MONTREAL, April 18, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The first event of its kind in more than 10 years, the national symposium Adaptation Canada 2016, organized jointly by the Ouranos consortium on regional climatology and adaptation to climate change, and the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR), gathered some 650 people to Ottawa from April 12-14.
A diverse cross section of practitioners and policy-makers, hailing from various public sector departments from municipal to federal levels, from industry and private sector, and from conservation and environmental groups, took part in over 250 presentations and panel discussions touching on a vast panorama of themes all linked to climate change.
"Adaptation Canada 2016 is a success, emphasized Alain Bourque, Executive Director of Ouranos. This national event showcased climate change adaptation projects from across the country that can be applied in a wider context. We are convinced these results will contribute further momentum to development and implementation of practical solutions to climate change."
The participants left with the conviction that their continuing efforts to develop social and technological innovations, bolstered by advances in science, will further enable evidence-based decision-making and help reduce vulnerabilities. Moreover, many resources were revealed during the event, including an assessment of coastal risks in Canada.
Four major conclusions from Adaptation Canada 2016 highlight the progress that has been made over the last decade on a number of fronts:
- Recognizing that climate changes is already occurring and many impacts are observable, it is necessary to learn to live with changing climate, both in terms of long term averages and increasing weather extremes;
- Adaptation to climate change is not an alternative to or hindrance from efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, rather a complimentary and indispensible solution;
- Adaptation clearly represents an opportunity to develop a more robust and sustainable economy as we build safer, more resilient communities;
- Increased awareness of climate impacts and adaptation solutions, coupled with leadership amongst policy makers, will allow for better management of risks and opportunities associated with climate change.
According to Al Douglas, Director of OCCIAR, a biennial symposium could be considered. "It's obvious from the large number of symposium participants from all across Canada, that a national adaptation symposium of this nature has important place on the agenda of our country's policy makers, practitioners and researchers, in order to share tools and experiences that will help reduce society's vulnerability to climate change and identify new and emerging opportunities.
About OCCIAR
The Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR) at MIRARCO is dedicated to assisting communities and sectors adapt to climate change through the provision of climate science and adaptation tools. The Centre is also a resource hub for researchers and stakeholders searching for activities, events and resources on climate change impacts and adaptation.
About Ouranos
Ouranos was founded in 2001 from the shared vision of the Government of Quebec, Hydro-Québec and Environment Canada and the financial support of Valorisation-Recherche Québec. Integrating some 450 scientists and professionals from different disciplines, Ouranos focuses on climate science, in particular climate vulnerability, impacts and adaptation. The consortium's mission is to acquire and develop knowledge on climate change and its impacts as well as on socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities to allow informing policymakers about climate change and to consult them about how to best identify, evaluate, promote and implement local and regional adaptation strategies.
SOURCE Adaptation Canada
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