Climate Change Adaptation Campaign in Canterbury NZ

Climate change is already affecting Canterbury’s local ecosystems and communities. Climate projections from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand, show that the region will face more severe and frequent storms, floods, droughts, and sea-level rise.

NIWA projects that sea levels will increase by an average of 30 cm in 60 to 80 years.

Temperatures in the regions could rise by 1.5°C by 2040 and up to 3.5°C by 2090, with mountain and country areas projected to face the highest temperature increases even as they are already experiencing droughts and wildfires caused by climate change.

These projected impacts of climate change have led Canterbury’s regional, city, and district councils to start a region-wide campaign.

“It’s time, Canterbury” aims to encourage conversations around climate change and disseminate information and resources to help communities understand, manage, prepare, and adapt to climate change impacts (It’s time, 2021).

ECAN and Canterbury’s city and district councils developed the website, “It’s time, Canterbury,” to house reputable information and resources on the topic and impacts of climate change in the region.

“No matter where you live or what you do, climate change affects everyone. This isn’t an easy topic, but we have to talk about the specifics and take further action to reduce the impacts of climate change, as well as ready ourselves to adapt to it, Mayoral Forum Chair and Selwyn District Council Mayor Sam Broughton says (It’s time, Canterbury, 2021).

“It’s time for Canterbury’s communities to get a clearer picture of what we are seeing and what we are expecting in our own local areas so that we can all make up our own minds about what we will do to help reduce or manage the impact of our changing climate,” Broughton said.

Explore the website by clicking on the link provided below.