Minister Carr to Speak to Adaptation Canada 2016 and Release Report on Climate Change Adaptation Along Canada's Marine Coasts

OTTAWA, April 12, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, will today deliver remarks at Adaptation Canada 2016's reception, where he will reinforce the importance of strengthening the resilience of Canada's communities in adapting to climate change. While at the conference, he is releasing Canada's Marine Coasts in a Changing Climate, a Government of Canada scientific report that assesses how climate change is increasingly affecting Canada's coastal regions and highlights the potential impacts on communities, economies and ecosystems.

Through case studies, the report demonstrates that adaptation, through efficient and proactive planning, can help reduce the risks posed by a changing climate. The report showcases some of the innovative work being carried out by scientists at Natural Resources Canada, including work on sea level change projections and mapping coastline sensitivity to climate change.

Natural Resources Canada engaged over 60 authors from Canadian universities, federal departments, other levels of government, industry and professional organizations to develop this scientific assessment report. The report synthesizes over 1,300 scientific publications into a definitive and accessible resource on climate change sensitivity, risks, opportunities and adaptation along Canada's marine coasts.

Key Facts

• Canada has the longest coastline in the world, and nearly 6.5 million Canadians live near our marine coasts.
• Sea level changes will vary greatly across Canada this century and beyond, and these changes, together with coastal erosion and storm-surge flooding, represent key concerns for many areas.
• The fisheries, tourism, transportation, energy and infrastructure sectors are particularly climate-sensitive and will face challenges and opportunities in a changing climate.

Quotes

"Adapting to climate change and strengthening the resilience of our communities to the impacts of climate change are vital to protecting the health and well-being of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This newly released scientific report underscores the importance of being informed by the best science available to plan for climate resilience and adaptation, which will be important elements of the pan-Canadian framework to address climate change."

The Honourable Jim Carr
Minister of Natural Resources

"This assessment report makes an important contribution to our understanding of climate change impacts and adaptation in Canada. It will help raise awareness about climate change, increase our knowledge of risks and opportunities and support more informed decision-making. Budget 2016 announced funding to ensure that these types of research and science assessment activities can continue in the future, to the benefit of all Canadians."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Related Products

Canada's Marine Coasts in a Changing Climate

Prime Minister Announces Significant New Investments in Climate Resilience

Report: Canada in a Changing Climate: Sector Perspectives on Impacts and Adaptation (2014)

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Media may contact: Laurel Munroe, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-292-6837; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100; Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338