Global Warming. Presentation to Region of Peel Council TRCA and CVC February 15, 2007

Transcription

1 Global Warming Presentation to Region of Peel Council TRCA and CVC February 15, 2007

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3 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-Report 4 (IPCC) Released February 2, 2007

4 IPCC Report scientific expert reviewers 800+ contributing authors lead authors 130+ countries 6 years work 4 volumes CONSERVATIVE

5 4 th IPCC Report = 4 Parts 1 st : Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Base ; ; Feb 2, 07 2 nd : Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability ; ; April 5, 07 3 rd : Mitigation of Climate Change ; May 4, 07 4 th : Summary; November 16, 07

6 2007 IPCC Report Warming of the climate system unequivocal Expect by degrees to 4 degrees C Mountain glaciers and snow cover declining Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets decreasing Average Arctic sea ice shrinking Arctic permafrost melting Frequency of heavy precip.. events has increased over most lands

7 2007 IPCC Report Cont d Increase of cyclone, hurricanes activity in N. Atlantic and more intense More intense and longer droughts over wider areas since 1970s esp. tropics and subtropics Sea level rise Warming and sea level rise likely to continue for centuries even if gases stabilized Likely hot extremes, heat waves

8 Impacts from land use changes in Peel watersheds will be further exacerbated by global warming

9 Areas of Impact from Land Use Change to Peel Watersheds Relative to Conservation Authority Mandate Flooding and erosion Water quality and quantity Ecosystems

10 Flooding and Erosion

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13 Credit River Flow Management Study Despite the application of stormwater management measures in developing areas throughout the watershed, flow rates continue to increase, causing erosion and placing Damage Centres at risk.

14 Water Quality and Quantity

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19 Water Quality Concerns - cont d Total phosphorus and nitrate above PWQG Water shortages for development in Halton Hills, Orangeville Algal blooms, fish kills along shore Beach closings due to E.Coli Credit River not swimmable

20 Ecosystems, Plants, Animals

21 Degrading Habitats Lower Watershed is showing statistically significant lower bird species richness and abundance when compared to the upper watershed A number of species showing downward trends 40% of aquatic community monitoring sites are showing overall declines in stream health Loss of Green Drake in upper watershed

22 Degrading Habitats cont d Soil in urban woodlands show significantly higher levels of heavy metals with higher temperatures and decomposition (= carbon emissions) Sediments in Rattray Marsh are showing high levels of heavy metals and chemical contaminants Across the watershed, native species are declining and invasive and exotic species are increasing (in Mississauga some communities are in excess of 60 or 70% non- native species) Stressed vegetation is more subject to impacts from disease and pests

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25 Loss of Wetlands in Region of Peel % Cover % 10% 5 3.5% 0 Pre-settlement (circa 1800) Today (1998) Minimum for Ecosystem Health

26 Loss of Woodlands in Region of Peel 88% Pre-settlement (circa 1800) 15% Today (1998) 30% Minimum for Ecosystem Health

27 Impacts Global Warming Peel Watersheds More frequent severe storms/flooding Wetter and drier scenarios impact to water quality and quantity Erosion Ecosystems-increased exotics/invasives; further degradation; reduced species Greater demands on agricultural land, water Need for intensification Need for planting Greater immigration/development pressure Lower Lake Ontario levels

28 Some Potential Climate Change Impacts Terrestrial System Plants and animals will attempt to adapt by moving north - but there are significant barriers! (roads, urban area) With +2 C C over the next 100 years tree species would have to migrate 1 to 3 miles every year, improbably fast except for those whose seeds are spread by birds Grassland birds will shift northwards but habitat not likely to move at same rate resulting in species loss Species relationships may be decoupled by a warming climate (a bird species moves north while it s s food source (e.g. a forest pest) is left behind)

29 Some Potential Climate Change Impacts Aquatic System Sensitive aquatic species (e.g. brook trout) will also attempt to move upstream to maintain temperature conditions the cold water fishery may be lost Increased invasions of non-native native species such as common carp and zebra mussels, fundamentally changing fish communities Lower lake levels will directly affect those species dependant on coastal wetlands High nutrient loads coupled with higher temperatures and longer warm seasons may cause increased algal blooms and reduced oxygen levels

