Climate projections for the Okanagan region
Date
2020-02
Authors
Regional District of North Okanagan
Regional District of Central Okanagan
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Pinna Sustainability
Natural Resources Canada
Okanagan Basin Water Board
Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC)
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Abstract
Climate change is challenging ecosystems, communities, and the economy. Wildfires, flooding, and drought have already overwhelmed local infrastructure, caused economic losses, and posed health risks to communities. Significant effort to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels as quickly as possible will slow, and has the potential to curb, climate change by the late century, making greenhouse gas emissions reductions a central part of any long-term adaptation strategy. Designing to current and future climate parameters is markedly more cost effective than reacting to climate shocks and stresses over time. This report is intended to support a local understanding of how climate across the Okanagan is projected to change, and inform regional planning on how to prepare for future climate events. This work is critical to maintaining wellbeing, including robust ecosystems, a thriving community, and a vibrant economy. Early efforts to prepare infrastructure and communities to climate change will reduce regional reliance on continued emergency management activations and support the ability of the region to thrive over time.
Description
Keywords
regional climate assessment, UN SDG 13: Climate Action
Citation
Regional District of North Okanagan, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, Pinna Sustainability, Natural Resources Canada, Okanagan Basin Water Board, & Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC). (2020). Climate projections for the Okanagan region. https://www.rdco.com/en/environment/resources/Documents/2020---OK_Climate_Projections_Report_Final.pdf