Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in Canadian Water Resource Management

-Report assesses the state of practice in and identifies opportunities to advance climate change adaptation in water resource management across Canada-

TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - At the A.D. Lattornel Conference, Toronto and Region Conservation presented Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in Canadian Water Resource Management, a major report in Canada examining how water resources management practices across the country could and should be modified to adapt to the challenges posed by changing weather patterns and global climate change. This report is a collaboration between the Canadian Climate Forum (formerly CFCAS), the Canadian Water Resource Association, and Toronto and Region Conservation with significant contributions by provincial, municipal and aboriginal governments, watershed agencies, academia, businesses and ENGOs from across Canada. It has been funded by Natural Resource Canada's Regional Adaptation Collaborative Program. A free webinar to officially launch the report and an online knowledge compendium of water and climate adaptation resources will take place on November 20^th.

"Communities across Ontario are under pressure to adapt to climate change hazards," said Chandra Sharma, Watershed Specialist and Senior Manager Climate Change at Toronto and Region Conservation. "There are existing knowledge and experience that we've documented in this report and available on the website to help communities develop locally-relevant and practical adaptation measures."

The report provides a snapshot of the current state-of-practice with respect of climate change adaptation in water resource management across Canada; and presents a set of strategies and recommendations for effectively integrating climate change adaptation into the practice and policies of water resource management. The report explores how policies, projects and community actions have supported adaptation in water resource management across Canada.

Strategic directions for further improving adaptation are also presented in the report. These findings are examined across a variety of water issues (e.g., flooding, drought, etc.), user groups (e.g., managers, technical, economic sectors) and management levels. The analysis was driven by results from the National Forum on Water Adaptation to Climate Change held in Toronto in March, 2012, and an extensive review of literature and programs on water adaptation implemented across Canada and beyond. In addition to the Mainstreaming report, the TRCA developed an on-line, easily searchable database of projects and policies that demonstrate effective adaptation, called the National Compendium of Water Adaptation Knowledge. The database is meant to highlight best-practices in adaptation and facilitates mainstreaming by providing managers with information on actual adaptation practices. A link to the compendium is currently available at http://waterandclimate.ca

Webinar:	Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in Canadian Water Resource Management Webinar: Learn about the report findings and recommendations and how to use a water adaptation knowledge database, developed at http://waterandclimate.ca.
Date and Time:	November 20, 2012, 1:00 PM (EST)
Registration:	Please register at: https://student.gototraining.com/r/4976894649057053440

Toronto and Region Conservation
With over fifty years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look-after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity.  For more information, call 416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca

 

SOURCE: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

For media information contact:
Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation
416.661.6600 ext 5632, [email protected]