Adapting to Climate Change in

Transcription

1 Adapting to Climate Change in Newfoundland and Labrador The Conference Board of Canada March 24, 2009 Tammy Keats, MSc Manager of Resource Program Development Dept of Environment and Conservation

2 Water, Water everywhere Major impact for this province, Canada and around the world will be water Too little water Too much water Melting water Sea level rise Freezing rain Ice jams Water flowing outside its natural or built barriers Source: Environment Canada, Gary Lines

3 Community work by academia Labrador Local Government Aboriginal Government Trevor Bell, MUN, Labrador Institute, Labrador Highlands Research Group Since 2001 March 2008 Workshop on Climate Change and Renewable Resources in Labrador. Community-based Observation Program A web-accessible database of key literature A synthesis of climate change impacts and adaptation priorities from the perspective of local decision-makers in Labrador.

4 Community work by academia Norm Catto, MUN All Hazard Assessments Burin Peninsula Gander Humber Valley Stephenville Crossing risk assessment

5 PIEVC - Placentia Breakwater flooding 1960s Backside Wall Dunville Highway damaged in Tropical Storm Chantal 2007

6 Climate Change Action Plan action items 20 focus on adaptation Most work has been increasing awareness government communities industries Climate Change and Health Impacts Atlantic Conference 2006 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Workshops for Municipalities

7 Barriers and Challenges Disperse population 600+communities; total pop. 550,000 Out-migration Community financial constraints small tax base Limited human resources Aging volunteer sector Part-time community staff Need to build local capacity Short term planning approach of some local governments Communities built on the coast or near river systems

8 Barriers and Challenges Large landmass covering several climatic regions 600 plus communities Limited climate forecasting for next century Limited, readily available geospatial data Labrador is very different from Newfoundland and the rest of Atlantic Canada

9 Uniqueness of Labrador Labrador and northern areas will face unique challenges. way of life is very connected to nature, traditional knowledge will not be enough early melting of ice roads and routes main transportation melting permafrost changes in ecosystems, and native species distribution and abundance

10 Strength in our people Engaged provincial and federal government partners Rural Secretariat Regional Staff Municipalities NL Local government leaders and planners Regional Planning Groups Memorial University, Marine Institute, Labrador Institute Atlantic Institute of Planner Newfoundland Environmental Industries Association Sierra Club Climate Change Education Centre and Conservation Corps Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of NL Engineers Canada

11 Strengths Commitment of partners to help communities adapt In depth knowledge of the partners in areas of expertise Capacity within communities to adapt especially to environmental conditions Strong partnerships already exist Ability to work together within the province and with other Atlantic Provinces

12 Current adaptation work Academic Community Memorial University Geography Marine Institute GIS/LiDAR Labrador Institute NL Climate Change Action Plan 2005 large adaptation component Increased awareness within government and local communities through workshops and outreach

13 Contact information John Drover, P.Eng Director of Policy and Planning Division Department of Environment and Conservation PO Box 8700, St. John's, NL, A1B 4J6 t ; f e. Tammy Keats, MSc Manager of Resource Program Development Policy and Planning Division Department of Environment and Conservation PO Box 8700, St. John's, NL, A1B 4J6 t ; f e.