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

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MCCTF Report 2001 — Manitoba and Climate Change: Investing in our future
What was Said
“Governments must use a multilateral approach and apply sustainable development
principles when developing strategies to deal with greenhouse gas reductions.”
Weldon Newton • Keystone Agricultural Producers
“We believe the major challenge in front of the task force is to describe the
opportunities/challenges to individuals and groups in enough detail to raise their
awareness yet empower them with a set of expected conditions.”
Marsha Sheppard • Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Although a diversity of
opinions, perspectives and recommendations were presented to the task force, a
number of common themes emerged through the discussions:
Action on climate change is needed now. It was made clear to task force
members that the impacts of climate change are being felt in Manitoba, as
evidenced by conditions such as the unpredictability of the season for winter
roads. Manitobans stated that immediate efforts must be made to address these
current concerns while also developing plans to tackle the future implications
of climate change. They suggested that climate change impacts be taken into
consideration as the provincial government develops plans to address current
priorities, such as the on-going crisis in the agricultural sector and the need to
improve flood protection in the Red River Valley.
The government of Manitoba needs to take a leadership role and act to address
climate change challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Several participants in the task force meetings called upon the provincial
government to demonstrate its commitment to action on climate change by taking
steps to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions and prepare more deliberately for
the changing climate. It was also recommended that the government of Manitoba
take a more active, positive role on the national and regional stage.
Both mitigation and adaptation strategies need to be implemented to effectively
respond to climate change. Manitobans acknowledged the need to reduce our
own greenhouse gas emissions, as well as contribute to global mitigation efforts
and demonstrate our commitment to this issue. At the same time, it was recognized
that the process of climate change has already arrived, and the province needs to
adopt strategies that will minimize potential impacts on our natural environment,
health and economy and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are required. Through their
presentations, concerned Manitobans called upon the provincial government to