“Designing with nature captures the essence of climate change adaptation. Adaptation is about responding to the changes that will inevitably occur. Adaptation is at the community level and is therefore about collaboration. Rainwater management is at the heart of designing with nature,” stated John Slater.
“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.
“Green infrastructure is a fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable answer to today’s water challenges. It manages rainwater by treating it like a resource – and it works with nature, rather than against it,” writes Gart Belan.
The report examined the current state of key infrastructure set against the context of the urgent need to shift towards a low carbon economy and the reality of government spending constraints.
“We have committed to creating a unique and dynamic, “energy-smart” community and the Upper Gibsons Geo-exchange Utility is just one example of how we will achieve this objective. The Town truly appreciates the recognition that the honour of receiving CEA’s award provides,” stated Barry Janyk.
When the Township of Langley hosted the second event in “Showcasing Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver: The 2007 Series”, Ryan Schmidt reported out on the Township's five milestones for implementing its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.
In 2006, the Township adopted a Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan, making it one of the first municipalities in the Metro Vancouver region to do so. The Township hopes to assume a leadership role within the Partners for Climate Protection Program.
In 2002, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the City of Nanaimo joined the Partners for Climate Change Program. This innovative program to address climate change at the local level is led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives-Local Governments for Sustainability.
