On my way home, I saw this house with solar panels on top. It shows a bright future for the home buyers. I believe that our next generation can live in a “net-zero” home, and the electrical-generation technology would be cheaper and simpler!

Plants and animal species are facing climates that are not usual. This forces migration irregularities, impacts habitats and can introduce invasive species. With changes like climate change wildlife will adapt, move elsewhere, die off or be taken over by invasive species.

The strength of our urban forest is a good indicator for the health and resilience of our community. Trees produce oxygen, reduce flooding, cool our homes, and make our city a beautiful place. But climate change is causing a lot of damage to our trees, right when we need them most. These pictures not only remind me of how integrated and dependent we are with the urban canopy, but it also reminds me of how vulnerable these trees are, especially with increasing occurrences of drought, freezing rain, and strong wind – all the more important for applying best management practices to create a stronger urban forest that benefits our true wealth of our community!

I took part in constructing a Rain Garden in The Lakehead University area with the “Rain Garden Project Team” which was a collaboration of Lakehead Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead Office of Sustainability, Ecosuperior and Students of Lakehead University.

350.org founder Bill McKibben says that the most important thing an individual can do about climate change is to not be an individual. You can’t solve this yourself. On November 29^th, 2015, two hundred people walked from Hillcrest Park to the Paramount Theatre to raise awareness of the need for action on climate destabilization just before the Paris Climate Talks.

Canada signed the agreement and still, governments talk about building new pipelines. Will you join us?

I was overwhelmed to see such beauty serenity and the never-ending shore of Lake Superior. I feel privileged at this very moment to have seen the rocky coast of the lake; to have felt the fresh water on my skin; and to be able to bask under the sun. I want to keep having this experience in the years to come. Nature is powerful, yet its beauty is sublime.

Increasing temperatures and prolonged heatwaves throughout the summer as a result of climate change will put our most vulnerable population; including infants and elderly people at greater risk of heat induced stress or trauma. Such a potential threat extends towards our animal friends as well, as a sudden spike in temperatures in spring and early summer can adversely impact vulnerable populations such as chicks, small mammals and aquatic species. Migration and spawning habitats for bird and fish species may also pass the temperature threshold required to facilitate these natural processes, leading to declines and possible extirpation (local extinction) of certain species in impacted regions.

climate change makes our winters colder and have more snow fall. With this comes an increase need for salt to de-ice our roads and space to put these large piles. In the spring these piles melt putting a lot of salt and sediments into our water ways polluting them.

The creation of strong neighbourhoods is key to building resilience as a community. Developing neighbourhood hubs provides opportunities for neighbours to join together, learn about each other and to support each when faced with challenge. Strong neighbourhoods grow from simple actions – waving, saying hello, walking together, or sharing resources. It gives me hope to see these things happening in Thunder Bay neighbourhoods. In the face of challenges brought on by climate change, our community needs neighbours who support each other through emergencies and recovery.

Climate change is resulting in an increase in earth’s temperature globally. This temperature rise will result in disappearance of mountain glaciers, sea ice and rivers. Sea level rise can displace 10% of the world’s population.