Quebec has been a notable leader in the struggle against climate change (Gouvernement du Québec, 2009). It has employed effective management strategies that have made it achieve higher targets than any other province in Canada. For instance, the average greenhouse gases emission per person is the lowest in the Quebec Province. Relevant policies, however, are essential in the adaptation of climate change. Quebec has found that it has been essential to integrate public administration of this course considering the achievements it has had so far. The government, in this context, is concerned with the social programs that have an environmental dimension. The most crucial involve the provision of sanitary water to avoid the spread of waterborne diseases, the fight against climate change that decreases the severity of droughts, and crop irrigation that ensure food security. The efforts to deter imprudence in the use of resources that could have adverse effects on the climate change are, therefore, priority for the Quebec administration (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 7). The notable laws that have already been incorporated in the climate change adaptation include the Québec Strategy for Drinking Water Conservation, the Water Act, and the Dam Safety Act. Additionally, there are others that are being prepared or revised which include among others, the Sustainable Regional and Local Land Use Planning Act, the Québec Civil Protection Policy, and the Civil Protection Act (Nationales du Québec, 2012, p. 18). These policies, however, cannot affect climate change adaptation profoundly without the adequate involvement and cooperation of the Quebec’s society. The government has a crucial role, therefore, to mobilize and ensure the coherence of the actions of its partners to achieve success.
The most vulnerable populations differ, however, with the climatic threat. For instance, those who are more likely to suffer from the severity and increased frequency of heat waves include the children (due to immature metabolisms), the seniors (from medications and financial constraints), the chronically ill, outside workers, the inadequately sheltered, those who lack access to cooling mechanisms, and the others living in areas with poor air quality (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 9). The people who suffer from severe storms (such as extreme winds, ice/snowfall and rain) include the inadequately sheltered, the chronically ill, those living in the low-lying coastal areas that face the risk of flooding, and the communities that depend on agriculture and forestry. The wildfires affect the children, the seniors and the chronically ill (from respiratory concerns) and those dependent on tourism, forestry and agriculture (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 9). Drought and water shortages have adverse impacts on the communities that rely on agriculture, forestry and resources and are associated with waterborne diseases. The changes in the cryosphere that include the melting of snow, lake ice, sea ice and permafrost affect the coastal, the resource-dependent and the Aboriginal communities (more so the traditional hunters and trappers) (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 9). The individuals who make their living from forestry or agriculture also suffer from altered ecosystems such as the invasive species migration. Those living along the coastal regions or waterways experience adversities from the rise of the sea level, the erosion of the coastal and shoreline, and storm surges (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 10).
These vulnerable groups are the source of identifying the policy gaps, which are classified as the ex-post and the ex-ante policy measures. For instance, the Civic Protection Act of Quebec has the requirement that every individual is aware of the potential dangers. The Emergency Readiness Act requires that each the creation of an emergency management program in every municipality (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 35).
The Federal Policy Context
The Canadian government has put into place a number of Federal Policies and Programs in response the climate change issue. These are interested in the intervention of risks that the vulnerable populations face. Health Canada is an active organization that pursues the people’s safety, especially through the heat response systems and guidance to health care providers in extreme weather situations (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 39). The federal National Climate Change Adaptation Framework is another seeks to improve Canada’s climate change impacts adaptation capacity while reducing the risks and seizing opportunities. Additionally, the Voluntary Sector Framework for Health Emergencies, the National Framework for Health Emergency Management and the Public Health Agency of Canada enhance this adaptive capacity (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 39). Following the elaborate policy context established by the Canadian federal government about the environment and climate changes, provinces and territories have emulated this leadership to develop climate action plans. For instance, Quebec Province works collaboratively with the Canadian administration to curb the climatic disasters their citizens face. Its policies and programs are set up manage, especially intense heat through infrastructure and health support (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 39).
The Evolution of the Policy Area in the Province
The Energy Efficiency and New Technology Master Plan of 2007-2010 paved the way to the Québec Energy Strategy 2006-2015. This policy direction was the means by which Quebec would achieve the greenhouse emissions reduction objectives (Nationales du Québec, 2013, p. 21). The 2006 – 2012 Climate Change Action Plan of 2006 – 2012 has markedly contributed to the fight against climate change in Quebec (Gouvernement du Québec, 2009). Moreover, the implementation of the 2013 – 2020 Climate Change Action Plan will further ensure more significant achievements by 2020. However, the socioeconomic and environmental benefits associated with these measures also largely depend on the relevant policies in the areas of transportation electrification, development of green technologies, and energy (Gouvernement du Québec, 2009). Consequently, Quebec is working closely with the international community as it seeks more partners to lead in strive against climate change.
