I would like to comment on some of the points in Jeff's timely posting
about long-term planing.
>Long range plans to adjust might include:
>
> 1. Orchard plantings
Some species may become more, or less, suitable to the new climate and
weather conditions, including wind, water levels.
Some sites may become too dry or too wet for small fruit plantings.
> 2. Design of living spaces
The more intense winter rains in our region mean a much greater need for
rain cover than we perceived when we started building ten years ago.
> 3. Location of houses.
And outbuildings. And in our context, location of trees in relation to
buildings.
Our house was sited in a sheltered spot, and we left trees to block
prevailing winds year-round (while some neighbours cleared theirs out, for
the view). Our only opening for a view is to the east, which has not been a
direction for wind, but now we are getting east winds. It's not practical
to move the house, but we are going to let trees grow up on the east side,
and we are installing wind barriers, e.g. on an open second-storey balcony.
The combination of heavy rain, which softens the ground, then the greater
intensity of the dry season, which weakens and kills trees, and the shift
in winds to this new direction, all combine to threaten some of our
outbuildings.
We have brought in an arborist each year for the past two years to examine
the trees and trim or fell some, and plan to bring the arborist back on an
annual basis. An hour or two of this expert's time is money well spent, in
this heavily treed region.
> 4. Impacts on local facilities
The variability in the weather as the climate changes makes disaster
recovery plans more important than ever. Our end of this small Island has
been cut off several times this past year alone by flood, fallen trees,
and heavy snowfall. (I have just finished designing a form for our
neighbourhood emergency preparedness project. Other such forms I have seen
are for urban and suburban contextx --mine is for a rural area.)
> 5. Education regarding weather problems, tornados, etc.
What might be some good methods? Perhaps inviting spekers from Environment
Canada (or similar agencies) to speak at community meetings and meetings of
common interest groups like garden clubs.
Terry J. Klokeid, Ph.D.
Amblewood Organic Farm
Fulford Harbour BC
E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
