“The land development sector is experiencing the consequences of the demographic shift that is occurring society-wide. There is staff turnover; and long-term experience and wisdom is not being passed on to the next generation. Increasingly, it seems that few administrative staff really understand the land development process,” states Jim Dumont.
“Fundamental change in the scope of rainwater/stormwater planning, development standards, construction and operations will only happen if there is a broad understanding as to why the changes are needed, what they are, and how they can be practically implemented,” concludes Erik Karlsen.
“Perhaps, if we make enough estimates of enough factors, the errors in estimation, high and low, will average out to the right answer. This is where voodoo really comes in handy. The good news is that, as Dr. Debo says, ‘Who can prove you are wrong?’ Well, the Omniscient Being can, but is probably busy elsewhere,” writes Andy Reese.
Major floods in Alberta and in the Toronto region in June-July 2013 focused attention on the benefits of green infrastructure in order to adapt to a changing climate. “We have the tools. We have the science-based understanding. We know what works and we know how to implement a design with nature approach. Install green infrastructure that restores the Water Balance. If we focus our efforts on that outcome, we can make it happen,” stated Kim Stephens.
“Green roofs have an immense potential for offsetting carbon emissions originating from building operations. This type of research had not been attempted before. In fact, we are still at the forefront. Although industries are currently able to calculate their carbon emission rates related to building operations, ways to calculate their carbon offset potentials are limited,” says Dr. David Gaumont-Guay.
“Water is the piece that integrates everything that we care about. We are using the phrase water stewardship, not water management. Stewardship is about replacing self interest, dependency and control with service, responsibility and partnership,” stated Lynn Kriwoken.
“Although there is a perception that BC is water-rich, the reality is that we are often seasonally water-short (mainly because of storage limitations) during the period when water demand is heaviest due to lawn and garden irrigation,” state the authors in their opening paragraph.
“More than a decade into the 21st century, the idea of collaborative watershed management has come of age, and watershed groups across the province are eager to participate. It is all about learning to think like a watershed. That is our vision,” emphasizes Oliver Brandes.
