Raving reviews of CERCA's Symposium on "Climate Change and the Economy"

CERCA's 2017 Symposium is the second event with focus on Climate Change. The first, implemented in 2014, dealt with "Expected Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal Communities and Estuaries" whereas this year's Symposium  addressed expected impacts of climate change on our economy and how to  adjust to such changes on a local level. With more than 230 pre-registered  participants the Symposium was well attended, a reflection of the great interest in the overall theme and the high quality contributions by our esteemed guest speakers.The very positive feedback received from numerous attendees is taken as a testimony to a highly successful event. Indeed it was a remarkable day and for many of us more than a wake-up call. The  wealth of information provided by our speakers and the lively discussions involving the panel members provided not only food for thought but also a definite call for action!To put this year's Symposium into perspective:  in early 2017 the CVRD's Environmental Services Branch elaborated a report on Climate Projections for the Cowichan Valley Regional District with participation and input by local specialists. This will be followed by a report with focus on expected impacts of climate change on the CVRD level and a third document outlining practical adaptation and mitigation strategies. In the preamble of the CVRD's Climate Projections report it is stated that the purpose of this exercise is:"Ensuring our region is as prepared as possible is critical to maintaining community well-being, environmental health and a vibrant local economy over the long term. The 2014 to 2018 CVRD Corporate Strategic Plan has set a mandate to understand our region's climate risks and complete adaptation plans to strengthen resilience, reduce risks, and take advantage of potentially emerging opportunities."Against this background the central topic of the Symposium was a timely and perfect fit reflecting the long term goals of the CVRD and immediate actions to be taken to be prepared for expected impacts of climate change on the local environment and the economy.The presentations ranging from a global to local overview of climate change impacts clearly demonstrated the need to significantly "modernize" the economy with a view to climate change, and the need to re-think the way economy has been defined in the past. This means that all branches of the economy including industry, crafts, agriculture, forestry, and services need to improve their work and production in such a way that climate change does not become more pronounced and that its adverse impacts can be absorbed. At the Symposium we learned that to achieve this, it is necessary to increase energy efficiency, switch to regenerative energy sources, reduce the consumption of resources, water and the generation of waste. From the presentations it became clear that unless timely action is taken, water shortages and other restrictions will soon render whole industries ineffective eliminating large numbers of jobs. Both the early conversion to a consciously better economy as well as the necessary adaptation to climate change have a great potential for stable and high-quality jobs. It is hoped that a modern economy, socially and environmentally oriented, can influence and endure climate change.I personally did not realize how much expertise and talent there is concentrated in our region until I started the pre-registration process for this Symposium. If only we could bundle all this expertise and energy. It was amazing to learn how many young entrepreneurs with bright ideas are already operating in our Valley and how many more are eager to start a small business in support of a sustainable community. There was a lot of positive energy at the Symposium to build on and I am pleased to report that I have been approached already by some of the attendees asking where to go from here. To keep the momentum going CERCA therefore decided to organize a follow-up workshop later this year to brainstorm sustainable economic community development opportunities with focus on sustainable resource use and small and medium sized green enterprises. We will try to assemble the diverse talent of the Valley and neighbouring Islands which expressed already their keen interest in being part of it. We would like to implement this workshop jointly with the Environmental Services Branch of the CVRD and other Key stakeholders.You may have asked  yourself why a group such as CERCA dealing primarily with Estuary matters has organized two Symposia related to Climate change. The simple answer is that the impacts of climate change as we learned already in the first Symposium will be felt first and foremost by coastal communities and estuaries. Rising sea levels will have dramatic effects on coast lines, estuaries and floodplains, and so will weather extremes with extended drought periods and untimely flooding. Our environment is a complex web where everything is inter-connected.The banquet following the Symposium with presenters, moderators, panel members and CERCA members attending provided an excellent opportunity to introduce and welcome CERCA's three new Board Directors: Julia Newman, Jock Hildebrand and Allan Scott, expected to be a great asset to CERCA.We also used this occasion to honor one of our oldest CERCA members: George Croy, presenting him with an Award Certificate for his 40 years dedication to the protection of the Cowichan Estuary. A remarkable feat! Thank you very much George for being a role model to us! In closing I would like to thank again all contributors to this year's Symposium  and the numerous attendees for a highly successful event which gives us hope to jointly achieve the much needed and desired changes to make our local economy sustainable.Dr. Goetz SchuerholzChair CERCA