What will Castlegar’s weather be like in 2040, or 2070? That’s a question a group of concerned citizens and experts are trying to answer with the support of the City and the Columbia Basin Trust.

On Feb. 4, around 25 people gathered at the Community Forum to listen to several presentations and brainstorm on the effects of climate change in Castlegar.

George Penfold was the facilitator for the event. Penfold is the Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development at Selkirk College. He noted how climate has already shown signs of change in Castlegar.

“Daily, there are observations that things are happening,” said Penfold, pointing out that in 1949 the river froze solid in Castlegar. Winter temperatures used to be colder on average.

Climate change is a reality residents will have to deal with, he said. “We live in it.”

CBT manager of water initiatives Kindy Gosal discussed the future impacts of changing precipitation rates. Water was a common theme throughout the seminar.

Climate change experts who attended included Stewart Cohen, an employee of Environment Canada who works in the adaptation and impacts research division. He is also employed by the UBC department of forest resources management.

David Lapp, professional practice manager of Engineers Canada and Hans Schreier, UBC professor of resources, environment and sustainability also attended.

Cohen gave a presentation on the possible changes that could be expected with warmer, wetter winters and drier summers, due to an earlier snowmelt projected by scientists. He presented models on stream flow changes, glacial retreat, changing tree species and increased fire risk.

While many of the changes could bring obvious problems such as fire and flood risk, droughts and loss of habitat for animals, scientists have also identified benefits to come from an altered climate. There could be increased agriculture possibilities and other possibilities.

Climate change projections generally agree that the region will grow wetter with more rain, but less snow. The projection is derived from similar changes that have already been happening.

There has been a 20 per cent reduction in spring snow levels since 1950 levels, said Cohen.

Temperatures in the Kootenays have risen by an average of 1.5 C. There has been an increase of 32 per cent more rain, with four per cent less snow, that the average.

Cohen said there will be unexpected surprises as part of climate change. He used the example of the pine beetle, a natural control organism which thrived as a result of wildfire prevention and warming temperatures, creating an enormous forest fire hazard.

Cohen said the two goals of the dialogue and planning for climate change should be adaptation and mitigation. Adapting to climate change and preventing it can go hand in hand, he explained.

Cohen encouraged participants to anticipate scenario-based changes and surprises, and to plan for the “long haul”.

Lapp focused his presentation on adapting civic infrastructure to take into account the effects of climate change. According to Lapp, climate change affects engineers’ ability to safely and effectively design infrastructure for the future.

A group known as the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC), of which Lapp is a member, helps communities adapt their infrastructure to stand up to climate change and bear the added load of new possible stresses. Lapp discussed an example of one project the PIEVC has worked on – a water treatment facility in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. The PIEVC helped the community create proper power backups and make structural adaptations.

Following presentations, the participants split into five groups with facilitators to discuss various topics including buildings, agriculture and electricity. The groups rotated regularly and then pooled their findings at the end of the seminar.

The Feb. 4 event marked the first step in a long-term planning session undertaken by Castlegar to consider adaptations to climate change.

Castlegar is not the first community in the Kootenays to undergo a climate change planning session. The communities of Kimberley and Elkford completed plans last year. Castlegar has been paired with Kaslo and Rossland this year. The session will last until July, when a plan will be drawn up by the city for climate change adaptation.

A steering committee will be selected to help guide the process over next several months.

Kristin Aasen, sustainability management facilitator, who is organizing the Adapting to Climate Change plan, said the initial session was a success.

“That was the one universal feedback, that people would like to have more time to have those discussions around the impact,” said Aasen.

She said more public consultation is necessary before any major further steps can be taken.

“We still have to choose our priorities, and then do a sensitivity analysis and risk assessment on those priority areas. And that will help us to identify adaptation actions, but we definitely need more feedback on what those priorities are,” said Aasen.

“We’re hoping to have public events in March and April.”

The members of the early steering committee are a group of individuals who have multiple roles and talents. “Everybody who is on it sort of wear several hats,” said Aasen. “They represent various community groups. Each of them represents at least two or three different communities. They’re really effective, because they’re able to think from a variety of perspectives.”

“They bring a lot to the table without having a steering committee of like 80 people.”

“The groups we have at the table - we have representation from city side, from development services, transportation, civic works, emergency services, social services, Rotary, the chamber (of commerce), a couple who are on the citizens’ conservation council, youth representation, seniors, recreation, parks and trails, (and) development. And this is all, including our council representatives, 13 people including me,” said Aasen.

“It was sort of inspiring because I’m new to Castlegar, so I’ve just been getting advice from people on how to approach the process.”

Aasen is seeking people’s thoughts from all walks of life. “I’d like to get people who don’t really care about the environment,” she added.

Castlegar is fortunate to be able to afford the time and space for the Adapting to Climate Change planning process, said Aasen. Many communities do not have the opportunity.

“The city is so lucky. We’re so lucky to be looking at this,” she said.

Aasen welcomes curious residents to contact her at kaasen@castlegar.ca or 250-365-8955.