Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions (ACAS)

An initiative of the Atlantic provinces and the Government of Canada

Regional Adaptation Collaborative

The concept of the RAC arose from the findings of From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate (www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/climate-change/community-adaptation/assessments/132) The program recognized the need for a regional approach to adaptation and to build on the foundation of local knowledge and expertise in government and non-government decision-makers and practitioners across the country

Regional Adaptation Collaborative

The Atlantic provinces collaborated on adaptation projects with a principal focus of impacts that occur at the interface of land and sea. The objective of the program was to provide individuals and communities with a better understanding of their vulnerabilities to the effects of extreme weather events and long-term climate change and take ownership of the risks by developing policies and plans that reduce the negative economic and social costs of climate change.

Under these Tasks/subtasks25 projects across the Atlantic provinces50 communities of a variety of sizes involved100 non-profit and for profit partners

$8.2 M = total budget$3.5 M = NRCan cash$2.3 M = Prov Gov’t/Partners cash$2.4 M = in-kind contributions

Union Corner Provincial Park, PE

Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Resources

Atlantic Canada is already affected by severe weather events

Nova ScotiaMeat Cove

New Brunswick Southwest NB

$35 Million

• December 2010• Flooding and Storm Surge

• Aug 21 and 22, 2010• Torrential Rains, Severe Flash

Flooding$7 Million

Prince Edward IslandNorth and Eastern Shore

• Dec 26 and 27, 2004• Nor’easter - Snow, Wind and

Storm Surge

$9 Million

Newfoundland and Labrador200 Communities• Sep 20 and 21, 2010• Hurricane Igor - Rain and

Wind

$165 Million

Regional Adaptation Collaborative

Projects have:• helped assess climate risk and vulnerability• advanced adaptation decision-making through the development of regionally

relevant tools, knowledge, networks and policies

Coastal Risk and Vulnerability Inland Risk and Vulnerability

Capacity Building with Communities/Practitioners

Groundwater Risk and Vulnerability

Infrastructure Risk and Vulnerability

Adaptation Project LocationsNew BrunswickAcadian Peninsula – Coastal Erosion, Flood VulnerabilityMoncton – Inland Flooding, Storm water Management in relation to tides/sea-levelGrand Falls – Slope erosion and stabilitySaint John – Flood Risk and Land Use in tidal environmentTantramar – Infrastructure Risk and Dyke Flood ProtectionRichicbucto – Modeling saltwater intrusion in municipal wellsInfrastructure Risk Assessments – Port Elgin, Memramcook, Cocagne

Nova ScotiaYarmouth – Coastal impacts (erosion , flood risk, infrastructure ) awareness & capacityLunenburg - Coastal impacts (erosion , flood risk, infrastructure ) awareness & capacityMinas Basin – Coastal Impacts (dyke mgm’t, saltwater intrusion, infrastructure) awareness & capacityOxford – Inland Flooding, Storm water Management in relation to tides/sea-level (saltwater intrusion, infrastructure)Tantramar - Infrastructure Risk and Dyke Flood ProtectionHRM – Coastal and Inland Impacts (Infrastructure, wave models,

Adaptation Project Locations

Prince Edward IslandSummerside – Coastal change and erosion rates between 1935 – present; Saltwater intrusionStratford – Erosion, Shoreline Classification , Storm water DrainageHillsborough River – Flood Risk MapsCommunity Vulnerability Assessment – Souris, Mt Stewart, Victoria, N. RusticoEntire Province –

Inventory Extreme Weather EventsClimate Change ScenariosEstablish High Water MarksShoreline ClassificationVector ShorelinesLand Use InventoryStorm Surge Hazard MappingUpdating IDF Curves

Newfoundland and LabradorCommunity Vulnerability Assessment –Logy Bay, Ferryland, Corner Brook, Irishtown, Fortune, Indian Bay, NainShearstown – Comparison of mapping technology (e.g. LiDAR, satellite)West Coast – Saltwater IntrusionFlood Risk Protocols – Bay Roberts, Stephenville CrossingFlood Risk Assessment – 30+ communities

All communities –Climate Forecasting ScenariosShoreline Classification

• erosion will increase with more intense and frequent storms

• $4 Billion worth of property at risk

• historical erosion rates updated

• future rates will likely be 1.5 - 2 times

• coastal development policies are inadequate

Coastal Land Use Risk and VulnerabilityCoastal Erosion Assessment - Prince Edward Island

RESULTS:

Alberton, PEI

• Bank failure and erosion threatens numerous properties and significant infrastructure

• Impacts from heavy rain events and river flooding expected to increase

• Risk assessment and mapping completed and recommendations made for improved stormwater management, bank stabilisation and future development planning

Inland Land Use Risk and VulnerabilityGrand Falls, NB Slope Stability and Erosion Assessment

RESULTS:

Infrastructure Risk and Vulnerability

• Much critical infrastructure not built to withstand future climate conditions.

Chignecto Isthmus, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

• Vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, e.g. dykes, road and rail in Chignecto Isthmus

• Assessments of infrastructure vulnerability to:

• Sea Level Rise + 1 metre ?• Storm surges + 2 metres ?

• Recommendations for infrastructure / transportation adaptations - design and placement.

RESULTS:

NEXT STEPS:

Why did we collaborate?

• Adaptation focus is relatively new and climate science is technical and multi-dimensional

• Common issues, conditions and objectives• Action needed is costly, complex and long-term • Involves multiple stakeholders

– Outcomes are improved by involving multiple skill sets and jurisdictions

– Implementation often involves multiple areas of authority– No one group has all the expertise

• Achieve better results than could be accomplished independently

The Future of Climate Adaptation

• The job hasn’t been completed• There is information/tools out there • There are knowledgeable people available –

researchers, local/provincial government• There is value in working with neighbouring

communities or associations

Going Forward

Data Gathering

ActionPolicy

Development

KnowledgeData

Gathering

Hazard Mapping /

Assessment

Awareness Hazard

Mapping / Assessment

Thank You/Merci

New Brunswick (2008)

Prince Edward Island (2000) Newfoundland and Labrador (2005)

Nova Scotia (2003)