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Climate Resilient Grey

Climate change is not a distant threat - it is here now. Warmer, wetter, and wilder weather is already affecting our infrastructure, economy, health, and natural environment. But together, we an make our community more resilient. 

Grey County is developing a community-wide climate adaptation plan. This plan will identify how climate change is impacting our region, which infrastructure and services that will be most impacted, and prioritized actions to mitigate impacts and increase community resilience. While climate change mitigation aims to slow climate impacts by reducing greenhouse gas pollution, climate adaptation aims to adjust how we do things, so the impacts will be less disruptive to our everyday lives. In other words, adaptation actions help us better prepare for and recover from the impacts of climate change.

Your participation is key in building a climate ready future in Grey County. Preparing today to protect tomorrow. 

How is Grey County's climate changing?

Residents across Grey County are already experiencing the impacts of a changing climate. Climate projections show significant local changes by the year 2080

  • Warmer temperatures: Average annual temperatures could rise from 6.7°C to 11.4°C. The number of very hot days (above 30°C) is expected to increase from 5 to 38 days per year.
  • Milder winters: Very cold days (below -15°C) will decline significantly, from 22 days to 2 days per year.
  • More rain and snow: Annual rainfall and snowfall are projected to increase from 998 mm to 1128 mm, with the biggest increases in winter.
  • Heavier storms: More days with heavy rainfall (over 10 mm), increasing from 28 to 34 days per year.
  • Longer growing season: The number of frost-free days is expected to increase from 164 days to 212 days.
  • More drought risk: Longer periods without rain, increasing the risk of drought, soil erosion, and nutrient loss.

For more information about what Grey County's future climate will be like, take a look at the Future Climate Projections infographic or Climate Science Report. 

Work Completed So Far

Since August 2024, Grey County staff have been working with a multi-stakeholder Climate Adaptation Working Group - with representation from municipalities, conservation authorities, agricultural organizations, social service organizations, and Indigenous groups to identify and prioritize key climate impacts.

Work to Date Timeline

How You Can Get Involved

We can’t do this alone. We need to hear from you to make sure this plan reflects what’s most important. Your input will help confirm key findings from our research so far and make sure the plan addresses the priorities that matter most to you.

The first opportunity to participate will run from Tuesday, April 15 to Friday, May 9, 2025. Subscribe to the County’s climate action newsletter to be the first to know when it does!

You can participate in this process in one of three ways: 

1. Chat with Grey County staff at a local community event. 

2. Participate in a climate conversation or host your own! 

3. Share your input and ideas in an online survey. 

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Additional Information

Grey County

Situated two hours north of Toronto, Grey County offers beauty you can’t get in the city.

  • 595 9th Ave East Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 3E3
  • (519) 376-2205 | 1-800-567-4739
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