Communities: building resilience to climate change
Each community in southwestern New Brunswick needs to build climate resilience. The region’s physical and economic landscapes are shifting because of climate change. We must shift our perspective and build resilience to these challenges. Building resilience is about more than roads and buildings. It is about our jobs, our health and our wellness. It is about protecting our environment and our people. If we work together, we can succeed in building a more resilient region. Click on a community below to learn more.
Blacks Harbour
Community Profile
Population:
894
Median Age:
45.5
Median Household Income:
50,624
Total Municipal Emissions:
434 T CO2E
Social Vulnerability:
MEDIAN WAGE
Economic Vulnerability:
ECONOMIC DIVERSITY
Fact:
Home to some of the best seafood in Canada with companies like Connors Bros, Clover Leaf Seafoods Company and Cooke Aquaculture.
Climate Risks
Sea Level Rise:
2100 Highest High Water: 4.8 m (+/- 0.5m)
Ocean Biodiversity:
Sea surface temperature change: +3.5°C
Increased ocean acidification
Ecosystem shift and species migration
Freeze-Thaw Cycles:
Increased annual freeze-thaw days (days per year when daily temperature fluctuates between 0°C - 5°C)
Increased Temperature:
Average annual temperatures in New Brunswick have increased by 1.5 °C over the last 100 years
Climate models predict that by 2100, the temperature will increase by 3 - 3.5°C
Adaptive Action
Accomplished
Blacks Harbour installed two new anchoring systems for floating wharves to provide a safer and more efficient working arrangement for fishermen and harbour users (2015).
Blacks Harbour received funding toward new water and sewer services through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (2019).
Proposed
Planning and Policy:
The Village shall enact a zoning by-law that includes a sea level rise overlay zone for the 2100 projection.
The Village should maintain undeveloped land within the Village for rural uses such as agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
The Village should ensure that all areas defined as housing development (R-1, R-2 and MH) incorporate wet area maps and sea level rise maps into project design, planning and development.
Nature and Ecosystems:
The Village should support the reestablishment of the Harbour Authority Program in Eastern Charlotte to be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of wharves.
Residential Properties:
The Village should diligently maintain its safe access to drinking water.
Individual and Public:
The Town will work alongside public health service providers to ensure that they are made aware of the individuals outlined to be of higher vulnerability to climatic pressures and risks.
Grand Manan
Community Profile
Population:
2,360
Median Age:
44.9
Median Household Income:
61,952
Total Municipal Emissions:
303 T CO2E
Social Vulnerability:
HEALTH SERVICES
Economic Vulnerability:
ECONOMIC DIVERSITY
Fact:
Grand Manan has two distinct geological landscapes – the eastern side of the island is composed of Cambrian sedimentary whereas the western side of the island is mainly basalt rock from the Triassic period.
Climate Risks
Sea Level Rise:
2100 Highest High Water: 4.8 m (+/- 0.5m)
Ocean Biodiversity:
Sea surface temperature change: +3.5°C
Increased ocean acidification
Ecosystem shift and species migration
Adaptive Action
Accomplished
Nature Conservancy of Canada protects the Grand Manan migratory bird sanctuary.
Proposed
Planning and Policy:
The Village shall incorporate a zoning by-law that delineates a sea level rise overlay zones for the 2100 projection.
In areas of possible contamination of water or soil quality because of flooding events, the owner(s) of the asset or infrastructure at risk is responsible for relocating the assets away from the floodplain or flood zone.
Nature and Ecosystems:
The Village should work to protect shorelines from erosion using soft shoreline protection.
Public Infrastructure:
The Village will work with the federal government to ensure that the Grand Manan ferry terminal is protected against sea level rise and storm surge.
Residential Properties:
The Village should work with community members in known floodplains or flood zones to assist with building their resilience to flooding.
Individual and Public:
The Village should work alongside public health service providers to ensure that they are made aware of the individuals outlined to be of higher vulnerability to climatic pressures and risks.
Saint Andrews
Community Profile
Population:
1,501
Median Age:
52.8
Median Household Income:
63,232
Total Municipal Emissions:
N/A
Social Vulnerability:
Aging Population
Economic Vulnerability:
Rental Housing
Fact:
Until 1930, the Town of Saint Andrews was an exclusive summer resort town for prominent Americans and Canadians. The Town has always depended on tourism and recreation as major pillars to its economy and community health.
