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