By Sarah Elizabeth Wolfe,\u00a0 and Philip Steenkamp Governments, corporations and other institutions must all play constructive roles in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Universities, too, can and must help with that effort. We are based at Royal Roads University in the south of Vancouver Island, a region that represents how communities need to plan for climate risks both big and small. This summer, El Ni\u00f1o means warmer seas and drier conditions. In June, early melting meant the island had already reached zero per cent snowpack reserve. The Canadian government\u2019s drought assessment shows above-normal temperatures and lower precipitation across the Pacific Northwest this El Ni\u00f1o season. An early-season drought \u2014 which could affect Vancouver Island \u2014 will negatively impact farms, wetlands, wildfire risks and water demand from seasonal tourism. Higher… <\/p>\n
By Sarah Elizabeth Wolfe,\u00a0 and Philip Steenkamp Governments, corporations and other institutions must all play constructive roles in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Universities, too, can and must help with that effort. We are based at Royal Roads University in the south of Vancouver Island, a region that represents how communities need to plan for climate risks both big and small. This summer, El Ni\u00f1o means warmer seas and drier conditions. In June, early melting meant the island had already reached zero per cent snowpack reserve. The Canadian government\u2019s drought assessment shows above-normal temperatures and lower precipitation across the Pacific Northwest this El Ni\u00f1o season. An early-season drought \u2014 which could affect Vancouver Island \u2014 will negatively impact farms, wetlands, wildfire risks and water demand from seasonal tourism. Higher... <\/p>\n