7 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
To fight wildfires and heat waves, Manitoba needs a climate plan
Opinion
Facing a record-breaking heat wave in early May, Manitoba has had a devastating start to its unofficial fifth season — fire season — as wildfires continue to ravage communities and smoke blankets much of the province. Climate change is no longer a distant problem for future generations — it is here now.
To tackle the crisis, Manitoba needs more than just new water bombers. We urgently need a strong provincial climate action and adaptation plan.
Manitoba has already seen over 105 fires this season and smashed numerous temperature records, leading the province to declare a state of emergency. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, dozens of homes have been destroyed, and tragically, two lives have been lost.
Buckland Fire and Rescue / The Canadian Press / HO-Facebook
A Buckland Fire and Rescue tanker truck is shown on a highway after being deployed to La Ronge, Sask., on June 2.
Evacuation and emergency response supports for northern communities have struggled to keep pace, with 2,000 residents of Pukatawagan left stranded for days as heavy smoke prevented air evacuations.
Tragically, this hot, dry, and smoky spring and summer weather is becoming increasingly the norm. Winnipeg is expected to experience 52 days above 30 C each summer beyond 2050.
Extreme heat and wildfires are public health emergencies. They cause increased illness and death from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, injury, and heat-related illness.
They contribute to rising anxiety and mental health difficulties for young people — all of which further stresses health care. Climate change poses an escalating financial crisis, with health and other climate damages in Manitoba slated to reach up to $2,235 per person annually by 2050. The climate crisis is an existential threat to Indigenous land-based knowledges and lifeways, and an ecological breaking point.
These devastating impacts will continue to intensify if we keep putting off tackling the root of the problem: our reliance on fossil fuels. Failing to reduce our emissions is adding fuel to the fire.
While the Government of Manitoba must meet the current moment of emergency response to ensure communities' safety, it also needs a strong and clear plan to swiftly transition off fossil fuels and proactively adapt to the impacts that are already locked in.
The previous government's 2017 Manitoba Climate and Green Plan is outdated and inadequate, as it is not aligned with international targets through the Paris Agreement and lacks details such as short-term and long-term goals, specific timelines, and costing. It is not clear if this plan is being implemented because the last progress report was four years ago. Meanwhile, aside from Alberta, Manitoba is the only province with higher greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 than 2005.
In 2019, the Manitoba NDP committed to reducing emissions 45 per cent by 2030 and pledged to develop a strong, science-based climate plan with solutions for every sector. However, after a year and a half in office, there is no sign of this plan.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is proposing to expand fossil fuel infrastructure and is backpedalling on its clean electricity commitments.
A strong provincial climate plan should have two main areas of focus.
First, it should chart the equitable pathway for how Manitobans will move around, heat our homes, and feed our families — all without relying on oil and gas by 2050, and to meet their 2030 target.
Though Manitoba's emissions are a relatively small contribution globally, Canadian's per-capita emissions are among the highest in the world and come with a responsibility to cut emissions and develop solutions that can be replicated elsewhere.
Second, it must plan for the impacts of a changing climate, such as wildfires, extreme storms, and health emergencies like the ones we are currently experiencing. It should do these things in partnership with Indigenous communities, building a new economy rooted in equitable and reciprocal relationships.
Some school divisions are taking it upon themselves to model a course, including Seven Oaks, Louis Riel, and Winnipeg School Division, that have begun to establish their own climate plans and are boldly advancing climate change education.
However, a clear provincial plan for utilities, transportation, businesses, health and education is needed to make sound decisions aligned with a climate-safe future. In the absence of a plan, Manitoba Hydro's current long-term energy planning, for example, is relying on technologies that aren't commercially viable. A provincial plan will also need to reckon with the small, but not insignificant, oil industry in southwestern Manitoba.
As international politics have recently demonstrated, Canada needs a robust, energy-independent economy. Given the province is forecasting a deficit of 23,600 trades people over the next five years, Manitoba should focus on training, education and job growth related to fossil fuel transition.
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With the U.S. abandoning its energy transition, Canada has an opportunity to attract low-carbon industries and bolster domestic production to create good green jobs. Manitoba, at the centre of the country, is well positioned to encourage federal action and investment in a clean energy future, increased east-west connections, and push back against new pipeline proposals.
It is not too late to act.
Instead of continuing to expand our reliance on dirty fuels, Manitoba can work together and be a world-class example of climate change preparation, adaptation and prevention. The vast majority of the public is in support of climate action and policy, and are looking for strong leadership.
While first responders continue to fight the wildfires, the rest of us can fan the flames of the political will needed to prevent them.
Scott Durling is with Educators for Climate Action Manitoba, Laura Cameron is with Manitoba's Climate Action Team), and Chris Morrow is with Manitoba Public Health Association.
