News

The impacts of climate change are seen across the globe and are increasingly affecting our economies and societies. Adaptation to climate change is and will continue to be one of the greatest policy challenges facing the Canadian government. Despite existing knowledge on climate change impacts and adaptation, understanding the future of climate change is a complex and on-going process with many gaps existing in the body of academic, government, and other policy-relevant publications.

Studies led by the University of Waterloo, with a group of multinational researchers, have identified that climate change is threatening the future of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Temperatures are rising with the increase of global green house gas emissions, affecting the ability to reliably host the winter games across the globe. The average February daytime  temperature of the Olympic Winter Games locations is steadily increasing - from 0.48C in the 1920–1950s, to 3.18C in the 1960–1990s, to 7.88C in games held in the twenty-first century - intensifying the need for weather risk management strategies.

COP23 Delegation in Bonn, Germany

The 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties (“COP23”) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is currently underway in Bonn, Germany. We are very excited to have selected a delegation from the University of Waterloo to participate in this incredible experience and contribute to the global climate change dialogue.

The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation  (ICCA) has a launched a new report Preventing Disaster before It Strikes: Developing a Canadian Standard for Flood-Resilient Residential Communities.

University of Waterloo Delegation to the UNFCCC Climate Negotiations "COP23" (Bonn, Germany - Nov 6-17th 2017)

Do you have a strong interest in global climate governance?  Would you be able to further your research interests or career aspirations by interacting with delegates from across the world at COP23?  Are you keen to act in a leadership role to engage others on campus, in the community and on the international stage in discussions about climate change? 

Save the Date!

September 21st, 2017 marks the three-year anniversary of the People’s Climate March – and the official launch of a Canadian grassroots documentary inspired by a global movement. You are warmly invited!

AquaHacking 2017 semi-final pitch competition

The Water Institute is hosting the AquaHacking semi-finals on June 21, from 5-9 p.m. at the Centre for International Governance Innovation.

Join the Water Institute as aspiring water entrepreneurs pitch their solutions to problems facing Lake Erie.

Click here for more information and to register for the event!

A recent study led by the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC³) and Partners for Action (P4A) at the University of Waterloo demonstrates that, although the risk of floods may be on the rise, risk awareness from homeowners is lacking.

The researchers surveyed 2,300 Canadian households and found that in general, Canadians are not aware of their flood risks and are unprepared for flooding events.

Due to the growing number of costly and severe flooding events in communities across Canada, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation (Intact Centre - University of Waterloo), have announced a joint effort to develop a new report on nationally applicable best practices for flood-resilient greenfield community design.

The Record recently featured an article on Elizabeth English, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, who is leading a team of researchers on a project to help manage flood-prone areas of the Grand River.