Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term changes in weather patterns. Global warming is a measure of climate change and describes increases in the earth's average temperature over time. Human activities in the last 100 years, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the air, which contributes to global warming and changing weather patterns.

Our community contributes to climate change in two main ways:

• Heating and cooling buildings with natural gas or other fossil fuels
• Transportation of people and goods using petroleum

To be resilient means to be able to prepare for, resist and recover from damage or negative impacts. A resilient community plans ahead and maintains a balance of strength and flexibility. 

• For example, a healthy tree with strong roots can withstand heavy winds and drought. Trees also gain resilience (i.e. to pests, disease and extreme weather) when they exist in a diverse community – a forest.

By building up our resilience, Richmond Hill can deal with the negative impacts of climate change while helping to address its root causes. Our natural environment already contains resilient features, such as the Oak Ridges Moraine, rivers and streams, forests, wetlands, and wildlife. Our built environment contains resilient features as well:  parks and open spaces, walking and cycling options, community gardens, and stormwater management. 

Resilience in the face of climate change involves two broad responses:

• Mitigation – lowering greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. For example, walking and cycling instead of using a gas-powered vehicle can decrease emissions and traffic congestion, while improving physical and mental health.   
• Adaptation – preparing for and dealing with the impacts of climate change. For example, stormwater controls can decrease the risk of flooding by managing increased amounts of water from large storms and quickly melting snow.

Extreme weather events in Richmond Hill pose risks to our property and our safety. The information below can help residents prevent and prepare for these costly impacts. 

Flooding

Basement flooding from increased precipitation and storm intensity is the top climate change cost in Canada. The average cost of a flooded basement is $43,000. Taking steps to prevent flooding can save expensive repair costs, increase the “insurability” of your home, and protect living spaces for many renters in our community.

• Check out this one-page “Home Flood Protection” guide from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation (also available in simplified and traditional Chinese).
• Use the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)’s floodplain map viewer to determine if you live in a flood-vulnerable area.
• Sign up to receive warning messages through the TRCA’s flood messaging system.
• Consider adding a rain garden to your property, to help manage runoff (rainwater) from smaller weather events and reduce the amount of runoff entering the City’s stormwater system.

Heat

Heat stress brought on by hotter summer days and longer heat waves can be problematic for many residents, and even lethal for some. Highly developed areas dominated by “hardscaping” (paved or impermeable surfaces) often intensify the temperatures through the urban heat island effect. Residents in houses and multi-residential units can make simple changes to better manage this impact.

• Check out the one-page “Home Heat Protection” and “Apartment and Condo Heat Protection” guides from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
• Visit York Region Public Health to learn more about extreme heat impacts and how to manage them.

Emergency Preparedness

Richmond Hill’s Fire and Emergency Services maintains an Emergency Plan for the community. Their Emergency Preparedness page contains useful information for severe weather impacts, including flooding, power outages, and health emergencies.

The City of Richmond Hill has additional information regarding extreme weather on the following web pages:

• Storm and Severe Weather Information
• Stormwater Management

• June 2018 Staff Report - Proposal to Advance Richmond Hill's Climate Change Mandate
• February 2020 Staff Report - Richmond Hill Climate Change Actions
• November 2020 Staff Report - Proposed Climate Change Framework
  • Attachment 1: Climate Change Framework 2020 Booklet
  • Attachment 2: Climate Change Framework Information Sheet
• May 26 2021 Staff Report - Final Community Energy and Emissions Plan
  • Attachment 1: Final CEEP
  • Attachment 2: Low-Carbon Technical Report
  • Attachment 3: Climate Change Conversation Toolkit

• Corporate Energy Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Plan
• Corporate Environment Management System
• Sustainable Land Development
• Clean Air Council
• FCM Partners for Climate Protection Program
• Community Tree Plantings and Stewardship Events
• Valleyland restoration
• Community Garden Program
• Pollinator Program