As the world prepares for COP30 in Brazil, the urgency of the climate crisis is no longer a distant concern—it’s unfolding right here in Muskoka. The shifts in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather that dominate global headlines are already reshaping our forests, lakes, and communities. If we don’t think globally and act locally, Muskoka’s future will look very different.

Present methods of construction in Ontario produce substantial quantities of greenhouse gases, and of construction waste. We could use the same raw materials, manufactured into different products that would mean less waste, less energy use in construction (all the way from harvesting materials to final delivery of the building), and more carbon stored long-term in the building products used. Innovative timber products do an excellent job of sequestering carbon for the life of the building.

Here in Muskoka, it is still possible to feel sheltered from the world’s turmoil. A quiet paddle across a misty lake or the call of loons on a moonlit evening still feels timeless. But Muskoka is not immune to climate change. Our winters are becoming more erratic and violent, as last year’s heavy snowfalls and devastating ice storm showed us. Extreme events are no longer rare—they are the new normal.