To adapt to climate change, the knowledge gained from scientific research must be transferred to planners and decision-makers. The following stories are examples of how research activities have led to climate change adaptation planning in Canada. These examples illustrate the importance of transferring knowledge effectively, and represent some of the success stories that will reduce the negative impacts associated with climate change.

Impacts of Sea Level Rise and Climate Change on Coastal New Brunswick and Quebec

Coastal ecosystems and communities in Canada are vulnerable to rising sea levels and related impacts of a changing climate such as storm surges, flooding, erosion, and the intrusion of saltwater into freshwater systems. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence coastal zone sea level is already rising at an accelerating rate, placing communities, infrastructure, and coastal ecosystems at risk. This area also faces increasing pressures of coastal development and is important for ecosystem sustainability. For example, near Moncton, an increased demand for homes with a view of the sea has resulted in placing high-value homes in hazardous areas and creating incentives for infilling and reclamation of coastal wetlands.

Numerous studies and mitigation measures have been implemented to help coastal communities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence adapt to sea level rise and climate change impacts. New Brunswick's Coastal Areas Protection Policy of 2003 is an early example of adaptation mainstreaming - the integration of climate change considerations into routine planning. The policy provides an umbrella for coastal management and adaptation at the local level. Specific adaptation options depend on the particular economic and environmental conditions in the area but the range of options includes:

• Coastal policies and land-use planning strategies such as zoning, setbacks and reserves to manage human activities in at-risk coastal zones;
• Engineering protection and stabilization strategies such as breakwaters, seawall and concrete structures to prevent coastal areas from washing away.

In a three-year (2003–06) research project involving scientists from Natural Resources Canada, digital elevation models were developed to identify areas vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion, and sea-level rise.  An important aspect of the research was to determine how sea-level rise and future storm events will impact critical habitat and species at risk. The results of the study support sustainable management practices and adaptation strategies.

The research was paralleled by research efforts from the University of Moncton and the University of Quebec at Rimouski that engaged coastal communities in Quebec and New Brunswick in a decision-making process focused on climate change adaptation planning. Coastal communities face different impacts and have employed various mitigation measures, mostly in the form of solid barriers for erosion protection. However, differing geologic and socioeconomic factors cause communities to have varying degrees of vulnerability to risks associated with climate change. For example, smaller, isolated communities with declining populations and a high dependency on declining natural resources tend to have a higher degree of vulnerability than communities that have strong community leaders, are closer to urban areas, and are less resource-dependant.

Researchers sought to increase the resiliency of coastal communities to climate change impacts through a community engagement process. Local knowledge and perceptions were identified, scientific knowledge was presented, and adaptation strategies were developed by community members. Through the merging of scientific and local knowledge, researchers and participants found that challenges and opportunities were better understood, which influenced the adaptation strategies selected. The engagement process helped communities accept new solutions, become better informed of scientific knowledge and uncertainties, and strengthen ties with decision-makers. Overall, it was found that there is a need for citizens, decision-makers, and scientists to strengthen their networks, learn from each other, and engage in communication and decision-making processes to plan for sustainable development and climate change adaptation.

Decreasing Water Supply in Alberta

Climate change projections for western Canada indicate a strong possibility that glacier-fed river water supply for cities such as Calgary will be affected. Initially, melting glaciers will increase river flow, but over the long term lower flows are expected as glacier supplies decline. Increased evapotranspiration from higher air temperatures and a rise in water demand due to longer growing seasons will further strain Alberta’s water resources.

Natural Resources Canada has been working with the City of Calgary since 2004 to quantify the impacts that climate changes are likely to have on Calgary’s water supply and explore adaptation options to ensure the sustainability of this resource. Calgary has already used the results of this research towards developing a total water management strategy. Continued use of research results is assured, as Calgary’s work plan for 2009-2011 identified an assessment of climate change impacts as one of the top priorities for the city.

Reducing Calgary’s vulnerability to water supply changes through infrastructure improvements, watershed protection, water conservation, and new uses of other water sources are some of the adaptation strategies being explored. For example, stormwater could be used to irrigate public lands or the water could be re-used in urban areas after proper treatment. By establishing and strengthening connections between programs and departments, the City is taking an integrated approach to climate change adaptation strategies.

Calgary's fresh water is drawn from the Bow and Elbow Rivers, which is supplied by snow and glaciers in Alberta's Rocky Mountains.

Calgary is also partnering with the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (www.pievc.ca) to assess the City’s vulnerability to climate change impacts. Funded by Natural Resources Canada and Engineers Canada, PIEVC looks at the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change from an engineering perspective. PIEVC is currently developing methodology to assess buildings, roads and road-associated structures, stormwater/wastewater systems, and water resources. A total vulnerability assessment is scheduled for Calgary in 2010.

Calgary provides an excellent example of a community actively planning for climate change impacts. “The risks from climate change in our region are being assessed and considered in all of our long range planning” comments Paul Fesko, Manager of Strategic Services for the City of Calgary’s Water Resources department. By promoting water conservation, upgrading infrastructure, and exploring innovative options, Calgary will ensure the sustainability of its water resources under future climate regimes.

For more information:

Water Demand and Supply in Calgary – Planning for Climate Change

Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC)

Canadian Institute of Planners- Municipal Case Studies

Sea Level Rise and the Fraser River Delta

Climate change in the form of sea level rise, increased storm surge heights, and more extreme rainfalls will likely increase the risk of dyke breaching and severe flooding in the Fraser Valley and Delta region. A major flood would put at risk the safety of more than one million Canadians and damage millions of dollars of infrastructure, including key transportation links from the Port of Vancouver. A disaster on this scale would have a major impact on the Canadian economy.

Individual municipalities and Metro Vancouver are reviewing their flood control infrastructure (including 600 km of dykes, 400 flood boxes, and 100 pumping stations) and developing plans to manage this increased risk. Delta and Richmond are conducting reviews of dyke height and condition. In some cases, work has already begun on reinforcing dykes. Metro Vancouver is planning a risk assessment study of their wastewater treatment plants.

Flood control is imperative for the Corporation of Delta, which is located on the lowlands of the Fraser River delta and is subject to subsidence in some areas. Following an overview of their current flood management plan, Delta has begun a risk management study to evaluate the resilience of their infrastructure to flooding events. This will lead to a Flood Plain Bylaw review, which will look at amending the type of development permitted in areas that have a higher risk of flooding. Delta has also begun monitoring sea level to further mitigate this threat to Delta’s dyke system.

A Natural Resource Canada study of the impacts of sea level rise on the Corporation of Delta helped to characterize this threat to the Fraser River delta. Scientists working in the Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate program continue to provide new information on sea level rise and subsidence (which increases the flood risk), as well as data to assist with visualization and public awareness of the issue. Natural Resources Canada has also worked with the Province of British Columbia to produce a report that provides regional information on sea level rise in the Province to evaluate similar risks to other coastal communities. The report, “Projected Sea Level Changes for British Columbia in the 21st Century”, is a synthesis of a technical report produced by Natural Resources Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

For more information, please refer to:

Projected Sea Level Changes for British Columbia in the 21st Century