The world is heating up and weather patterns are shifting as climate change drives an uncertain future. At the City of St. Catharines, we recognize that we have a role to play in combating human-driven climate change. In 2019, City council declared a climate emergency.
We are taking steps to ensure a sustainable future for its residents. Environmental stewardship is a core pillar of our Strategic Plan. We're working on innovative, sustainable approaches to mitigate the causes of climate change, and adapt to the impacts of it.
Mitigation efforts |
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Mitigation is focused on the reduction and prevention of greenhouse gas emissions, alongside other efforts, to reduce the rate of climate change. The City has committed to a 30 per cent reduction in energy use and a 45 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan. This includes:
To date the City also has:
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Adaptation efforts |
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Adaptation is aimed at reducing the consequences of climate change by responding proactively towards associated impacts, risks and vulnerabilities. Despite our efforts to reduce carbon pollution, we need to ensure we are prepared for the impacts of a changing global climate. To date the City has:
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Climate change will impact areas across Canada and around the globe differently. Here in St. Catharines, scientists predict more heat, more precipitation and more extreme weather.
Heat |
Rising general temperatures and increasing heatwaves means we need to protect staff working outdoors and the public. Programs and services, such as cooling centres, offering heat relief will need to continue, alongside the exploration of new programming and locations. Heat doesn't just impact individuals. With heat comes drought, and current commitments to increasing the urban tree canopy, alongside planting of native, drought-resistant plants will keep our city green. |
Precipitation |
Precipitation is expected to increase in all seasons but the summer. With increases comes the risk of flooding. More precipitation necessitates more investments in stormwater infrastructure, as well as engaging the public on ways to reduce stormwater runoff at home. Natural assets, such as local watercourses and Lake Ontario, also need to be focused on, with efforts to protect shorelines, prevent erosion and protect public safety. |
Extreme weather |
Extreme weather events are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity. Ensuring municipal operations and communication plans are in place to address these events with effective response procedures is a priority for the City. Essential services delivered by the City should be able to continue even through an extreme event to increase municipal resilience. |
There are many ways that you can fight climate change. From driving less to reducing emissions and choosing meals based on their carbon footprint, taking action against climate change is easy. Explore some ways that you can help!
Food |
The production of food has major impacts on the environment through emissions. You can make choices to limit the impact of your diet on the climate and environment. You can be climate conscious in the kitchen by:
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Transportation |
On the way to work, school or just out and about for some weekend fun, simple changes in the way you get around can make a dent in the fight against climate change. You can:
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Home |
Changes, big and small, around the house can have their own impact in limiting emissions and reducing the impact of changing weather. Households can:
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Participate in Earth Day |
Each year, the City of St. Catharines holds events to help celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Check back for some fun activities that you can take part in. |
Educate yourself on climate change |
A little education can go a long way. There are multiple opportunities to learn more about climate change and get involved. You can:
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Climate change, often associated with global warming, is a long-term shift in average weather conditions. Scientific consensus points to human beings as the drivers of a current increase in global temperatures.
The cause |
Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, released by the burning of fossil fuels, trap the sun's heat in Earth's atmosphere. At the same time, clear cutting forests for agriculture has drastically impacted the planet's ability to remove these gasses from the atmosphere. This has caused the earth to warm, which is impacting the environment. |
The impact |
While these actions are causing the Earth's average temperature to increase, climate change won't necessarily result in higher temperatures everywhere. Weather systems will change leading to more unpredictable and extreme events such as flooding, drought and severe winter weather. Canada is warming at twice the rate as the rest of the world. In St. Catharines we will see an increase in temperature of three-degrees Celsius by 2050 if nothing is done to cut emissions. According to the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change a global increase of just 1.5-degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels would have drastic and irreversible effects on our climate. |