By Jennifer Nantais
On November 29th 2019, experts and stakeholders gathered at the Windsor-Essex Climate Action Symposium held at the University of Windsor. A wide range of speakers included Claire Sanders from the Essex Region Conservation Authority, Karina Richters from the City of Windsor, Dr. Anneke Smit and the University of Windsor Cities & Climate Action Forum, energy specialist Peter Garforth, former Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge, University of Windsor professors Paul Henshaw and Edwin Tam, and Amandeep Hans from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
Morning lectures shared data on temperature, energy use and emissions, with topics including Climate Change and Health, Community Energy Planning, Climate Emergencies and your Municipality, and the Cost of Doing Nothing, while the afternoon allowed attendees to engage in brainstorming session workshops.
Climate Change is projected to cost Canadians more in the future due to increased heating and cooling demands and energy shortages, but costs are not limited to economics. Social, ecological and health costs are already being felt today, and studying these will help us to anticipate and prepare for an uncertain future. Prevention costs much less than a cure, and the longer we wait, the greater the cost will be. Sharing information and resources can help us to understand the impact that human activity is already having on a changing climate in order to plan for a healthy, sustainable future.