The Kamloops Community Climate Action Plan is into its third phase and a city councilor says it is a delicate balance with the boom in local construction.
Arjun Singh says plans for several downtown developments are an example that building up is better for the environment than building out.
“I think part of what we have to do is figure out how to grow the economy in a way that is really in line with greenhouse gas reduction. There are definitely ways of doing that,” he said.
“In respect to the land use planning, it’s certainly a more vibrant, more dense kind of development that we can promote and we can certainly really, really be careful with urban sprawl and really make sure we’re not having developments way out on the edges of town that causes people to drive a lot more.”
“I think in terms of the cranes and that kind of thing, there’s probably ways of having all that construction we have in a lot more greenhouse gas friendly kind of a way.
Keeping lines of communication open with the community is helping the environmental plan work according Singh.
“What’s nice about the spirit of our community and our province, given the opportunity and challenge and a sort of clear one the we can really embrace it. So I think council has to be part of a really clear request for the community, some kind of direction for the community, provides incentives and eventually mandates to various things,” he added.
“This is very serious business, I mean we’ve got probably twenty years, thirty years before the 2050 time frame but we have to start this kind of now and have interim greenhouse gas reduction targets so it’s some thing that’s very big, we’re asking the community to look at and work with us on.”
“I’m keen to work with my council colleagues collaboratively to make sure that we find the best solutions to this very big issue.
Singh says he’s happy how the city has handled the issue so far.
“Kamloops council has committed to do it’s part to reduce emissions by the 1.5 degree temperature cap that was set at the Paris Climate Accord and I think we’re up to it.”
He says we have to to look at the big picture and keep that balance.
“I think the balance is only one framework, the other framework to look is how do we make sure that we’re keeping the environment, which we all need to live and breath and work in, that’s the predominant thing to consider that everything kind of works within that container so, there’s no use having a short term strong economy if we’re going to have incidents rise in wildfires, drought and floods and that kind of thing be part of our future.”
“The plan that council has been considering and what the community’s looking at the last month or so has been very ambitious plans. They’re very bold plans. I would commend folks to have a look at it.”
“To suggest the economy is as important as the environment, I’d say it’s a close second but the environment has to sort of lead because that really is the air breath and the weather that we live within and that probably the most prominent thing to consider right now.”
