Climate Change Adaptation Workshop

for Atlantic Canada

Jody L. MacLeod, P.Eng.CBCL Limited

May 9, 2008

Infrastructure Challenges in a Changing Environment

Infrastructure Challenges in a Infrastructure Challenges in a Changing EnvironmentChanging Environment

TOPIC:Protecting existing coastal infrastructure from damage due to climate change effect such as increased storm events, flooding and coastal erosion.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the coastal impacts on Prince Edward Island and the response strategies in place, and to identify areas requiring further action.

What We Know About Climate What We Know About Climate ChangeChange

• The climate is warming• Sea level is rising• Increased storm surge frequency• Increased frequency of severe weather events• Increased coastal erosion

Examples of OccurrencesExamples of Occurrences

• January 2000 flood of the Charlottetown Harbour (extreme water was 4.22m above chart datum, surge of 1.4m)

• September 29, 2003 Hurricane Juan

• February 2004 Storm Surge in Charlottetown (surge of 1.1m)

• December 26, 2004 Storm Surge, North Shore

Hurricane Juan Storm Damage

Juan Storm Damage

Storm Surge Damage Basin Head Wharf

Storm Surge Damage

Storm Surge Damage Basin Head Wharf

Storm Surge Damage Basin Head Wharf

Options For ResponseOptions For Response

• Abandon• Retreat• Adapt

How is PEI RespondingHow is PEI Responding1. Inaction: Some infrastructure is being

abandoned and retreat is occurring.

2. Mitigation: Promoting clean power generation such as wind energy to reduce global warming via GHG emissions reduction.

3. Adaptation: Beginning to develop policy & operational approaches to reduce climate change risk, vulnerability and damage.

How is PEI RespondingHow is PEI Responding

• Short Term - fix damage as it occurs or retreat and abandon infrastructure.

• Long Term - communities developing sustainability plans.

What do We Need to Move What do We Need to Move ForwardForward

• Organized approach to understanding the affects.

• Funding for restoration projects that also address climate change factors.

• Co-operation of municipal, provincial and federal governments.

• Compilation of local data for a tool for stakeholders and designers to make informed decisions.

Juan Repairs Juan Repairs -- New Shoreline New Shoreline ProtectionProtection

Completed Wharf

What Are Municipalities Doing?What Are Municipalities Doing?• Developing Sustainablility plans• Updating EMO plans• Recommending buildings be built above

the predicted 100 year storm surge level• Trying to protect necessary infrastructure• Requesting slow release storm water

systems• Educate Public

Charlottetown Charlottetown Flood PlanningFlood Planning

Infrastructure Requiring Infrastructure Requiring ProtectionProtection

Charlottetown Pollution Control Plant

Infrastructure Requiring Infrastructure Requiring ProtectionProtection

Summerside Waste Water Treatment Plant

What is the Province Doing?What is the Province Doing?• Assessing infrastructure projects on an

project by project basis.• Raising bridge clearances when possible.• Relocating infrastructure.• Rebuilding and protecting shoreline

roads.• Making contingency plans for

abandonment of certain roads.

Should This be Protected?Should This be Protected?

What About This?

Storm Surge Damage Panmure Island

How Do You Protect This?How Do You Protect This?

Greenwich National Park

Or Protect This?Or Protect This?

Cavendish Beach

What are Engineers Doing?What are Engineers Doing?

CBCL Limited is:• Doing as much as we can to help

educate stakeholders about options.• Promoting infrastructure planning• Promoting holistic approaches to

damage response• Getting involved in ClimAdapt• Getting innovative!

What Now?What Now?

• There is a noticeable void in adaptation expertise (reducing risk and vulnerability to climate impact) in Canada and overseas to complement efforts already underway to mitigate climate change through GHG emissions reduction.

• THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Available Tools and GuidesAvailable Tools and GuidesAvailable from: climadapt@ns.sympatico.ca:

• Practitioners & Policy-Makers Guide: Incorporating Climate Change into the Environmental Impact Assessment Process

• Practitioner’s Guide to Incorporating Climate Change into an ISO 14001 Compatible Environmental Management System

Available Tools and GuidesAvailable Tools and GuidesSoon to be available from climadapt@ns.sympatico.ca:

• Climate-Related Land-Use Planning (LUP)• Community-Based Vulnerability & Risk

Management Toolkit• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

Management Plan• Climate Change Adaptation Planning &

Management Options Guide• Cost-Benefit Adaptation Assessment Toolkit• Public Education & Outreach Mitigation &

Adaptation Toolkit

What do we Need for What do we Need for Infrastructure?Infrastructure?

• Organized approach to understanding the affects on infrastructure.

• Funding for restoration projects that also address climate change factors.

• Co-operation of municipal, provincial and federal governments in funding efforts.

• Increased funding for data acquisition like tide gauges in ports.

What Else Do We Need?What Else Do We Need?

• Compilation of local data for a tool for stakeholders and designers to make informed decisions.

• Incorporation and mainstreaming of adaptation recommendations into design guidelines for use by engineers and other technical professionals.

We Need?We Need?

• Cooperation

• Funding

• Innovation

• Holistic Approaches

• Information

Thank YouThank You