WhiteCAP_Plan_01SEPT..

NCE WhiteCAP Environmental History
response are not only less likely to be injured or severely impacted by an environmental
stressor, but may also facilitate institutional attempts to control and neutralize the source
of danger by staying out of the way and following directions. Thus, an effective response
requires the institution to provide residents with enough information to dissuade them
from taking action themselves and thus potentially complicating efforts to lessen a
particular threat. It is important to note that despite a noticeable effort by Whitehorse’s
institutional departments to improve responses to environmental stresses, there is
persistence in individual injuries and private property damage that result from a
particular stress, despite a lessening of overall impact. For example, heavy snow falls or
icy conditions tend to consistently result in accidents and injuries despite a priori
warnings about the potential hazards. Thus, the community’s adaptive capacity is low
where behavioural rather than institutional level change is required. This will likely affect
future climate change adaptations as they are implemented. Environmental stresses
such as flooding and forest fires are more easily mitigated with institutional support, as
they their impacts tend to be more localized and they often require access to specialized
equipment. Educational programs and ensuring the community is aware of the benefits
associated with city programs such as FireSmart will likely be pivotal for future
adaptation programs, especially on an individual level.
While climate change may result in new environmental stresses that carry unknown
risks, it will also exacerbate known stresses and the hazards. For example, structural
issues arising form snowfall that exceeds the loading capacity of buildings may become
increasingly common. Ice on roadways may become more frequent due to
unseasonable rain and changing weather and could be of major concern given that there
are more drivers and pedestrians in Whitehorse than ever before. Accidents due to poor
driving conditions or icy walking conditions are therefore also likely to increase. Finally,
the risks associated with a potential increase in the number of forest fires and flooding
events will test both the adaptive capacity of the institution and the individual. The
environmental stresses documented in this report provide a basis for evaluating how
climate change may affect the community of Whitehorse. This report indicates which of
these historic hazards has proven problematic for residents, and which hazards continue
to result in the damage of property and the injury of residents. The impacts and
responses to these stresses are something that we should consider and evaluate for
years to come. As a result, these stresses should be considered in the development of
the Community of Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
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