December 8, 2015 - Thunder Bay City Council officially approved the City's new Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in principle last night.

"As a City Councillor, a father, a husband, a scientist and an educator, I am very proud that our City has solidified its commitment to address climate change at a local level," said Councillor Andrew Foulds, Chair - EarthCare Advisory Committee. "In doing so, we are leaders in our region, our country and our world, and we should all be very proud of what has been accomplished so far."

The Strategy is divided into seven strategic directions:

  • Integrate climate adaptation considerations into plans, policies, procedures, projects and investment decisions
  • Assess potential threats to understand the risks of climate change impacts
  • Increase the resilience of municipal infrastructure and natural landscapes
  • Provide information, tools, and training on climate adaptation to facilitate and accelerate action
  • Plan for the financing and long-term implementation of adaptive actions
  • Investigate opportunities to increase the resilience of the region through networks and strategic collaboration
  • Continue to plan for efficient response to and recovery from extreme weather events

"The Strategy will guide the City as it prepares for, responds to, and recovers from the impacts of climate change," said Curniss McGoldrick, EarthCare Climate Adaptation and Communication Coordinator. "Cities around the world are experiencing more-frequent extreme weather events due to climate change, and it's vital that we begin to take these events into account as we design and build infrastructure."

The Strategy was developed over a two-and-a-half year period, and included input from City staff and community stakeholders. Monday's vote saw the strategy approved in principle; it will be ratified at a future meeting of City Council.

Residents can learn about the Strategy at a special open house on Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Prince Arthur Hotel. The event runs from 4-6 pm, with a presentation at 4:30 pm. Admission is free.

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Contact: Curniss McGoldrick, EarthCare Climate Adaptation and Communication Coordinator, 252-8852