Government of Canada
2002/08
February 7, 2002

HOW DO WE ADAPT TO OUR CHANGING CLIMATE?

OTTAWA — A new research network that will help us adapt to our changing climate will soon extend across the country. Thanks to a $10-million investment from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network (C-CIARN) is bringing together researchers and decision makers from industry, governments and non-governmental organizations who work on adapting to the changing climate.

"This relatively new field of research is helping us to understand the impacts resulting from changes in our climate and to develop strategies to adapt," said Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). "C-CIARN will focus on the practical needs of specific economic sectors and regions. By increasing our capacity to adapt, we can reduce our vulnerability to the effects of climate change."

"While working hard to meet our greenhouse gas emissions target we also have a responsibility to help Canadians prepare for the climate changes that have already begun," said Environment Minister David Anderson. "We see the livelihood of Northern communities being threatened, stress on the forest industry and fisheries, and danger to our coastal infrastructure. The Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network will help to provide decision makers with a better understanding of climate change implications at the local level."

C-CIARN facilitates research related to climate change impacts and adaptation across scientific disciplines. It provides a focal point for contacts, data and information relating to impacts and adaptation research, and identifies research gaps, priorities and capacity needs. There are six regional and seven sectoral groups connecting researchers and stakeholders across the country. For instance, C-CIARN Atlantic will hold its first workshop at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on February 7 and 8 to examine the specific impacts of climate change on the Atlantic provinces. These include a rising sea level, effects on the Acadian forest, changes to ocean currents, frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, and changes in the dynamics of regional water resources.

The Government of Canada is investing $100,000 per year over five years for C-CIARN Atlantic and the other regional links. This investment will encourage equivalent in-cash and in-kind contributions from partner universities, provincial and municipal governments and private sector institutions. Dalhousie University is the host agency for C-CIARN Atlantic.

Funding for C-CIARN is provided for in the Government of Canada budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework. The funding for this initiative builds on the Government of Canada's $1.1-billion commitment to help address climate change and implement energy-efficient initiatives.

For more information, media may contact:

Heather Bala
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-7252