30 Conservation Authority Role in Adapting to Mitigating Climate Change Water management Ecosystem management Environmental education

31 C.A. Role in Adapting to Climate Change 1. Enhance flood warning and prevention programs 2. Ensure flow regime maintained 3. Environmental education, awareness, outreach 4. Protect hazardous areas/green space 5. Promote/conduct retrofit of urban lands 6. Promote low impact development 7. Programs/projects to reduce impervious cover

32 C.A. Role in Adapting to Climate Change 8. Promote adaptation re sewage treatment 9. Implement spills response 10. Coping strategy for climate extremes 11. Expand current monitoring program 12. Assess potential to impact new policies 13. Increase field presence

33 C.A. Role in Adapting to Climate Change 14. Implement subwatershed studies 15. Forest/wetland habitat creation/restoration 16. Terrestrial corridor establishment 17. Aquatic corridor resolution 18. Increase trees planted! 19. Work with landowners re environment 20. Habitat protection 21. Protect representative ecosystems/conservation areas

34 CVC Schedule A A Global Warming Response Enhancement Projects 2007 Water Management Projects Urban Watershed Restoration $699,000 Emergency Preparedness $375,000 Impact Monitoring $300,000 Total Water Projects $1,374,000 Ecosystem Management Projects Conservation Youth Corps $200,000 Nursery Development (Indigenous Trees, Shrubs) $300,000 Peel Rural Non-Farm Environment $ 26,000 Peel Rural Farm Environment $ 50,000 Aquatic & Wetland Habitat Restoration $ 40,000 Terrestrial Ecosystem Enhancement Model (Urban) $ 80,000 Terrestrial Monitoring Impacts $ 30,000 Protection/Preservation 10 + Core Conservation Areas $250,000 Total Ecosystem Projects $976,000 Education Environmental Education - Peel $150,000 Total Education Projects $150,000

35 CVC Schedule A A Global Warming Response Enhancement Projects 2007 Summary Water Projects $1,374,000 Ecosystem Projects $ 976,000 Education Projects $ 150,000 Total Additional Requirement $2,500,000,000

36 TRCA Schedule B B Climate Change Mitigation Enhancement Project 2007 Water Management Projects Watershed Response Plans - including Emergency Response Training $90,000 Hydrometrics - Real Time Web Based Gauging (12 gauges) $140,000 Water Balance Guideline - Low Impact Development (model & tool) Stormwater Management Pond Upper 9 (shared with Brampton - tbc) $240,000 $130,000 Dam Wing Wall Maintenance at Claireville $100,000 Mimico Creek Restoration $150,000 Headwaters (Small Tributary Guidelines) (CVC on steering committee) $50,000 Erosion Site (Etobicoke Creek Private Property) $100,000 Total Water Management Projects $1,000,000

37 TRCA Schedule B B Climate Change Mitigation Enhancement Project 2007 Ecosystem Management Projects Claireville Ecosystem Improvements - Tree Planting & Land Management $550,000 Bolton (North Peel Conservation Lands Priority Actions) $100,000 Terrestrial Recovery Plans - Peel Region Wide $50,000 Centreville Creek - Regeneration Implementation $100,000 Total Ecosystem Management Projects $800,000

38 TRCA Schedule B B Climate Change Mitigation Enhancement Project 2007 Education Projects Albion Hills Field Centre Renovations $150,000 EcoSchools - Program Expansion $125,000 Community Transformation $145,000 Greening Retail, Mayor's Megawatt Challenge, Renewable Energy Plan, Sustainable Schools, Home Energy Clinic, Greening Healthcare Green Building Councils $50,000 Archetype Sustainable House - The Living City Campus $80,000 Focus on Citizen Action to Mitigate/Adapt to Climate Change $50,000 Web Based Learning (e-learning) Pearson Business EcoPark - In Partnership with GTAA $100,000 Total Education Projects $700,000

