Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Yukon College

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INFRASTRUCTURE Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptation Plan Even a modest onset of climate change is anticipated to negatively affect the linear infrastructure of Whitehorse, such as roads and power lines. Risks to linear infrastructure stem from variable weather and wind (affecting power lines and roads), or erosion and landslides (affecting roads). Risks to linear infrastructure from climate change are anticipated to compound existing stresses, exacerbating the cost of maintenance and creating secondary risks for the community as the influence of multipliers increases. Climate change is also anticipated to increase the risk of leaching from the Whitehorse dump. Spillways and dams are also perceived to be at a slightly higher risk from a catastrophic flood. Suggested Adaptations for Infrastructure Adaptations Addresses Establish a multi-year municipal budget for dealing with climate change variability, e.g., roads and road clearing. Recommend development densification to allow for greater cost sharing of infrastructure. I2, 4, 5, H9 I2, 4, 5; H1, EV7; F6; ES3 Fit Win-win Community Capacity Priority H M M High H H H High Educate the public to set a fair expectation for quality of service. 14, 5 M H L High Reduce downtown vehicle traffic (e.g., through better transit). I1-15 I2, 4, 5, L L L Med Need to identify critical engineering thresholds, responsibilities and partnerships. H7-9, 12; EV3 H M H High Look into feasibility of micro-hydro. I1-15 I6; L L L Low Increase available warehousing (links to food storage). F5, 9; O1,3,5 H L H High Expand active road monitoring stations in problem areas (roads and infrastructure). 14; H9, 11 H L M Med Explore feasibility of automatic de-icing at problem intersections. 15; H9 L L L Low Separate untreatable garbage to reduce leaching, e.g., sourceseparation, hazardous materials transfer station, etc. I2; EV3 L L L Low Increase storm water retention within the city – allow for natural recharge (e.g., create porous parking lots.) I3; EV1, 4 L L L Low Assess dependence of Whitehorse to highway, as well as vulnerability of highway to climate change outside city limits. Assess storm drainage capacity/capability and design for extremes I6; H1, 2, 7, 11 H M H High in future climate change projections when being replaced through maintenance schedules. I4 H M H High 73
74 Community Adaptation Project Suggested Adaptations for Infrastructure, continued. ENVIRONMENT Risk to the environment of Whitehorse from climate change is characterized by shifts in the rate of evapotranspiration, the introduction of invasive species, and pressure on water quality. Impacts on local water quality due to infrastructure decline were a risk identified by the community. These infrastructure risks do overlap with environmental risks to water quality (see section Community Adaptations to High Risk Consequences of Climate Change). It is important to note the cross-sector nature of some adaptations. Fit Win-win Community Capacity Addresses Adaptations Ensure standards and regulations are “living” so they are changed as we acquire more information. I6, H8 I1-11, H M L Med Have flexible zoning (beyond the downtown core) to allow for densification increases in areas of the City. 13, 15; EV3, 5, 7, 11 M M L Med Design neighbourhoods outside the downtown core to have services. I2, 4, 5 I2, 4, 5; M L L Med Regional planning and all relevant planning needs to be revisited regularly. H1-3, 6; EV6-8; F8; ES3 H M L High Redesign buildings if there are problems in the future, such as retrofitting insulation, etc. I2, 4; H8 L M M Med Use buildings as carbon sinks and/or use waste materials for insulation. I4 I4, 14; L L L Med Generate standards/best practices for subdivision development for climate change. H3; EV3, 5, 7, 11- 12 H M M High Promote education and training to compensate for increased snow loads. I1-5, 7; H8 L L L Low Create a strategy to move forward as demand for waste management constrains flexibility. I4, 5 L L L Low Create a strategy to compensate for capacity issues as people and expertise are strained by changing climate conditions. I3, 11 L L L Low Priority
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COMMUNITY ADAPTATION PROJECT WHITEH
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Printed in Whitehorse, Yukon, 2011
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Acknowledgements The project team w
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TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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over the next 40 years. Mean annual
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LIST OF ACRONYMS CASM Council and S
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throughout the planning process and
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hazards, food security, health, and
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The broader community was engaged t
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Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptatio
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Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptatio
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Whitehorse is located in the zone o
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difficult to discern. Furthermore,
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Frost-free period Whitehorse Climat
Page 30 and 31: Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptatio
Page 32 and 33: Table 7. Identified opportunities b
Page 34 and 35: Table 8. Identified high-priority a
Page 36 and 37: must be balanced against the potent
Page 38 and 39: Immediate steps for future planning
Page 40 and 41: WHITECAP PROJECTS As noted in the I
Page 42 and 43: REFERENCES Whitehorse Climate Chang
Page 50 and 51: INTRODUCTION The term climate chang
Page 54 and 55: to shifting seasonal conditions bec
Page 56 and 57: disappear through sublimation and n
Page 58 and 59: Historically, Whitehorse has respon
Page 60 and 61: dust and debris several thousand fe
Page 62 and 63: Snow: Adaptive Capacity and Climate
Page 64 and 65: REFERENCES Whitehorse Climate Chang
Page 72 and 73: APPENDIX E - COMMUNITY OF WHITEHORS
Page 74 and 75: Environment Whitehorse Climate Chan
Page 76 and 77: Community Consequences of Decreased
Page 78 and 79: APPENDIX F - COMMUNITY OF WHITEHORS
Page 82 and 83: Suggested Adaptations for Environme
Page 84 and 85: Suggested Adaptations for Energy Se
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Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Yukon College

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