equitable and
just community