News

The Globe and Mail, January 2nd, 2017

Thomas Homer-Dixon is a professor in the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the faculty of environment at the University of Waterloo.

Those of us concerned about climate change generally inhabit an old-fashioned reality-based world. Scientific research and evidence drive our concern. Although we wish the climate problem would vanish – because, among other things, we want our kids and grandkids to have a safe future – that motivation doesn’t override what science tells us. And science tells us that climate change is a grave threat to humanity.

In March 2016, Canada's First Ministers agreed to develop a pan-Canadian framework to achieve Canada's international commitments in the Paris Agreement.

ArcticNet is a Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada with a mandate to “bring together scientists and managers in the natural, human health, and social sciences with their partners from Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies, and the private sector to study the impacts of climate change and modernization in the coastal Canadian Arctic.” It recently hosted its 12^th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) from December 5^th to 9^th in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

From November 7^th to 18^th, 2016, six University of Waterloo students from the Faculties of Science, Engineering, Arts and Environment joined world leaders in Marrakech, Morocco for the "COP22" United Nations Climate Summit. While there, the students observed negotiations on how the Paris Agreement will be implemented, learned about the challenges faced in different countries and communities, met individuals from all over the world, and experienced the power of youth dedicated to ensuring a sustainable global future.

Thanks to a dedicated "home team" of student volunteers, individuals in Waterloo got in on the action too.

Through her research, IC³ member Rebecca Saari is providing the public with information that can lead to real, observable change. With a broad scope of interests ranging from air pollution, greenhouse gases, and trade to environmental inequality, she is doing her part in the fight against climate change.

Bridging the gap between science and policy is an important process that requires constant refining and examination. Heather Douglas, with a background in the history and philosophy of science, and Elizabeth Atkinson, with a background in federal policy, are striving to build connections between the two worlds through their work at UWaterloo. 

The Record recently featured an editorial on what Donald Trump’s U.S. presidency may mean for progress on climate change action, including comments from IC³ member and Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, Blair Feltmate. News Deeply ran a story focusing on how the outcome of the U.S. election may affect Arctic issues, including comments from Professor Whitney Lackenbauer of St. Jerome’s University College.

At this very moment, political leaders from all over the world are gathering in Marrakech, Morocco for the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), which began today and will run until November 18^th. Joining them are five student delegates selected by the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC³), as well as two IC³ members and professors, who will be representing the University of Waterloo.

Startling results from a new report out of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo find all 10 provinces and Yukon are not as prepared for floods as they could be.

To aid in their mission to advance flood resiliency in Canada, Partners for Action (P4A) released their new website, www.floodsmartcanada.ca, on October 11, 2016. FloodSmartCanada is designed to be a source of information for all Canadians who want to learn more about flooding and the risks associated with it, as well as how to prepare for an emergency.