Earth Sciences Sector - Climate Change (2006-2009)

A key question Canadians ask: How can we reduce the effects of climate change on our communities and infrastructure?

Faced with a changing climate, Canadians need to understand, prepare for, and adapt to the environmental, economic and societal effects on their communities, infrastructure, and way of life. This program will generate and publicize earth-science data and information aimed at an improved assessment of the sensitivity and response of Canada's landmass and coastal areas to the effects of a changing climate. The intent is the incorporation of this new knowledge in planning and natural capital management. The new program will target key opportunities to improve the resilience of Canadians as identified through extensive consultations.

Outputs

Assessment of climate change impact on water-reliant sectors.
Adaptation options for agriculture, tar sands production and habitat management.
Criteria and methodology for assessment of community vulnerability.
Documentation of vulnerabilities for community stakeholders.
Learning, decision-making tools adapted for planning use.
Regional assessments of landscape and ecosystem response.
National datasets and databases on landscape change.
Paleo-environmental reconstructions for impact studies and to constrain models.
Reports, contribution to synthesis products and national and international assessments.

Long-Term Outcomes

Canada's resilience to climate change is enhanced through effective adaptation strategies informed by ESS geoscience and geomatics outputs.