Last week, a report was presented to city council in regard to the city's climate change adaptation strategy. Among other things, the report outlined what Prince George can look forward to as the environment continues to change including a rise in temperatures and more precipitation.
Indeed, the effects of climate change on cities is something that requires further study and planning. However, it is also crucial that local governments realize just how critical their role is in both contributing to and helping to resolve issues around climate change.
According to the C40 Cities, an international network of local governments, cities today consume over two thirds of the world's energy and account for more than 70 per cent of global CO2 emissions. Clearly, local governments cannot sit back. As key decision-makers, they are contributors to the problem, but they can also be - and must be - part of the solution. This involves not only smart planning, but working with and learning from others.
Climate change is the definition of a collective action problem meaning everybody has a role to play. Citizens, industry, and governments have a responsibility to take action if we are to have any success in tackling the problems of the future.
Climate change is not simply an abstract concept that lies solely in the realm of national or international politics. It is also profoundly local. How we choose to heat, power, and electrify our buildings as well as feed and move people is critical to how much greenhouse gas emissions are emitted into the atmosphere.
For this reason, local governments can and should be at the forefront in providing leadership and developing innovative solutions.
Over the past two centuries, the proportion of the world's population living in urban areas has grown from around five per cent to 50 per cent today. As urbanization continues and more people flock to cities, local governments will become responsible for more and more people.
Some local governments have already begun to realize this and are now working together by sharing resources and best practices, while also being advocates for solutions globally. Networks, such as the C40 Cities and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, are bringing together cities both big and small from around the world who fundamentally share the idea that local governments matter.
Climate change may be a global problem, but success in mitigating and adapting to its consequences will require coordinated local action.
Ben Liadsky
Prince George
