Climate Change in Creston

The International Panel on Climate Change states, “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land. In general, we are seeing more extreme weather events, hotter average temperatures, and melting sea and land ice.

In Creston, we can observationally attest to these changes. For example, during the summer of 2021, Creston experienced extreme heat events with temperatures surpassing 40^oC. In the future, Creston can expect higher average temperatures, more hot days (check out this report for more on heatwaves in Creston), shifts in precipitation patterns, and likely an overall increase in precipitation. These changes are predicted to have damaging impacts such as increased wildfire events, drought, vegetation impacts, and negative water quality impacts.

Creston’s Official Community Plan (2017) sets out the following target commitments:

• 10% reduction from 2007 baseline levels in community-wide emissions by 2020; and,
• 20% reduction from 2007 baseline levels in community-wide emissions by 2030.

Creston did not meet its target for 2020, in fact, we surpassed our Business As Usual (BAU) scenario. The BAU scenario showcases the likely scenario if no behaviours were changed as well as takes growth and development into account. In 2020, the Town of Creston emitted approximately 40,241 tonnes of CO₂e (Carbon dioxide equivalent). We need more aggressive targets and actions to meet our 2030 and 2050 targets.