39 TRCA Schedule B B Climate Change Mitigation Enhancement Project 2007 Projects Summary Water Management Projects $1,000,000 Ecosystem Management Projects $800,000 Education Projects $700,000 Total Additional Requirement $2,500,000

40 Examples of C.A. Projects Identified as New or Enhancements to Existing 10 Year Peel Plan Aquatic Habitat Restoration To save coldwater fishery Flooding & Erosion Response (Enhancement) Credit River Water Management Strategy Implementation (Enhancement) nt) Peel Rural Non-Farm Program Peel Rural Water Quality (Enhancement) Field Enforcement Presence Nursery Conservation Youth Corps. Green Cities Outreach to new Canadians Headwaters Protection Land Care (Enhancement) Sustainable Futures Education Urban Watershed Restoration Terrestrial Ecosystem Enhancement Model (Urban) (Enhancement) Ecological Goods and Services Project (Enhancement)

41 Recommended Resolution WHEREAS the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change has released its report, Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis, and concluded that human activity is indeed responsible for driving global climate change, a conclusion supported by numerous well documented research studies over many years; AND WHEREAS conservation authorities have a mandate and capacity, in partnership with Peel Region, the Province, the Government of Canada and other environmental partners, to deliver projects and programs designed to adapt to and mitigate global climate change and improve the environment; AND WHEREAS global warming will exacerbate the negative impact of land use change on the environment; AND WHEREAS there is an urgent need to accelerate projects that will facilitate the natural environment and human adaptation/mitigation to global warming; AND WHEREAS staff have identified for the Board of Directors of CVC the importance of global climate change adaptation, mitigation and environmental improvements in Peel Region and throughout the watershed;

42 Recommended Resolution - cont d AND WHEREAS Peel Region Council at its meeting held January 25, 2007, demonstrated once again its environmental leadership by directing CVC and TRCA to come back to Regional Council with proposals for projects and programs that would adapt to and mitigate global climate change and make significant environmental improvements in Peel Region; AND WHEREAS for many years Peel Region has funded CVC scientific research which has implementation plans ready to address aspects of global warming; AND WHEREAS the Region of Peel is reviewing and updating its Strategic Plan and these initiatives relate directly to Goal 1: Improve the community s s health, social well-being and safety and to Goal 3: Preserve, protect and enhance Peel s s natural environment and resources ;

43 Recommended Resolution - cont d THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Region of Peel Council demonstrate its continued environmental leadership through the support of the projects and programs of CVC and TRCA, particularly those which take action against global warming, as follows: Approval of TRCA 2007 budget submitted previously to Region of Peel of: $4,693,300 Approval of CVC 2007 budget submitted previously to Region of Peel of: $8,031,180 Approval of additional 2007 funding to take action against global warming in Peel for CVC in the amount of $2.5 million for programs and projects as outlined in Schedule A A (attached) Approval of additional 2007 funding for TRCA to take action against global warming in Peel of $2.5 million for programs and projects as outlined in Schedule B B (attached)

44 Recommended Resolution - cont d Directing CVC and TRCA staff to prepare for Peel Regional Council consideration of a capital and operating budget plan, in consultation with regional staff, that will address global climate change adaptation and mitigation and significantly advance environmental initiatives in Peel Region; such plan to be presented to Regional Council no later than June 30, 2007; and Requesting Peel Regional staff to consider and make allowance for significant financial implications that long-term funding for climate change mitigation may require; and further Directing CVC and TRCA staff to report to Peel Regional Council at least annually on the results and outcomes of the programs and projects that demonstrate their contribution to climate change, adaptation, mitigation and environmental improvements. Requesting Peel Regional Council to incorporate the protection of the natural environment in its advocacy efforts with the provincial government to rebalance roles, responsibilities and funding (including development charges).

45 Liveable Peel: Sustainable Businesses Building Canada s Largest Eco-Industrial Park in Peel Partnerships with business to Retrofit existing industrial area for: Natural Heritage Water Quality Improvements Energy Waste Synergies & Efficiencies Green Economic Development Location