CCHIP's algorithms use data from 40 of the most recent Global Climate Models (GCMs), as well as many other sources, to provide defensible, actionable conclusions about changes across a whole array of climate and severe weather-related conditions. By tailoring this information for specific locations and sectors, CCHIP helps planners, engineers and decision makers account for future climate change impacts.
The most significant advance of CCHIP is its game-changing role in the provision of climate change data, which when accessed through the easy-to-use web portal, gives smaller organizations and individuals the ability to generate information of immediate applicability to planning decisions.
"CCHIP makes climate data accessible to a greater cross-section of Canadian society than ever before," said Daniel Krewski, CEO, Risk Sciences International. "What was once at the finger-tips of a select few groups across Canada is now within reach of a much larger cross-section of communities, organizations, and other groups interested in building the projections of climate change models, and other important climate change indicators, into their planning and infrastructure decisions."
CCHIP will be formally unveiled at Adaptation Canada 2016, a national symposium showcasing Canada's preparedness for managing risks associated with the changing climate, at noon today in Ottawa.
CCHIP reflects industry-specific needs and priorities; it is informed, for example, by the climate information required by users of the National Model Building Code of Canada, the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, design standards for overhead electricity transmission and communication towers, and dam safety guidelines.
This means that whether a planner is considering a new road in Northern Alberta or an engineer is designing a new bridge over the St. Lawrence River, CCHIP provides critical evidence in defensible, actionable data and insights to inform their design, construction and maintenance.
A number of organizations have already expressed interest in helping make CCHIP's services accessible to all Canadians. For example, the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR) has made an investment in CCHIP and will be applying the tool in its ongoing adaptation decision-support work.
The Canadian Climate Forum, a national not-for-profit developing innovative practices, policies, and tools to help Canada's economy and citizens fight climate change, also sees promise in CCHIP.
"Translating climate science into actionable information is of critical importance," said Tom Pedersen, Chair, Canadian Climate Forum. "Given the impacts of climate change that are already upon us, our mandate is more urgent than ever. We would like to see CCHIP become an important part of what we do."
Because CCHIP can highlight potential future climate change impacts on existing infrastructure, allowing planners and engineers to take the necessary steps to develop more resilient designs that safeguard investments, groups such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are also excited at the prospect of CCHIP.
"We see CCHIP playing a potentially critical role in providing the users of our standards with the information and insights they need to build the climate-resilient infrastructure of tomorrow," said Inga Hipz, Director, Sustainability Standards, CSA.
The analytics behind CCHIP have been frequently applied to real world risk analysis and adaptation decision-support in the past. A recent example was with the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. "Having worked with RSI on climate change and flooding risk assessments in our region, I am excited to see that same expertise embedded in CCHIP," said Christine Zimmer, Senior Manager, Water Infrastructure and Climate Change Science. "In fact, we are evaluating how to use CCHIP to power upcoming flood risk assessment and asset management products of our own."
While the battle against climate change is far from over, CCHIP provides organizations with the ability to ensure that they can reduce the most severe effects.
"Climate change is real, and as much as we're starting to make changes to ensure its worst effects are never realized, a certain degree of adaptation will be required," said Greg Paoli, co-founder and chief operating officer, Risk Sciences International.
To find out more about CCHIP or sign up for the beta test, please visit cchip.ca.
About Risk Sciences International (RSI): RSI is a consulting company specializing in the assessment, management, and communication of health and environmental risks and their broader impacts on both public and private interests.
RSI was established in partnership with the University of Ottawa to meet the increasing need for multi-disciplinary risk management expertise. Our senior staff and network of consultants have substantial experience in the establishment and leadership of, as well as service on, expert panels in a variety of health, climate, and environmental risk domains.
For more information about RSI visit http://www.risksciences.com
Contact:
Spencer Callaghan
[email protected]
613-231-3355 ext. 220
613-355-5195
SOURCE Risk Sciences International (RSI)
Image with caption: "Risk Sciences International launches CCHIP, a new game-changing climate app (CNW Group/Risk Sciences International (RSI))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160412_C8996_PHOTO_EN_664212.jpg
Share this article