Climate adaptation Climate change adaptation & mitigation: a removal of personal rights, or simply the right thing to do?

Climate adaptation The process need not be complex, but it is hard »……..because thinking is

Think Carefully Adaptation actions will have consequences: Social Environmental Political Financial obstacles: ‘It’s my right’ ‘This is Big Brother’ ‘freedom to choose’ For example: cars, water metering, cheap food

Remember these?

List of Agriculture Risks/ Vulnerabilities for RA/VA Q – do we look at crops/livestock, or does this include buildings and infrastructure? increased air temperature = drier soils = crop stress = higher crop failure(?) (FALL) increased air temperature = change in invasive plant species = arable land taken over by plants = harder to farm = higher costs (FALL) increased air temperature = longer fire season = fire risk to crops and buildings (FALL) increased air temperature = greater risk of bacteria and fungus = crop disease? (can this be added to infestation?) (FALL) increased Growing Degree Days = longer growing season = potentially greater crop yields = change in crop suitability = transition time and $ needed (FALL) increased maximum temperatures = scorched crops = crop failure ? (FALL) long period of little or no precipitation = longer period of low stream flow = water shortages = crop failure due to unavailability of water (FALL) (as 7 above) long period of little or no precipitation = drier soils = stress on crops = increased irrigation needs = crop failure ?? (FALL) increased winter precipitation = more rain on bare soil = greater water run off = flash floods = transport route disruption = produce shortages (WINTER)

Assessing risk - water Climate-related Impact Water Provision- Risk Assessment Probability Remote Unlikely Possible Likely Almost Certain Consequence Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic Risk Very low Low Moderate High Very High 1. Increase in air temperature, and reduced snowfall lead to reduced water supply in wells and reservoir (spring) Almost Certain Modeling required Major + Alternative arrangements Work with neighbours Inconvenience more than a few days Very High 2. Reduced spring snowfall, Higher air temps, Increased growing degree days, Longer periods of little or no precipitation, lead to demand exceeding supply (spring, summer, fall) Almost Certain Already stating to happen Major Alternative arrangements Work with neighbours Inconvenience more than a few days Very High 3. Higher air temperatures and Increased extreme events lead to increased watershed damage (fall, winter, spring) Current = possible – happens every 5 years Likely Fire, flood, tree fall Major + Watershed damage Flooding etc effects entire system High 4. Increased occurrence of wind storms and intense rain events lead to water contamination (summer, winter) Current = possible Likely – Martin Possible Boil water Knowledge/awareness about boiling Make sure people learn Moderate – Major Moderate + Moderate 5. Extreme rainfall events, increased occurrence of wind storms and snow storm frequency lead to power loss and water supply interruption (spring, summer, winter) Almost certain – already have several per yearAlready deal with it Major – fits definition Very High 6 Extreme cold events, decreased winter snowfall and less snow insulation lead to water infrastructure damage (frozen water pipes) (late fall, early winter) Likely Now – likely Future – Likely + Personal system – Moderate Collective system – Moderate Can be expensive How many pipes depend on snow insulation? Some popes not buried deep. High 7.. Increase in temp and low precip = higher stream temp = higher bacteria = higher turbidity/ contamination Likely +MajorHigh

Adaptation options - water Climate-related Impact Water Provision- Adaptation Options Risk Very low Low Moderate High Very High Potential Adaptation Options: What can be done? Adaptive Capacity: Can we do it? 1. Increase in air temperature, and reduced snowfall lead to reduced water supply in wells and reservoir (spring) Very HighFocus on supply Deforestation – trees Watershed management Plot different species, higher temp tolerance, shade species Create wet land for recharge, storm management, filtration Higher dam Expand riparian buffers Low Watershed management strategy Land managers cooperative (licensees, Government, Forestry) Very expensive, not very well spent. 2. Reduced spring snowfall, Higher air temps, Increased growing degree days, Longer periods of little or no precipitation, lead to demand exceeding supply (spring, summer, fall) Very highFocus on demand Meters Low flush toilets Education (rainbarrels reduce water for lawn care, save $$ in treatment) Drip irrigation Xeriscaping Building code – graywater, compost Kaslo creek for golf course/gravity High Incentive program Lower $$ than supply option $ meter/toilet in each house Retrofit more expensive Difficult, cultural, new management Low 3. Higher air temperatures and Increased extreme events lead to increased watershed damage (fall, winter, spring) HighMore buffer zones More vegetation More deciduous trees More sedimentation ponds More infiltration galleries All can be done Very expensive Low 4. 4a Increased occurrence of wind storms and intense rain events lead to water contamination (summer, winter) Bacteria = turbidity (???) Moderate high Biofilters Vegetated buffers Biowater (???) Wetlands (combined with above) Start tomorrow planning Minimise impervious surface No more pavement Household filters (POE) Some easy Some hard Possible/practical Some resources Moderate 5. Extreme rainfall events, increased occurrence of wind storms and snow storm frequency lead to power loss and water supply interruption (spring, summer, winter) Very highBackup system/standby power plant Alternative energy system/water system Redundancy (??) Underground power lines/utilities Wider right of ways/buffers (don’t like it) Run of river – Kaslo river, need fish ladder Moderate Possible Quite expensive $$ Possible, better in future, prices go up. cost / kwh too low. 6. Extreme cold events, decreased winter snowfall and less snow insulation lead to water infrastructure damage (frozen water pipes) (late fall, early winter) HighBlow snow on pipes Bury deeper Permit stage – pipe burial depth minimum Water run in pipes High head thickness (barrier) Old pipes are leaking anyway. Dig up and bury deeper.

Providing a chance for Kaslo/Area D to become a more resilient, equitable and just community