MARS launched to combat extreme weather

By Richard Riosa

Flooded streets. Collapsed bridges. Power outages. These are the effects of extreme weather on municipalities and mayors in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence region are working to combat those effects.

A group of American and Canadian mayors with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative have launched a program meant to help municipalities improve aging infrastructure to withstand the effects of extreme weather conditions such as the recent ice storm in Toronto. The program – the Municipal Adaptation and Resiliency Service  launched at Ceasars Windsor Jan. 17. – has received $145,000 in funding from the Ontario government. With a population of over 4.5 million in the affected region, MARS will help municipalities in eight states and two provinces to combat climate change.

MPP Teresa Piruzza (L–Windsor West) said the Ontario government is dedicated to supporting adaptation in the Great Lakes region.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide that funding to kick off the MARS program and the funding to partner with municipalities so they can share that research and we can really ensure that we’re protecting our Great Lakes,” said Piruzza. She also said infrastructure improvement is needed to combat climate change.

Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell also said it’s necessary for the region to adapt to climate change.

“We’re following the science and we know that we have, in our future, rainier days, extreme rain events that we need, as a city, to prepare for,” said Heartwell.

Heartwell said the city of Grand Rapids is currently looking into raising its floodwalls following a major flood in 2013.

As part of the new service, an online portal will be provided to officials from each member city. Hosted by the Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources, Cities Initiative executive director David Ullrich said the portal will be a one-stop-shop for climate change and adaptation information.

“What we are doing with MARS is trying to pull together, in one location, the best information about adaptation and resiliency for cities so that it is user friendly and easy for our member cities, and others, to find and put into practice for their cities,” said Ullrich.

Ullrich said he hopes MARS will be a useful tool for municipalities when adapting to climate change.

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said all Great Lakes region cities must remain prepared for major weather events. Francis said he believes MARS will help ensure this preparation is complete.

“There are many issues that are facing the Great Lakes and having a dedicated group of individuals (Cities Initiative) working with state and federal officials and provincial and federal officials on both sides of the border ensures that the appropriate work and planning is done,” said Francis.