Education is key to implementing strategic solutions The simple fact is, we don’t know
we must adapt and implement
tures from a given location’s normal
what we don’t know.
strategies to combat changes such
weather conditions. This can be po-
A lack of awareness and opera-
as those resulting from our climate.
tentially destructive because they
tional knowledge is impacting our
Changes in our climate pose one of
exceed the range of weather inten-
buildings and the degree to which
the most significant risks faced by
sity a location normally experiences
they are operated effectively. Clos-
Canadian communities, particular-
(2). How do we combat or mitigate
ing this knowledge gap by access-
ly in the form of extreme weather
the significant damages our facili-
ing education through industry as-
such as severe thunderstorms, ice
ties face?
sociations and educational provid-
storms,
ers is essential if school boards are
blizzards, and tornadoes (1).
to elevate the knowledge base of those managing their buildings.
hailstorms,
windstorms,
In January 2019, BOMA Canada released its Resilience Brief where
Canada’s national climate change
it highlighted several adaptation
assessment is projecting that in the
and best practice strategies to help
At the crossroads of each hall-
coming decades, there will be more
mitigate local flood risks. Some of
way there are strategies that can
frequent and more intense extreme
the strategies included:
be taken to improve and maximize
weather events in most parts of
• Conduct a local flood risk assess-
the operations of the buildings we
Canada. While these events are
ment to determine the minimum
oversee.
currently infrequent, they will even-
capacity of rain to flood entry
tually prove to be significant depar-
points. Locate and assess each of
As the world around us evolves,
44
Ops Talk • Spring 2019
