Big Changes Ahead - Climate changes will affect everything from the price of cauliflower to your favorite swimming hole

Duncan, BC – Do you remember the last three summers of drought? Well the projections are in and the number of days over 25 °C in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is expected to more than double by 2050. Over the same time our summers will become about 20% drier and winter temperatures will rarely dip below freezing. While this sounds good for that summer BBQ or a break from shoveling, it means real changes ahead. These are some of the climate projections recently developed for the Cowichan Valley. Put this together with what is happening globally and we will likely have a very different world than what we have seen in the past.

“The time for action is now,” says Chair Jon Lefebure. “We have already started to see significant changes to water supply in our region. Adaptation to a changing environment is a complex process and will involve a concerted effort on the part of many players in the community as well as breaking down existing silos in our communities.”

The CVRD is preparing for a changing future under the New Normal Cowichan, a multi-phased program to take action on climate adaptation. It will provide the CVRD with real and specific information of what to focus on; it will also help residents plan in small and large ways.

The first phase of work focuses on projections of future regional climate conditions as developed by the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium. These projections suggest a very different future for the region than has been experienced in the past, including substantial shifts in water resources and temperature. These changes will be profound and affect a wide range of areas of importance to our communities, including water quality and quantity, biodiversity, public health, infrastructure, economic development, and public safety.

The next phase of work will involve specialized assessments of our region’s vulnerability and risks, exercises focused on adapting our infrastructure and public assets as well as identifying and mapping potential flood areas and slope instability. The project will also explore how the Cowichan Valley can protect and enhance our watersheds to buffer against flooding and droughts. This work will result in ongoing recommendations about how local governments, organizations, and the public can be more prepared.

To read the Climate Projections Report visit www.cvrd.bc.ca/climate

To look at the New Normal website visit www.cvrdnewnormalcowichan.ca