Workshop on Local Government and Climate Change identifies concern about “climate change silo”
Current Law & Urgent Action
On March 6, 2009 the Centre for Global Environmental and Natural Resource Law at UBC’s Faculty of Law hosted a one-day workshop at Robson Square. The workshop was focused on actions available to local governments in BC to address the impacts of climate change.
“One of the common concerns for many speakers was the human inclination to address issues in isolation – in this case concerning climate change – in effect creating a climate change silo,” writes Jen McCaffrey, a Grants Officer with the Real Estate Foundation of BC, in an online article published by the Communities in Transition Information Resource.
“The issue is real, and must be addressed; but we should be mindful of the need to maintain a broad view of all the pillars of sustainable development and tackle the challenges in a holistic manner in our communities.”
“With a mandate to support sustainable real estate and land use in BC, the Real Estate Foundation has not traditionally been involved in targeted greenhouse gas reduction projects. Nevertheless, the Foundation recognizes the connection between climate change and land use decision-making and in this regard has supported many initiatives throughout its 21 year history to help land use practitioners achieve more sustainable land use decision-making.”
“Our participation in the March workshop is part of the Foundation’s ongoing interest in better understanding how we can support Communities in Transition partner communities to meet sustainable land use goals.”
Need for Transformative Change Highlighted
The day opened with Dr. John Robinson looking at climate change on a global scale and how this translates to the BC setting. He calls for “transformative change,” arguing that we should use public policy to achieve a new economy that meaningfully incorporates sustainability 
principles. In his view, the world will never achieve the necessary changes required to reduce our GHGs if we continue to focus on individual behaviour change. In addition to promoting a new kind of economy, the kind of transformative change needed also requires cultural change at the institutional level.
To Learn More:
ToStaff Report by Jen McCaffrey, click on Current Law & Urgent Action ~ A workshop on Local Government & Climate Change
Posted June 2009