John Slater (120p) – Parliamentary Secretary for Water
Mitigation and adaptation are both necessary and complementary strategies to cope with the climate change challenge. Green infrastructure enables local governments to prepare for and adapt to climate change.
Rain to Resource Workshop – logo
While designs for such features would vary from the “wet” coast to the dry interior of B.C., the concept is basically the same. Not only do they capture rainwater, they are also more attractive than asphalt or concrete.
Cities are shifting at ambitious scales to green infrastructure because it is viewed as an effective means to mitigate environmental and social impacts. “Water sustainability will be achieved through implementation of green infrastructure policies and practices. How we get there requires a change in mind-set,” states John Finnie.
NYC Green Infrastructure Plan – cover (360p) – October 2010
The advantage of the green infrastructure approach is that it delivers the same degree of water retention as “grey,” but at a much lower price. When coupled with the traditional approach, it will allow the city to reduce sewer overflows into its waterways by 40% by 2030.
Cold water creek with marsh marigolds
Greenseams Program – Wisconsin
The program makes voluntary purchases of undeveloped, privately owned properties in areas expected to have major growth in the next 20 years and open space along streams, shorelines and wetlands.
According to Kevin Lagan, the dramatic change in site characteristics meant rainwater runoff had to be captured to maintain a before development hydrologic regime, if the project was to avoid downstream impacts.
“Right now the Lower Mainland of British Columbia leads any other region in both Canada and the United States in reversing the rush to global climate collapse. It is therefore up to a new generation to coalesce around a common vision for the future — a common vision deeply grounded in the pioneering efforts of the previous generation,” states Patrick Condon.
CRD Headquarters Building
In the Autumn of 2007, the CRD Headquarters Building Phase Two was awarded the Canadian Green Building Council’s prestigious LEED®: Gold designation.
“Climate change significantly raises the risk of rain-generated floods and infrastructure failure. To maintain current levels of service, drainage infrastructure will need to be modified and upgraded,” says Chris Jensen.
“It's altogether clear that the way we make our buildings and the way we arrange them, one in relation to the next, is responsible for at least 50 per cent of the greenhouse gas production currently,” states Patrick Condon.
