Skip to Content
  • News
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
MyTownship

Township of Langley Logo Township of Langley Logo

Contact Us
  • Services
    View all
    • Animals and Pest Control
    • Business
    • Bylaw Services
    • Emergency Services and Safety
    • Garbage, Recycling and Green Cart
    • Online Services
    • Property Taxes
    • Report a Problem
    • Sustainability
    • Transportation and Roads
    • Water
    Report a Problem
    Report a ProblemHow can we help?
  • Parks &
    Recreation
    View all
    • Activities and Programs
    • Facilities and Arenas
    • Get Involved
    • Parks, Trails and Amenities
    • Recreation Registration
    Recreation Registration
    Recreation RegistrationDiscover our programs and activities for all ages.
  • Arts &
    Culture
    View all
    • Community Events
    • Grants and Incentives
    • Learning, Classes and Programs
    • Libraries
    • Museum and Heritage
    • Public Art
    • Ask a Question
    salishan Place by the River
    salishan Place by the RiverExplore Fort Langley’s new facility.
  • Building &
    Development
    View all
    • Building
    • Capital Projects
    • Development
    • Engineering Forms and Guides
    • Environment
    • Trans Mountain Expansion Project
    Development information
    Development informationAccess guides, policies, bylaws, forms, and other information.
  • Connect
    View all
    • Ask a Question
    • Contact Us
    • Freedom of Information and Data Use
    • Get Involved
    • Locations, Maps and Data
    • News, Events and Media
    • Report a Problem
    • Stay Connected
    • Accessibility
    Careers
    CareersExplore our employment opportunities.
  • The Township
    View all
    • About the Township
    • Economic Investment and Development
    • Elections
    • Grants and Incentives
    • Mayor and Council
    • Notice of Claim
    • Plans, Reports, and Strategies
    • Social Sustainability
    • Township Divisions
    • YNJ Langley Airport
    Public Engagement
    Public EngagementLearn about and engage with us on a variety of topics.

Home...SustainabilityClimate ActionClimate Change 101
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Climate Change 101

What causes climate change?

Climate change occurs when the earth’s natural system for maintaining temperature and weather is disrupted. This system is called the Greenhouse Effect, and when it is working normally it keeps the earth at the right temperature and weather patterns for humans to live. Unfortunately we are now experiencing a human-caused “Enhanced” Greenhouse Effect which occurs when an excess of greenhouse gases are released into the earth’s atmosphere from human activity. These gases act like a blanket trapping more and more heat near the earth’s surface. This added heat changes patterns of weather and leads to changing climates around the world. 

What Causes Climate Change?

Where do greenhouse gases come from?

Greenhouse gases are primarily made up of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases (f-gases). 

Where do GHGs come from?

Weather vs. climate

Though sometimes used interchangeably, weather and climate mean different things. Weather can change moment to moment, while climate represents long-term trends such as average rainfall and temperatures. 

Weather Vs Climate

Why is climate change a problem?

While a few degrees warmer in the winter might sound nice in Canada, the effects of climate change are not that simple. The earth’s overall temperature is rising but this impacts local weather and climates in different ways, often causing more extreme hot and cold weather events around the world.

 Why is climate change a problem?

1.5 degree limit

The warmer our climate gets, the worse the Human-Enhanced Greenhouse Effect becomes. This is what has climate scientists concerned. The global Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has involved thousands of scientists from around the world to study this issue very carefully. The scientists have sounded an alarm and told the world that we must keep our global climate to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming*, or else the changing climate could be unstoppable. This is why, along with the rest of the world, the Township must act now to stop climate change.

*above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900).

Climate change in the Township of Langley

Using scientific climate modelling, the Township of Langley worked with local climate scientists to help us understand what we can expect in the future so we can better plan ahead.  As the climate changes in Langley, we can expect our day-to-day weather to become more extreme, resulting in more intense storms with heavy rain and wind in the fall and winter. In the summer, we can expect more drought conditions, and much hotter temperatures. 

 Climate Change in the Township

Mitigation and adaptation

Tackling climate change involves two key approaches: 

Mitigation

Limit climate change from progressing any further by reducing or eliminating our greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. carbon dioxide and methane). This involves moving away from fossil fuels, such as gasoline and natural gas, and towards lower carbon hydro electricity and other renewable energy sources like solar power.

Adaptation

Reduce the impact of climate change by preparing for the expected effects. For example, if we know that drought conditions will be more common, we can plan ahead by planting drought-tolerant trees and shrubs in our parks and boulevards. This will reduce water use and limit the number of tree replacements needed.

  • Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Business Sustainability
    • Climate Action
      • Climate Action Projects
        • Builder Forum Series
        • Community Forest Management Strategy
        • EV Charger Expansion
        • EV Outreach Videos
        • LED Streetlights
        • Portable water station and misting tent
        • Sustainability Grant Pilot Program
      • Climate Change 101
      • Investing in Climate Action
    • Corporate Sustainability
      • Responsible Program
    • Education and Outreach
      • Neighbourhood Nature
    • Gardens
      • Garden Smart
      • Langley Demonstration Garden
      • Rain Gardens
    • Green Buildings and Step Code
    • Natural Areas
      • Invasive Species
    • Recycling in the Community
      • Public Spaces Waste Management Program
      • Red Dot Campaign
      • Township-wide Garage Sale
    • Transportation: Electric Vehicles
    • Water Wise
  • View full Services Menu
    • Animals and Pest Control
      • Audible Bird Scare Devices
      • Dog Licences
      • Mosquito Control
      • Rodent Control
    • Business
      • Business Licences
        • Applying for a Business Licence
        • Business Licence Directory
        • Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence
        • Seasonal Food Truck Business Licence Requirements
      • Business with the Township
        • Property Disposition
        • Procurement Forms and Links
      • Economic Investment and Development
      • Film Production
    • Bylaw Services
      • Bylaws
      • Disputes and Adjudications
      • Parking Regulations
        • Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR)
      • Pay a Bylaw Notice
      • Property Use Regulations
      • Report a Complaint
      • Report a Fireworks Use Complaint
    • Emergency Services and Safety
      • COVID-19
        • Business Info and Links
        • Community Info and Links
        • Facility Status
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Health Info and Links
        • Mayor's Messages
        • Media Releases
        • Protecting Yourself
        • Recreation Facilities Status
      • Fire
        • Accreditation
        • Administration and History
        • Emergency Management
          • Keep Cool in Langley
        • Fire Halls
        • Paid-call Firefighters Opportunities
        • Public Safety and Community Risk
          • 2022 Fire Safety Initiatives
          • Business Licence Fire Inspections
          • Fire Safety Tips
          • Fireworks
          • Incidental Outdoor Burning Permits
          • Outdoor Cooking
          • Public Safety and Community Risk Programs and Events
      • RCMP
        • Police Offices
    • Garbage, Recycling and Green Cart
      • Cart Collection Program
        • Apartment
        • Garbage Cart
        • Green Cart
        • Single Family Home
          • Cart Sizes and Rates - Single Family Home
        • Submit a Cart Request
        • Townhome
          • Cart Sizes and Rates - Townhome
      • Collection Calendars
      • Garbage
        • Extra Garbage Stickers
        • Illegal Dumping
        • Private Collection Services
        • Waste Services for Rural Properties
      • Green Cart and Compost
        • Backyard Composting
        • Multi-Family Composting Programs
      • Household Hazardous Waste
      • Large Item Pick Up
      • Recycling
        • Centralized Collection
        • Curbside Collection
        • Recycling Ambassador Program
        • Recycling Container
        • Recycling Program Frequently Asked Questions
        • Recycling Resources
      • Take It Back
    • Online Services
      • MyTownship
    • Property Taxes
      • Changing Your Address Information
      • Home Owner Grant
      • Payment Methods
      • Permissive Tax Exemption
      • Property Assessment
      • Property Inquiry System
      • Property Tax Deferment Program
      • Property Tax Rates
      • Tax Sale
    • Report a Problem
      • Ask Us a Question
      • Community Cleanliness
        • Garbage, Recycling, Green Cart Request
        • Graffiti or Vandalism on Public Property Request
        • Illegal Garbage Dumped Request
        • Illegal Soil Dumping or Soil Removal Request
        • Street Sweeping Request
        • Weeds and Over-Grown Vegetation Request
      • General Bylaw Inquiry
      • Parking Issue Request
      • Parks, Trails, and Trees
        • Parks Request
        • Trails Request
        • Trees Request
      • Roads and Transportation
        • Pothole Issue Request
        • Road Safety Request
        • Snow and Ice Control Request
        • Street Lights Request
        • Street Sweeping Request
        • Weeds and Over-Grown Vegetation Request
      • Sanitary Sewer Request
      • Unauthorized Secondary Suite
      • Water and Drainage Systems
        • Drainage Request
        • Water Exemption Permit Application
        • Water Quality Request
    • Transportation and Roads
      • Parking Regulations
      • Snow and Ice
        • Seniors' Winter Guide
      • Traffic Cameras
      • Traffic Impacts
      • Transportation
        • Cycling Routes
        • Electric Vehicles
    • Water
      • Connecting to the Municipal Water Supply
        • Integrated Stormwater Management Plans
      • Creeks and Streams
      • Flooding
      • Private Well Network
      • Provincial Advisory for Control of Flowing Wells in the Township
      • Provincial Licencing Requirements for Groundwater Users
      • Water Emergency Plan
      • Water Quality
      • Water Restrictions
        • Can I Water Today?
      • Water Wise
Subscribe to page updates

Township of Langley footer logo

Civic Facility
20338 - 65 Avenue
Langley, BC V2Y 3J1

Phone: 604-534-3211

Contact Us

  • Resources

    • Careers
    • Maps & GeoSource
    • Media Inquiries
    • MyTownship Account
    • Online Services
    • Open Data Portal
    • Traffic Impacts
  • Our Websites

    • Township of Langley
    • salishan Place - Arts, Culture & Heritage Ctr
    • Economic Development
    • Langley Airport (YNJ)
    • Tourism Langley

Connect with us

  • View our Facebook Page
  • View our Instagram Page
  • View our Twitter Page
  • View our YouTube Page
  • View our LinkedIn Page

Subscribe to Newsletter

Copyright © 2022 Township of Langley

  • Accessibility
  • Privacy & Freedom of Information
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.