Sector Impacts and Adaptation chapter of Canada in a Changing Climate: National Issues Report released on June 28th, 2021
Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC3) members and Waterloo Professors Daniel Scott and Jason Thistlethwaite are contributing authors of the Sector Impacts and Adaptation chapter of the Canada in a Changing Climate: National Issues Report, released on June 28th, 2021 by the Government of Canada.
“Climate change is increasingly influencing Canadian tourism assets, operations, investment, and travel patterns, requiring ongoing adaptation by all tourism destinations” says Daniel Scott. “As Canada’s largest service sector recovers from the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, government, business, and destination communities must co-invest in the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient tourism sector that is globally more competitive.”
Canadians across the country are experiencing the impacts of climate change – from drought and wildfire to flooding and extreme heat – highlighting the need not only for action, but for sound evidence to guide climate change adaptation policy in Canada into the next century. The Sector Impacts and Adaptation chapter reveals specific challenges, observations, and opportunities for Canada, including increasing severity of floods, drought, and wildfires; specific threats and opportunities facing the agriculture, fisheries, energy, transportation, forestry, mining and tourism sectors across Canada; and the role of governments, individuals and private industry in adaptation planning.
“Corporations represent an underutilized source of expertise and resources in protecting Canadians from the harms of climate change” explains Jason Thistlethwaite. “This is particularly the case in the aftermath of a climate disaster when corporations can provide services, supplies and logistics to help a community recover. Increasing the involvement of corporations in accelerating adaptation in Canada requires more research to identify an appropriate role for corporations alongside government efforts.”
The Sector Impacts and Adaptation chapteris one of nine chapters from the Canada in a Changing Climate: National Issues Report, led by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). The report provides decision makers with a national perspective on how climate change is impacting our communities, environment and economy, and how we are adapting. The report draws from current literature and knowledge on climate change impacts and adaptation, and focuses on issues of national importance and that benefit from an integrated pan-Canadian perspective.
