Photo by Whitehorse Star
John Striecker
Climate change study finds sunny reception on council
City council unanimously passed the WhiteCAP project, a study into the effects of local climate change, at its regular meeting on Nov. 14.
City council unanimously passed the WhiteCAP project, a study into the effects of local climate change, at its regular meeting on Nov. 14.
"I think it's great news,” said John Striecker, a professional engineer at Yukon College and president of the Green Party of Canada.
"We ran this as a community-based pilot project, and the City of Whitehorse is beginning to see the value in it and will see what projects they can use it for.”
The $200,000 project was drafted by the Northern Climate ExChange at the Yukon Research Centre.
Participating were the City of Whitehorse, the Yukon government, the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Yukon Conservation Society. Funding came from the Canada Northern Strategy Trust.
"Overall, it's a step toward making the city more resilient and more sustainable and those are good moves overall. The report is just based on good, solid thinking,” said Striecker.
He hopes the City of Whitehorse will use WhiteCAP and other climate change research to phase information about climate change into future city planning and decision-making.
"I think the city are going to look to the smart money decisions initially,” said Striecker.
"When it comes to replacing infrastructure, emergency preparedness, land planning, they'll need to integrate this knowledge and think long-term.”
The report states that the local climate has warmed by about two degrees C over the last 50 years.
A precipitation increase of between 14 and 22 per cent by 2050 is predicted, as well as increased variability, which could lead to flooding and a higher risk of forest fires.
The report also points out some positive qualities of climate change in the community, including an expanded growing season as well as increases in tourism to the area, said Striecker.
Some changes to language have been made since the project was first introduced to city council last August.
The report no longer makes reference to "frost-free days,” instead emphasizing a general warming of the local climate.
That will bring a higher number of days of above-freezing temperatures and a slowly warming climate.
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Comments (4)
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Francias Pillman on Nov 26, 2011 at 7:54 am
Bobby is right. I'm glad there are people out there questioning this scam. If the average person actually took some time to do their own research and stop listening to what the TV tells them, you would find out that this whole GW agenda is nothing but CONTROL. it's nothing about "saving the environment" The UN has very dark plans for us if you want to believe it or not. Let the personal attacks commence because that seems to be what the majority of the public does against someone who dares have an opinion that differs from the TV or so-called experts. What's the chances of climate change and global warming having 13 letters each? To someone who has no knowledge of the occult you will dismiss that as just a coincidence. To someone who truly wants to know the truth, that is a starting point for your study's. Google "The Iron Mountain Report" You will be pleasantly surprised. Of course they call it a hoax. But is it? Instead or war, the environment will be used to control the masses. Makes a lot of sense to me because it is something that can be disguised as "good" while still fulfilling it's dark agenda.
Everything I said above do not believe. Do not believe it until "you" go do your own research. Confirm what I have said with your research. I think that is totally fair and proves I'm not imposing my view on you. But if you don't do any research and find it easier to use personal attacks, then in my eyes you are the one who lost.
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north of 60 on Nov 25, 2011 at 9:43 am
Another waste of tax dollars on a so called 'study' by self proclaimed 'climate change experts' to generate more Green Party propaganda. Think of what $200,000 could have done to actually address real issues.
Oh well, if the taxpayer wasn't funding these 'experts' they might have to actually get real world jobs and become productive citizens instead of well paid spin-masters.
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Iccycle on Nov 25, 2011 at 6:39 am
2 deg rise in temp and some things will be better off when it's warmer. 14 to 22 percent increase in precipitation, maybe more fires or floods. This information is impressive ... and all for only 200,000. Very impressive indeed. It's good to know there are folks out there working hard on this and producing some critical information that will ultimately save the day in the long run. It's also good to know how things will be in 2050. Money well spent for sure.
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bobby bitman on Nov 25, 2011 at 3:44 am
There is so much controversy about the global warming industry that I am no longer a believer in the phenomena on the whole. People seeking funding say one thing, people seeking a continuation of the norm say another. One suggestion to explain temperature 'increases' is that these readings are now being taken at airports where temperatures are often higher due to the tarmacs heating up more than normal ground.
Spending $200,000 on a study about supposed global warming in Whitehorse seems like a waste to me.
People should not pollute regardless. And I think the bigger issue facing us is the destruction of life in the oceans. We are ignoring bigger issues, that's my two cents worth.