INNOVATION January-February 2017

fea t ure s Positioning APEGBC and Its Members to Respond to Climate Change T he APEGBC C limate C hange A dvisory G roup – Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., Dr. Conor Reynolds, P.Eng., Dr. Malcolm Shield, P.Eng., Dr. Brian Menounos, P.Geo., Brent Burton, P.Eng., Glen Parker, P.Eng., Glen Shkurhan, P.Eng., Sean Marte, P.Eng., Susan Hayes, P.Eng. ( C ouncil appointee ), Dr. Johanna Wolf ( BC M inistry of E nvironment representative )

Climate change is one of the most critical issues British Columbians will face this century. Impacts will include changes to precipitation patterns, rising average temperatures, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and sea-level rise—all of which will pose significant challenges to the way we live and work. Many engineers and geoscientists are already planning for climate change in their work. APEGBC’s most recent position paper identifies reduction of greenhouse gases as an important climate change mitigation strategy. The APEGBC Position Paper: Human-Induced Climate Change incorporates input provided during extensive consultation with nine APEGBC committees and divisions, and declares the following positions: • APEGBC accepts that there is strong evidence that human activities, in particular activities that emit greenhouse gases, are contributing to global climate change.

• APEGBC Registrants have the potential to influence greenhouse gas emissions through their professional activities, and are expected to consider the impact of their work on the climate. The paper commits the association to support its members with climate change-related guidelines and materials, work with government on climate change-related issues and processes that affect BC engineers and geoscientists, and encourage members to consider climate change in their work—particularly through climate change mitigation and adaptation. The APEGBC Position Paper: Human-Induced Climate Change follows up on another climate change-related position paper, published in 2014, which recognised that changing climate means evolving responsibilities for the association and its membership.

Floods damaged roads and bridges in BC's South Peace River region in 2016. Changed precipitation patterns and more extreme weather due to climate change are predicted to increase risk to communities and infrastructure. P hoto , BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure cc by nc nd

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