Canada/Edmontonians want more climate action from next city council

In the midst of municipal election campaigns, some Edmontonians are putting the climate issue at the heart of their priorities.

The development of effective climate policies is generally based on two fundamental concepts: mitigation and adaptation.

Earth and atmospheric scientist Neal LaMontagne defines mitigation and adaptation as the two ways of responding to climate change.

The role of mitigation is to reduce our impact, which really means reducing our energy intensity. This approach directly targets the sources of emissions, mainly through the way we move and construct our buildings.

Adaptation is about responding to a changing climate and ensuring that we can manage shocks and stresses. The most concrete example is the need to design buildings capable of maintaining coolness during heat waves.

He sees these two concepts as complementary pillars of any robust municipal climate strategy, leading inevitably to the question of what role cities can play.

Municipalities on the front line

Despite their position in the government hierarchy, municipalities find themselves on the front line in the fight against climate change.

Both experts agree that cities are particularly well placed to take action.

According to Sandeep Agrawal, professor and director of the Alberta Land Institute, the municipality is the level of government closest to the people, enabling it to understand and respond quickly to their day-to-day needs.

Neal LaMontagne points out that many of the biggest generators of climate impact are to be found at municipal government level.

Transportation is one of the largest sub-sectors in terms of greenhouse gas intensity.

A quote from Neal LaMontagne, Earth and atmospheric scientist

Municipalities can also influence building design to require better energy performance, including more insulation, fewer windows perhaps, or more efficient windows, he explains.

Although cities are constrained by provincial building codes, Professor LaMontagne explains that they can incorporate measures such as ensuring buildings are solar-ready or that parking lots can accommodate electric vehicles.

A clear and present danger for Edmonton

Sandeep Agrawal believes that climate change is not a future threat, but a reality [...] a clear and present danger that is already affecting the daily lives of residents.

Edmonton is experiencing ever-increasing temperature variations, ranging from +40°C to -40°C, which he believes calls into question its traditional title of winter city.

He explains that materials such as concrete and asphalt absorb heat, creating areas where temperatures are excessively warm, amplifying the impact of heat waves.

He also points out that extreme weather events, such as torrential rains, threaten to overwhelm critical infrastructure, including stormwater management systems.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/