Key Debates in the Policy Area
The Climate Change Action Plan of 2013-2020 is the overall strategy through which Quebec is going to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions and ensure its society’s resilience to the climate change impacts. It will enable the province to achieve a green, prosperous and sustainable economy by 2020. Besides its vision, the opportunities that it can seize and the cost of inaction that it can incur are also parts of the driving forces behind this Government Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation (Nationales du Québec, 2012, p. 5). In a report presented by the UNEP in 2008, the fight against climate change is viewed as a way to prosperity instead of a cause of unemployment and other adversities (Nationales du Québec, 2012, p. 5). It indicated that the course led to impressive invention, innovation and imagination. The economic risks emanating from the inaction against climate change are predicted to be very severe. Consequently, failure to combat this hazard could lead to losses that considerably outweigh the costs that the government could otherwise commit to better the situation (Nationales du Québec, 2012, p. 5). This follows the broad array of opportunities for growth and development that are associated with the process. The Climate Change Action plan of 2013-2020 is also preferentially interested in the stakeholders and sectors most susceptible to climate change impacts. Consequently, the critical debates in the policy area revolve around them and the issues they face from the climatic hazards.
The Well-being of the Population and Communities
The climate change impacts will affect everyone. The vulnerable members of the society such as those who live in low-quality houses, street families, the sick and those who work in the open.25 % of the population would be made up of children and the elderly by 2030 (Nationales du Québec, 2012 p. 6). They are also susceptible to the adversities of climate change. The human activities that develop land that is prone to natural disasters, such as flooding, increases the vulnerability of the residents. Also, the reliance on facilities such as electricity, transport and telecommunication make makes almost everyone to be a victim. The increase in the occurrence and density of heat waves leads to a rise in health risks amongst people living in the area. Heat waves decline the availability of water resources and create a favorable environment for transmission of diseases from animals’ to people. The extreme heat also amplifies the dangers posed by pollutants and decreases the ability of the body to fight them. 17.5 % of Quebec population suffers from allergy due to ragweed pollen. This result to extra costs and an increase in absenteeism from work as the affected seek medical advice.
The Continuity of Economic Activities
Quebec’s economy comprises of technological and financial services, traditional products and mining of natural resources. The economy dependability to climate change is determined by the level to which different sectors either benefits or declines because of weather change. Different areas in Quebec experience the climate change effects in different ways. Some are affected negatively while others prosper. Climatic changes affect service industry mildly whereas others such as forestry, agriculture hydroelectricity, and mining are affected substantially. Enterprises are affected by weather change; it affects their infrastructure, chains of distribution and supply, operations, customers’ traffic and workers absenteeism. New opportunities may emerge due to climate change. New products may be introduced into the market with an aim of helping residents to adapt to the changes.
The Safety and Durability of Buildings
The durability of buildings, infrastructure, transport, and power and telecommunication connectivity is affected by the adverse change of the climate. This leads to their life span reduction. Poor infrastructure affects the stability of the economic activities of a particular region.
The Maintenance of Essential Ecological Services
The natural habitat and the ecosystem coexist and influence each other. The ecosystem that exists today is due to evolution because of climate change. On the other hand, biological and chemical cycles affect the climate.
Future directions for Quebec Policy
The Reduction of Greenhouse Emissions
The aspiration to live in a green and sustainable society drives Quebec to action regarding the reduction of the greenhouse emissions in all sectors. According to Nationales du Québec (2013, p. 20), transportation, buildings and industry account for more than 85% of Quebec’s greenhouse gases emissions. Quebec seeks to reduce the greenhouse gases emission by 20% by 2020. The government’s interest is to promote electric vehicles, public transit and intermodal freight transport to achieve this target. Further, it includes the preferential use of wood over other building material, biomass to recover energy, and land use planning. It also calls for technical interventions that include energy efficiency, which involve less generation of the greenhouse gases (Nationales du Québec, 2013, p. 20). The Québec Energy Strategy 2006-2015 has had considerably great success in the fostering of energies with fewer greenhouse gases emissions. Furthermore, Climate Change Action Plan 2020 is committed to favoring the renewable energies that emit the least greenhouse gases.
In conclusion, there are policy gaps that the Quebec government should concern itself with, to best serve its citizens. For instance, to ensure that such rules as the occupational health and safety or the vulnerable populations’ protection are comprehensive, the government should take certain critical measures (Fitzpatrick, 2014, p. 23). Most importantly, though, policy makers working collaboratively with professional groups like the urban planners, educators and engineers would serve to respond effectively and address the social challenges that are related to climate change (Harford, Olewiler, Richards, & Policy Research Initiative (Canada), 2010, p. 51). A stronger engagement is recommendable to establish novel means through which the society will benefit.
References
Fitzpatrick, T. (2014). International handbook on social policy and the environment. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Gouvernement du Québec. (2009). Québec: A leader in the fight against climate change! Retrieved from www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changementsclimatiques/index-en.htm
Harford, D., Olewiler, N. D., Richards, J., & Policy Research Initiative (Canada). (2010). Climate change adaptation: Linkages with social policy. Ottawa: Policy Research Initiative.
Nationales du Québec. (2012). 2013-2020 Government Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation. Gouvernement du Québec.
Nationales du Québec. (2013). 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan. Gouvernement du Québec.
