Jay McQueen
5/3/2012
Climate change is happening in Hamilton and there's a need to take action.
That's just one of the messages delivered to city councillors today at a news conference at City Hall.
Among the groups taking part -- the McMaster Centre for Climate Change.
Coordinator Dave Heidebrecht says the extreme heavy rain episodes in Hamilton of the last few years and resulting floods are examples of the effects of climate change.
He also points to recent warmer wetter winters and the resulting landslides and road closures.
Heidebrecht says these events take their toll on city infrastructure -- namely sewers and storm drains -- and he believes the costs associated with climate change are not being discussed enough in public.
Furthermore, he tells CHML News insurance claims in the region are getting high and will only get higher as the impact of extreme weather mounts.
Last fall, several groups in town signed the Hamilton Climate Change Action Charter -- symbolizing a more unified, strategized approach in addressing climate change in the city.
Heidebrecht says adapting to climate change is going to take a long time -- and starting to talk about it now will allow positive changes to be made going forward.
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