Climate Action & Environment

Yes, that is true! The climate is always changing.

Our planet is a dynamic and ever-shifting network of systems which results in the transfer of massive sources of energy, and the change-in-state of resources, between the earth, water, air and fire. Think of natural disasters such as Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Hurricanes, and Lightning Storms, etc.  

This webpage does not attempt to go into full detail regarding the many natural processes which take place, for the basic and common understanding is that our planet is “always changing”. 

However, despite this, we do find ourselves in an increasingly complex digital world, where some of the realities of climate change have unfortunately become confused and distorted; in effect, downplaying the significance of human-related activities on the natural world in which we live. In this regard, we need to be mindful of the cumulative effects of our human populations, as we continue to disrupt and alter these natural systems and processes; at the same time as releasing harmful emissions and toxic deposits, into our increasingly polluted and vulnerable atmosphere, waterbodies, and soils.         

The potential effects of increased emissions, and the ability of Green House Gases to trap and retain heat within our global atmosphere - while contributing to Climate Change - has also been well understood for over a century. Atmospheric modelling confirms that global emissions were relatively stable until the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the late nineteenth century. 

Although industrialization has fueled much of the ‘growth’ we now see; the burning of Coal, plus other Fossil Fuels, has disproportionately affected the make-up of our atmosphere. Furthermore, the predicted effects of historic emissions, and the environmental effects of those emissions on our changing planet (i.e. the melting of the polar Ice Caps) are in many ways considered ‘latent’, meaning the full effects of some emissions released decades ago have yet to be realized. 

But all is not lost!

What we do have on our side is the ability of humans to think big, and to apply science as a way to overcome identified issues and challenges. Think for example how, in the 1970s, concerns were raised about the effects of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) on the stratospheric ozone layer, and how this resulted in a “hole” appearing annually in the ozone layer above the South Pole. Without a functioning atmosphere, all forms of life would find it hard to survive on Planet Earth.

In response, several countries, including the United States, chose to ban the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as aerosol propellants. The hole in the ozone layer is now understood to be reducing in size annually and is predicted to fully recover as soon as 2066.

Some of the existing and predicted effects of increased Green House Gases in our atmosphere, here in Northern Ontario, include: 

• Less predictable winters - including a mix of colder, milder, wetter, and sometimes drier conditions - impacting snowfall, snowmelt, ice, groundwater retention, and surface water run-off rates, and causing regular disruption and damage to property and infrastructure. This affects the annual budget for sand and salt quantities. Unpredictable events also make it harder to budget staff time; while the freeze / thaw cycle results in more potholes.   
• More extreme summers - including hotter / drier conditions, but also extreme rainfall events, resulting in periods of heat stress, droughts, wildfires, and flash flooding - resulting in further damage / destruction, and the increased risk to both human life and property. The fire department has special training for wildlife fires. These also require the Township to have additional resources and vehicles such as the gator; and longer fires require additional bunker gear expenses to name a few. The summer heat also means that public parks may require additional cutting or grass seeding.

But the real effects of Climate Change, and unmitigated development are much more than what are often described as “weather-related” events:

• Biodiversity: Changing environmental conditions directly impact local area biodiversity, disrupting natural food chains, while increasing the risk to threatened and endangered species. For further information on the potential effects of Climate Change on local area biodiversity, please refer to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Environment websites for reference.   
• Food Security: Increased heat stress, and a notable decline in pollinators such as Bees, are also directly impacting our ability to grow food as a human species. The Township of Bonfield is actively working on programs and plans to both enhance and restore local area farms and build a more robust agri-business network. Stay tuned for further details.
• Flooding and Water Quality: Increased flooding and deforestation can contribute to erosion, including sensitive locations such as shorelines. This directly affects the water quality of local area lakes, resulting in deoxygenation and algae blooms which adversely impact local fish populations and drinking water.
• Droughts and Forest Fires: Increasingly arid conditions can set the scene for water use restrictions, droughts, forest fires, and fire bans. Droughts and forest fires present a significant risk to both the quality and safety of human life - with potentially devastating consequences. This affects our Fire Department and farming activities including food security.
• Invasive and Infectious Species: Warmer climates also create the optimum conditions for invasive species including Japanese Knotweed and Phragmites, which can cause significant damage to buildings, infrastructure, and local area ecosystems. Warmer waters and conditions can also accelerate the breeding of harmful insects, carrying infectious diseases (i.e. Ticks / Lyme Disease). For further information on the health-related effects of Climate Change, refer to the Climate Change page published on the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s website for reference. 

The above are just some of the climate-related impacts which could apply to residents within the Township of Bonfield. 

Over time, without a coordinated plan of action, local residents could increasingly be affected by the social and economic effects of our changing climate, including public health and well-being (i.e. poor breathing, due to diminished air quality from wildfires); or reduced incomes (i.e. the effects of unpredictable weather patterns on seasonal tourism industries, including local area businesses).    

Climate change is a global crisis that has become a growing threat to our planet in recent years. Recognizing this threat, Canada has implemented national policies, and carbon management strategies, alongside climate action plans with robust emission-reduction targets. 

At the same time, Canada is taking a lead on Global Biodiversity Initiatives and is actively collaborating with its international allies on the development of clean energy pathways; while supporting new investments in the research and development of clean technologies. 

One of the main international climate agreements signed in recent times was the Paris Agreement of 2016; through which, Canada initially committed to a Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduction target of 30% by 2030 based upon 2005 levels, and an 80% reduction by 2050. Building upon this commitment, the GHG reduction target was further strengthened at the COP29 Summit to 40% by 2030, and Net Zero by 2050. 

For its part, the Province of Ontario has set similar emission reduction targets of 37% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. 

For further information on national commitments, refer to the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, which outlines Canada’s plan to fight climate change, while supporting sustainable development and economic growth.

Understandably, achieving these targets will require coordinated and persistent action by all levels of government and society-at-large. The Township of Bonfield is committed to supporting the Federal and/or Provincial Governments in their efforts to decarbonize the Canadian Economy; and will do its part to assist Canada, and the Province of Ontario, by setting and working towards our own Green House Gas emission reduction targets.