The CVRD is projected to experience an increase in extreme hot days, heatwaves, extreme rainfall, and high winds. While the spring and fall seasons are expected to lengthen, there will be more variability in temperatures. Possible climate risks to the Comox Valley include damage from wildfires or floods, reduced water availability, loss of ecosystems and biodiversity, public health impacts, compromised food production, and negative impacts to quality of life, among others. You can go here for an overview of these impacts.
To help combat this, the CVRD is developing a Regional Climate Action Strategy to increase our collective resilience to the changing climate. Climate change is one of the most critical issues being addressed by governments around the world, including here in the Comox Valley. Climate change action requires both mitigation and adaptation to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to changes that are already taking place.
Climate mitigation is about undertaking actions that reduce GHG emissions in the Comox Valley, helping reduce rising temperatures and limit the overall impacts of climate change.
Climate adaptation is about undertaking actions that support changes to our build and natural environments, technologies, and lifestyles, to ensure that we can thrive as a community in a changing climate.
The goals of the Regional Climate Action Strategy are to formalize a CVRD climate action vision, identify pathways to reduce regional GHG emissions and pursue adaptation efforts, provide high-level policy guidance for the CVRD and its member municipalities on climate mitigation and adaptation, and identify actions that the CVRD can implement, collaborate toward, or advocate for to senior government.
Engagement
While not yet finalized, a lot of engagement has gone into the development of the Climate Action Strategy, including:
- Two Elected Officials’ Forums (EOF) with the five local authorities (K'ómoks First Nation, CVRD, City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, and Village of Cumberland). The first was to introduce the project and hear from elected officials about their thoughts, and the second was to facilitate a panel discussion on risk and liability in relation to climate change. The second EOF was recorded and can be viewed below or on YouTube.
- Ten thematic virtual engagement sessions were held from March to May 2024. Staff from the five local authorities and a variety of community organizations were invited to participate based on their professional role and technical expertise.
- A public survey was shared on the project's Engage Comox Valley page and we received 107 responses
- Youth-engagement was facilitated by a presentation at Lake Trail Community School and participation at the Isfeld Secondary School Eco-Fair. Staff received over 100 surveys from students, helping to show the concerns and climate priorities of our younger generations.