Many thanks to Victoria Times Colonist for publishing my letter to the editor. Here is a link to the letter on their website.
In case the link ever gets broken, here is the content:
Re: “Without more trees, B.C.’s next heat dome could be even deadlier,” comment, July 2.
Many thanks to Dr. Bethany Ricker, David Quigg and Dr. Melissa Lem for pointing out in their op-ed the reality that “climate safety and housing need not be at odds. In fact, they must go hand in hand.”
We especially need more trees and urban greenspace “in equity-deserving neighbourhoods where tree canopy is sparse” — like downtown, Harris Green and areas to the north.
The city is working on these areas, with requirements for new buildings to protect and add trees.
City crews are adding new trees where we build bike-and-roll lanes and improve streets (e.g. Blanshard Street most recently).
Between 2013 and 2023, our urban tree canopy grew by the equivalent of 100 soccer fields, while we added more than 8,000 net new homes (almost entirely multifamily buildings).
We have much more to do. As the authors note, we need communities “that are affordable, climate-resilient and safe for all.”
And we know from experience that it’s possible.
Dave Thompson
Councillor
City of Victoria