The Kapiti Coast Climate Change Action Plan
Consulted on during the first part of 2007, the Kapiti Coast Climate Change Action Plan was approved by the Council in April 2007. Its approval and acceptance are acknowledged by the presentation of a Milestone 3 Award from the Communities for Climate Protection™ - New Zealand (CCP™-NZ) Programme by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives – Australia/New Zealand.
There is conclusive evidence that our climate is already changing. Rising sea levels, increasing weather extremes - more storms, floods and droughts - and resulting changes in water supply and quality will change how we live, work and play in this country.
We only need to look back at the 2004 storms in the North Island to be reminded what climate change might be like.
Climate change has social, economic and environmental implications for New Zealand and the world.
“We know from our knowledge of the ancient past that if we continue our present growth path we are facing the end of civilisation as we know it, not in millions of years…but by the end of this century.”
Professor Peter Barrett, 2004 - Recipient of New Zealand’s top science award, The Marsden Medal.
Potential effects of climate change on the Kapiti Coast
The Kapiti Coast, being a low lying coastal community, is susceptible to the impacts of climate change and faces significant challenges as a result.
As our weather patterns become more varied, so too does the risk of extreme weather events. Storms, flooding and drought are all potential problems for the Kapiti Coast.
To ensure the region is prepared for any dramatic weather event, the Council is addressing climate change concerns through a number of initiatives.
These include encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gases, developing a sustainable operations policy and planning for the future. As part of this, the Council has identified a number of key factors to take into consideration:
- The biggest threat to lifelines and services is likely to come from heavy rainfall and flooding. Those lifelines and services that are currently near riverbanks are at greater risk from floods and landslides.
- Areas near the coast may become increasingly prone to coastal erosion, coastal flooding and storm surges due to rising sea levels.
- There is potential for damage to the region’s low lying coastal settlements and infrastructure where population, tourism and capital investment are large and predicted to expand.
- Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water mains, storm water, flood protection works and sewerage systems need to be assessed to determine their suitability to cope with climate change.
- Structures such as bridges may need to accommodate higher flood peaks in their design.
- Expected sea level rises could make groundwater aquifers near the coastline vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. Possible lower rainfall in some areas may also affect water supplies.
- An increase in drought conditions may result in increased competition for water uses between agricultural irrigation, domestic and industrial use.
- Changes in temperature and rainfall may affect the suitability of districts for particular crops and stock. Problems with weeds, pests and diseases may impact upon agriculture and horticulture.
Although no one can predict the future, it is possible to ensure we are ready for whatever changes may come. The Council believes that forewarned is forearmed.
Thorough planning today may help save lives and infrastructure in the future. As a district, it is vital to be prepared – for ourselves and for generations to come.
Click here to take you to Civil Defence and find out how you can be prepared.
Kapiti Coast District Council Climate Protection Programme
Kapiti Coast District Council was recently awarded for its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Communities for Climate Protection™ - New Zealand (CCP™-NZ) Programme by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives – Australia/New Zealand and the Ministry for the Environment’s New Zealand Climate Change Office (NZCCO).
The Council is one of only 14 councils around New Zealand to participate in the programme, which is part of a global campaign to reduce greenhouse gases and achieve tangible improvements in global sustainability.
A Government funded CCP-NZ intern was appointed to the Kapiti Coast Council and started the work on a five-step framework to reduce greenhouse gases in the District.
What causes climate change?
Climate change is a naturally occurring phenomenon that has been amplified by human actions. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere and act like an invisible blanket around the earth. This blanket helps to regulate the earth’s temperature and keep our planet warm and hospitable.
In the past 200 years however, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, transportation and agriculture have significantly added to the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. The resulting warmer temperature, known as global warming, affects aspects of the climate such as rainfall and sea level.
To learn more about climate change, click here to take you to the website of the New Zealand Climate Change Office.
Responding to climate change
Everybody has a role to play in reducing greenhouse gases. Although the effects of climate change cannot be avoided over the next decade and beyond, it is not too late to start planning for climate change.
Making an effort now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Kapiti Coast District will help us adapt in the future. As a district we must learn to adapt to whatever changes may come.
How you can help our environment
The Government aims to reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging more efficient energy use, less reliance on fossil fuels (such as coal, oil and natural gas), more efficient use of transport, and less waste. It’s up to all New Zealanders to help reduce the effects of climate change and keep our communities safe.
There are many things you can do to help reduce New Zealand’s impact on climate change including:
- recycling
- car-pooling
- installing energy efficient light bulbs
- ensuring printers and photocopiers are set to duplex
- insulating your hot water cylinder
- washing clothes in cold water
- switching off appliances when they're not in use.
BRANZ offers a free guide with practical tips you can use at home and the office to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save money at the same time. It also has a New Zealand climate change calculator so you can work out your carbon footprint.
Click here to download their Easy Guide to Being a Climate Friendly Kiwi
(20 pages, 1.2mb).
For more ideas and information, check out the links below:
- www.sustainability.govt.nz
Ministry for the Environment site which provides information and tips on how to live sustainably.
- www.bethedifference.gw.govt.nz
- Greater Wellington Regional Council programme to encourage everyone to take personal responsibility for the environment of the region
- www.iclei.org/anz
- the website of Communities for Climate Protection - Australia and New Zealand
- www.ipcc.ch
- the website of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.