Events

Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) provides a framework to move the country toward a climate-resilient future. The strategy lays out a critical foundation for Canada’s adaptation efforts but experts agree that this is only the first step, and that the success of the strategy will be measured by how we implement and carry out the adaptation plan. To better understand the strategy and its potential impact, the University of Waterloo’s Climate Institute hosted a webinar that brought together several of Canada’s leading adaptation experts who participated in its development.

From November 6-18, the world will come together in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for the international climate change negotiations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) annual Conference of the Parties (COP). Before the University’s COP27 delegation departs, the Waterloo Climate Institute held an in-person discussion with them to reflect on the crucial issues that need to be tackled, Canada’s role in the negotiations, and what outcomes they hope to witness and achieve.

On April 27, 2022, IC3’s Executive Director, Sarah Burch, spoke with climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, who The New York Times called “one of the nation's most effective communicators on climate change.” They discussed climate change communications, strategies for individual and collective action, transition inequities, the role of children and youth, and so much more. They also weighed in on what we’re all wondering – is there hope?

Climate change poses significant and increasing risks to water security in urban settings. Addressing this complex challenge requires collaboration and the incorporation of expertise across various disciplines. Starting at the end of May, the University of Waterloo’s Water Institute (WI) and IC3 are advancing these efforts by co-delivering a uniquely designed, three-week virtual summer school, “Climate Change and Water Security in Urbanized Watersheds: An Interdisciplinary Perspective.” The summer school, aimed at graduate students and practitioners, will comprise of daily one hour sessions, Monday to Friday, from May 30 to June 17, 2022.

On March 9, the University of Waterloo's Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change hosted an informative discussion on the findings of Health Canada's latest national report, Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate. The lead authors, Peter Berry, Rebekka Schnitter and Paddy Enright, reflected on key insights from the wide-ranging report and highlighted the priority knowledge gaps facing Canadians. This was followed by a Q&A with a panel of Waterloo's climate change and health experts, moderated by Dean of Faculty of Health, Lili Liu. Learn more about the key findings from the authors and the reflections from IC3 climate change experts. 

Unpacking the international governance framework of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Moderated by Waterloo Professor Ian Rowlands, the discussion explored how COP fits into the global climate change governance system, and featured guest speakers who shared their own COP experiences.