Manitoba Climate Change Task Force - International Institute for ...

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Urban Areas More than 70 per cent 4 of Manitoba’s population lives in urban areas. Activities by urban-based individuals and businesses account for a significant proportion of the province’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, climatic changes in these areas will impact the majority of Manitobans. Urban areas will not be immune to the more frequent and severe weather events predicted by current climate change models. These predicted severe weather events could further stress an already overtaxed civic infrastructure. Increased precipitation in the spring and fall will likely place greater demands on storm-water management systems. An increased risk of flooding will provide greater and continued emergency systems management challenges. Predicted climate changes may also make ensuring a safe and adequate supply of water more and more difficult throughout the year due to lower water tables and more concentrated exposure to contaminants. Additionally, while winter temperatures are predicted to rise, so is snowfall, increasing the cost of snow clearing expenditures and the occurrence and subsequent expense of winter automobile collisions. With careful adaptation and mitigation strategies in place, urban communities could overcome these challenges and introduce initiatives that will bring benefits. Investing in energy efficiency in buildings and municipal facilities will save local governments and taxpayers money in the medium term. In addition, thoughtful urban planning and programs to expand public transportation will reduce dependence on automobiles and lower transport-related emissions and contribute to healthier communities. 4 Urban areas are defined as locations that have a minimum population concentration of 1,000 and a population density of at least 400 people per square kilometer, based on the previous census population counts. Source: Statistics Canada, 1996 Census – A National Overview, cat# 93-357-XPB. 15
16 MCCTF Report 2001 — Manitoba and Climate Change: Investing in our future Northern Communities “While government needs information on predicted effects in order to plan for the future, so too, business owners and community leaders in the North need information so that they can plan the salvation of their communities and their businesses.” David Shefford • Northern Manitoba Regional Development Corporation Northern communities will perhaps feel the greatest impact of climate change in Manitoba. Melting permafrost could not only severely affect northern transportation networks; it may also result in damage to buildings and infrastructure, drainage problems and increased safety issues on roads and in buildings. The natural landscape and its flora and fauna could be affected, changes that could especially impact communities that continue to engage in traditional hunting and gathering activities. In Hudson Bay, an extension of the ice-free season could threaten seals and their main predators, polar bears. Coastal areas could experience more erosion and flooding due to a rising sea level. On the positive side, the shipping season from the port of Churchill could expand because of a longer ice-free season. Northern residents and industries might also benefit from lower heating costs.
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Page 9 and 10: 1. Introduction 4 MCCTF Report 2001
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Page 29 and 30: 3. What the Public Said 24 MCCTF Re
Page 35 and 36: 4. Guiding Principles 30 MCCTF Repo
Page 37 and 38: 5. Strategic Direction and Recommen
Page 53 and 54: 6. Organizing for Success 48 MCCTF
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Page 60 and 61: Kyoto Mechanisms • Mechanisms est
Page 62 and 63: Appendix 2 - Terms of Reference The
Page 64 and 65: Thompson (June 13, 2001): Dave Neuf
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