Science And Policy Implications Of Atmospheric Issues In Atlantic Canada

Presents proceedings of a workshop organised to review the current science and policy status of five atmospheric issues in Atlantic Canada, to suggest realignments of research and policy priorities, and to strengthen the regional network of scientists and policy makers. The issues addressed were regional acidification, low-level oxidants, stratospheric ozone depletion, hazardous air pollutants, and climatic change. For each issue, the present situation with respect to science and to policy is reviewed and workshop deliberations are presented. The appendix includes abstracts and summaries of poster and verbal presentations related to the five issues.

Canada’s Top Climate Change Risks identifies the top risk areas based on the extent and likelihood of the potential damage, and rates the risk areas according to society’s ability to adapt and reduce negative outcomes. These 12 major areas of risk are: agriculture and food, coastal communities, ecosystems, fisheries, forestry, geopolitical dynamics, governance and capacity, human health and wellness, Indigenous ways of life, northern communities, physical infrastructure, and water. The report describes an approach to inform federal risk prioritization and adaptation responses. The Panel outlines a multi-layered method of prioritizing adaptation measures based on an understanding of the risk, adaptation potential, and federal roles and responsibilities.

Summary of the results of the 2d phase of a study to assess the physical and ecological impacts of climate change on the marine environment and economy of Atlantic Canada. The first phase focused on the potential impacts on fisheries, marine transportation, energy development, coastal infrastructure, and tourism and recreation. This report expands on the potential impacts of climate change on the fisheries and aquaculture and identifies the potential vulnerabilities of some coastal communities in Atlantic Canada.

Summarizes proceedings of a workshop that brought together ecosystem scientists and specialists in environmental prediction to discuss how to make better use of environmental prediction techniques in ecosystem science. Presentations were made on the following topics: ecosystems and assessments; data, models, and methods; real-time predictions; coastal zone modelling; and adaptive environmental management. Panel and workshop discussions covered: which characteristics of Atlantic region ecosystems to predict, and why; proposals for ecosystem projects in the Atlantic region that would make use of environmental prediction techniques; and recommendations on the next steps for better integration of environmental prediction techniques into ecosystem science. Abstracts of presentations are included in the appendix.

Addressed primarily to the environmental aspects of resource management in non-urban areas.

Discusses current and future risks and opportunities that climate change presents to Canada, with a focus on human and managed systems. Based on analysis of existing knowledge.

Presents proceedings of a workshop held to consider opportunities & challenges for protecting, restoring, and enhancing coastal habitats, with a focus on the Bay of Fundy. Presentations are organized under the following topic headings: nutrification of coastal waters; environmental issues & constraints in tidal power development; ecologically & community valued marine areas in the Bay of Fundy; scientific methods in Bay of Fundy investigations; communities, contaminants, & habitats in the Bay; and salt marshes & reserves in the Bay and Nova Scotia.

This report summarizes the most recent literature describing the impacts of current climate and the potential effects of anticipated climate change on the environment and on those social and economic sectors in Atlantic Canada most likely to undergo significant changes. Chapter 1 describes the physical, historical/cultural, and socio-economic resources of the region. Chapter 2 details current climatic conditions in Atlantic Canada, including variability and recent trends. Chapter 3 reviews the impacts of the current climate on the following: fisheries and plankton, the coastal zone, ecosystem science and water resources, agriculture, forestry, and the economy. Chapter 4 outlines measures that could be undertaken to adapt to climate change in the fishery, the coastal zone, agriculture, and forestry. The final chapter summarizes knowledge gaps and research priorities in such areas as climatological monitoring and modelling, climate change impacts, and socio-economic issues.