Community Climate Adaptation Plan (CCA Plan)
Consultation has concluded
This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):
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 identifies climate-related risks to Waterloo Region (affecting health, buildings, roads and other structures, water and the natural environment), and includes 36 adaptation Actions to help our community prepare for and respond to these risks. The CCA Plan acknowledges and connects the diverse work on climate change adaptation that is being undertaken and planned for by the Region, Area Municipalities, and other stakeholders across Waterloo Region.
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on the draft Community Climate Adaptation Plan, which was available for public input between August 14 and October 7, 2019. We reviewed your feedback and prepared a revised version, which was approved by Regional Council on November 13, 2019.
This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):
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 identifies climate-related risks to Waterloo Region (affecting health, buildings, roads and other structures, water and the natural environment), and includes 36 adaptation Actions to help our community prepare for and respond to these risks. The CCA Plan acknowledges and connects the diverse work on climate change adaptation that is being undertaken and planned for by the Region, Area Municipalities, and other stakeholders across Waterloo Region.
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on the draft Community Climate Adaptation Plan, which was available for public input between August 14 and October 7, 2019. We reviewed your feedback and prepared a revised version, which was approved by Regional Council on November 13, 2019.
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Action ideas: How can our community adapt to freezing rain and extreme winter events?
over 5 years agoCLOSED: 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 what would you need from others, to reduce these risks in your own life?
- What could be done to help other members of the community, especially those who may be more vulnerable to these impacts?
DavidTover 5 years agoFormalize checking on vulnerable neighbours
Create a program to ensure every vulnerable citizen has someone to check in on them during extreme weather.
1DavidTover 5 years agoIncrease tree maintenance
Eliminate dead wood and replace dying trees with new healthy trees.
0DawnSmithover 5 years 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/
1DavidTover 5 years 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.
0DavidTover 5 years agoBury power lines
Power lines are vulnerable to ice damage. Burying them eliminates this risk. Start with highest density areas to maximize impact.
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Action ideas: How can our community adapt to hot and dry conditions?
over 5 years agoCLOSED: 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 need from others, to reduce these risks in your own life?
- What could be done to help other members of the community, especially those who may be more vulnerable to these impacts?
Ambinatorover 5 years agoAdd cool mist stations in downtown cores for people to cool down, extend hours of municipal buildings,
0 comment0Alanover 5 years agoDevelop a long-range plan to move homes and businesses out of flood-prone areas. Then remove dams and let watercourses flow naturally.
0 comment0Anonover 5 years agoPaint roofs and streets white, install shade sails over playgrounds and public squares and pedestrian areas
0 comment0JohannaBover 5 years 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.
0 comment0Laurenover 5 years 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
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Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: 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 of the above impacts? You can submit multiple ideas. Consider:- What can you do, and what would you need from others, to reduce these risks in your own life?
- What could be done to help other members of the community, especially those who may be more vulnerable to these impacts?
enviroover 5 years agoAdapt and mitigate risk are two different concepts. Ask for ideas re: flood evacuation strategy separately from climate risk mitigation.
Some don't want to acknowledge climate change is happening, but we'll all have to adapt to immediate threats to the community.
1 comment1Paulover 5 years agoincrease permeable surfaces instead of paved car parks / driveways promote rain gardens
0 comment10apiscitelliover 5 years agoFacilitate Flood Insurance
Work with insurance companies to improve the accuracy of maps and to provide other data needed to facilitate the ability of homeowners to purchase flood insurance.
0 comment0DavidTover 5 years 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.
1 comment4DavidTover 5 years agoEliminate curbside leaf collection
Curbside leaf collection contributes to debris that clogs storm sewers but also discourages cycling (leaves are very slippery and in the bike lanes) which reduces GHG emissions.
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Action ideas: How can our community adapt to the potential long-term impacts of climate change?
over 5 years agoCLOSED: 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/or new illnesses to affect our community
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, to reduce these risks in your own life?
- What could be done to help other members of the community, especially those who may be more vulnerable to these impacts?
HeatherMover 5 years 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.
0 comment1Donniqueover 5 years 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.
0 comment0DavidTover 5 years 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
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Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: 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, to reduce these risks in your own life?
- What could be done to help other members of the community, especially those who may be more vulnerable to these impacts?
DavidTover 5 years 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.
0 comment0DavidTover 5 years 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.
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CCA Plan Timeline
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Milestone 1 - Initiate
Community Climate Adaptation Plan (CCA Plan) has finished this stageRegional Council included the Community Climate Adaptation Plan in their Strategic Plan for 2015-2018.
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Milestone 2 - Research
Community Climate Adaptation Plan (CCA Plan) has finished this stageLocal impacts of climate change were identified and prioritized by risk to the community.
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Milestone 3 - Action Planning
Community Climate Adaptation Plan (CCA Plan) has finished this stageWe identified actions to help our community adapt to the most significant impacts, and gathered community feedback on a draft CCA Plan.
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Final CCA Plan
Community Climate Adaptation Plan (CCA Plan) is currently at this stageThank you for your feedback on the draft CCA Plan. The revised CCA Plan has been approved by Regional Council. This concludes the adaptation planning process and begins the implementation phase.
Climate Change Studies for Waterloo Region
Who's listening
Notice of Collection
Personal information on the Application form is being collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1980, c.302 (as amended), and will be used to share updates on the Community Climate Adaptation Plan. Questions about this collection can be directed to Nicholas Cloet, Planning Coordinator, Climate Change, ncloet@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-575-4400 x.4014.