Get ready for the effects of climate change, Winnipeg

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/05/2023 (871 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CLIMATE change is not a problem we can put off until tomorrow, because we are already experiencing the effects today. Across Canada, national news is made by permafrost melt, sea level rise, drought, fire, heat waves, downpours, spring flooding, atmospheric rivers, and an extended hurricane season. While Winnipeg has not experienced a serious wake-up call yet, many Winnipeggers have not been as lucky.

Whether they are climate refugees from other countries or members of First Nations communities evacuated because of spring, many people living in the city know first-hand what it is like to have their lives uprooted by unprecedented weather events. Winnipeg is fortunate to be protected by incredible flood defences, but there are other risks, and the social disruption of a changing climate is already here.

The construction and expansion of the Red River Floodway is a shining example of leadership and foresight. We need similar innovation and creativity as we face the technical and social challenges ahead, while minimizing our contribution to the problem. Our cities’ amenities and layout impact our lives and our climate. Living far from a grocery store affects our food security and carbon footprint. Having affordable and effective public transportation gives us access to jobs and reduces our reliance on burning fossil fuels. A healthy urban forest and vibrant park system provide pleasant places to gather and protect us during heat waves.

The sooner we can adapt our cities to the changing reality, the better off residents will be. Climate Reality Project’s National Climate League Standings provide valuable insights into how cities in Canada are responding to the urgent need for action. It tracks 26 climate, sustainability, and social justice indicators, highlighting cities that performed well in each area.

This year, Winnipeg secured a win in the renewable energy category, with 100 per cent of our electricity coming from renewable sources because of Manitoba’s long-term investment in hydroelectric development. Our clean electricity means anything we electrify reduces emissions. In contrast, jurisdictions that generate power from coal or natural gas simply shift where that fuel is being burned.

However, we must also recognize that this renewable energy has come at a high cost to Indigenous communities, whose traditional territories have been impacted by the hydro dams in northern Manitoba. Furthermore, we need more renewable energy capacity in solar and wind to transition away from using natural gas to heat our homes and gasoline to power our vehicles.

Despite the benefits, there is still much to do, especially in areas such as transportation. For example, Winnipeg ranks last in the number of electric vehicle charging stations among cities of a comparable size.

Winnipeg took a significant step in the right direction last year by adopting the Community Energy Investment Roadmap (CEIR) to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. CEIR states that the city should invest $23 billion over 28 years in energy efficiency, building retrofits, and other changes. In return, the city saves $53.7 billion in avoided costs, provides $35.6 billion in community benefits, and makes nearly $5 billion in revenue.

This kind of investment looks intimidating at first, but imagine if the floodway had never been built because we worried about the cost. Winnipeggers would have experienced massive disruptions in their lives in 1997, 2009, 2011, and 2023. It would have caused billions of dollars in damages. Time has shown us that these investments in our future pay off.

Winnipeg is taking small steps toward a more sustainable future. I hope that the city can learn from the success of the floodway, listen to our fellow citizens who have already been impacted by climate change, look at how other cities are tackling their challenges, and take charge of this fight. We will be far more ready for an uncertain future if we do.

You can learn more about the NCL standings at https://www.climatereality.ca/ncl

Adrian Werner is the regional engagement coordinator for the prairies with Climate Reality Project Canada.