Climate Risks
Sea Level Rise:
2100 HHWLT: 4.8 m (+/- 0.5m)
Ocean Biodiversity:
Sea surface temperature change: +3.5°C
Increased ocean acidification
Ecosystem shift and species migration
Freeze-Thaw Cycles:
Increased annual freeze-that days (days per year when daily temperature fluctuates between 0°C-5°C)
Increased Temperature and Precipitation impacts to water supply:
Chamcook Lake, the town drinking water source, is vulnerable to increase temperature and increased precipitation events. This can result in increased cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms
Adaptive Action
Accomplished
Saint Andrews Community Based Climate Adaptation Plan completed in (2018).
Established Saint Andrews Environmental Advisory Committee in (2019).
Sir James Dunn High School has an active climate change action committee.
Invested in engineered design solutions for sea-level rise at the town wharf in (2018).
Mandated that new developments produce zero net new stormwater runoff.
Sea level rise overlay zone incorporated in new Saint Andrews Municipal Plan.
Proposed
Planning and Policy:
Sea Level Rise overlay zones based on Highest High Water 2050 projections that include limited and set conditions for development as set by the Regional Service Commission.
Natural Infrastructure:
The Town shall utilize municipally-owned land to provide natural infrastructure solutions to climate impacts.
Residential Properties:
The Town should encourage a 2m flood proofing elevation for dwellings in the Sea Level Rise overlay zones.
Individual and Public:
Work with Chamber of Commerce to increase resiliency of businesses on Water Street.
St. George
Community Profile
Population:
1,517
Median Age:
45.3
Median Household Income:
61,472
Total Municipal Emissions:
464 T CO2E
Social Vulnerability:
TRANSPORTATION
Economic Vulnerability:
RENTAL HOUSING
Fact:
St. George is known as the “Granite Town” because of the many granite quarries in and around the town.
Climate Risks
Inland Flooding:
Riverine flooding from the Magaguadavic River
Heavy Precipitation:
In December 2010, the Magaguadavic River swelled from heavy rainfall that resulted in extensive damages, making some roads impassable and closing down schools
Increased Temperature:
Average annual temperatures in New Brunswick have increased by 1.5°C over the last 100 years.
Climate models predict that by 2100, the temperature will increase by 3 to 3.5°C
AdapTive Action
Accomplished
Created floodplain risk zones in which development required applicant to completed an indemnification waiver (2014).
Updated the municipal emergency response plan in (2015).
National Research Council completed advanced hydrological study of the lower Magaguadavic River (2015).
Repaired 8 of the 14 lift stations within Town (2016).
Built a new municipal water reservoir (2015).
Constructed new drinking water wells and improved existing wells (2019).
Improved sewer and water mains along Carleton and Portage streets (2019).
Upgraded wastewater treatment plant (2019).
Proposed
Planning and Policy:
The Town shall extend policies prohibiting structures built near a watercourse or water body from 10m to 20m.
Nature and Ecosystems:
The Town shall work with those residential property owners who are interested in maintaining beehives.
Residential Properties:
The Town should share the Building for Climate Change guidebook provided by the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission to affected property owners.
Individual and Public:
The Town shall work closely with senior care providers, senior service centers and senior residences, to ensure that the senior population are a priority for effective public health adaptation planning.
The Town shall work closely with local non-profit organizations, and public schools to help adapt the youth population to concerns relating to eco-anxiety and climate change.
St. Stephen
Community Profile
Population:
4,415
Median Age:
47.9
Median Household Income:
47,488
Total Municipal Emissions:
1,768 t CO2e
Social Vulnerability:
FOOD SECURITY
Economic Vulnerability:
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Fact:
St. Stephen was once one of the biggest ship building centres in Atlantic Canada.
Climate Risks
Sea Level Rise:
2100 Highest High Water: 4.8m (+/- 0.5m)
Freeze-Thaw Cycles:
Increased annual freeze-thaw days (days per year when daily temperature fluctuates between 0°C-5°C)
Increased Temperature and Precipitation impacts to water supply:
Average annual temperatures in New Brunswick have increased by 1.5°C over the last 100 years
Climate models predict that by 2100, the temperature will increase by 3 to 3.5°C
Adaptive Action
Accomplished
Completed stormwater infrastructure upgrades in the Bell subdivision area.
Enacted a backflow prevention system by-law for all new construction.
Incorporated a zero-net increase in stormwater in development agreements.
Completed a flood risk assessment of the Billy Weston Brook (2015).
Installed rain gardens in two locations (2015).
Installed larger culverts under railway bridge at shopping centre.
Proposed
Planning and Policy:
The Town should consider innovative land-use planning options such as Conservation Subdivisions.
Nature and Ecosystems:
The Town shall plant native species in municipally owned green spaces.
The Town shall ensure all future land acquisition includes a minimum of 5% undeveloped green space.
Public Infrastructure:
Integrate climate risk data into asset management plans.