The outgoing CEO of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador says the biggest single issue facing municipal governments now and into the future is climate change.

Craig Pollett is handing the reins over to Rob Nolan, whose focus as a political science grad and past chair of Happy City St. John’s has been on climate change.

Pollett says there’s little debate over the effects increased extreme weather activity are having on municipal infrastructure and towns and cities have to be prepared.

He says the time for talking is over because the impact of climate change on municipalities is “outrageously expensive.”