Climate change is real and we are currently facing its many challenges. One of these problems is the earth’s thawing permafrost.
Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer on or under the earth’s surface inside or near the Arctic Circle made up of soil, gravel, sand and sediment.
Why should we be concerned? The Globe and Mail recently published an op-ed about Canada’s thawing permafrost and why we should be worried – almost half of Canada is located in permafrost regions and we also have the longest Arctic coastline in the world.
Along with many other climate change impacts, the permafrost’s thawing affects the Indigenous communities, infrastructure and resource extraction in Canada’s northern regions.
What’s causing this change? Human activities that produce greenhouse gases cause the Arctic to be warming at more than twice the global average. This warming contributes to more wildfires, a deadly combination that’s melting the permafrost.
As Winnipeggers, it’s important to be aware of global warming’s impact on our planet and our society. We continue to welcome new Canadians in our city which will increase our carbon footprint. And to combat the surge of greenhouse gas emissions that will go along with our growing population, the City of Winnipeg acknowledges the role of infill developments in its densification plan.
Why Infill Developments Are Essential In Winnipeg’s Climate Action Plan?
In their Climate Action Plan, the City of Winnipeg stated that by 2031, 50 per cent of new developments must come from infill. Infill developments are new buildings in mature neighbourhoods, making it easy for residents to access shopping, schools, work, entertainment and public transportation.
How does infill benefit the environment? Infill accommodates the city’s growing population by replacing single-family homes with multi-family homes. By building more multi-family homes in the city, infill helps prevent further urban sprawl.
In these walkable, bikeable and transit-oriented communities, there is less need for cars, which is the largest single source of carbon emissions. Did you know that in the City of Winnipeg, 50.5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from vehicles?
Environmental sustainability is also an important part of the infill development industry. As one of the leading infill developers in Winnipeg, Paragon Design Build uses sustainable building materials in all our projects.
Doing Our Part
Infill developments are not the only way to fight climate change. It’s only one part of the equation.
From doing your best to live a zero-waste lifestyle to educating yourself about the dangers of climate change and the many ways you can help, together we can slow and perhaps one day reverse global warming.
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