Ontario adapting to climate change

Better Farming (Canada): While it faces challenges in reducing greenhouse gases, Ontario is doing better with its strategy to adapt to change, Ontario’s environmental commissioner says.

Following the release of his report - Ready for Change? an assessment of Ontario’s climate change adaptation strategy - at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, Gord Miller observed in a news release that “the Ontario government is off to an encouraging start in preparing the province for the impacts of climate change.”

While he endorsed the government’s plan, Climate Ready, Ontario’s Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, 2011-2014, Miller’s news release said “there are gaps in its strategy to limit the damage that will be caused by fiercer and more frequent ice storms, heavy rains, and heat waves.” He says in his report that the government must prioritize required actions, set targets and timelines and outline responsibilities of key government ministries.

“In essence,” Miller’s report says, “a successful strategy should focus on what new things need to be done, as well as look for ways to improve those actions already underway.”

Miller complains in his report that, “Climate Ready identifies decisive actions to address adaptation needs in Ontario, but fails to clearly indicate how these will be prioritized for implementation over the four-year timeframe of the strategy.”...

For all the heraldry buffs out there: That's Ontario's coat of arms