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By on November 02nd, 2018

(Nov 7) The Intersection of Financial Risk and Climate Resilience

ASU’s School of Sustainability in partnership with the National Council for Science and the Environment are hosting a webinar on November 7th, where panelists will explore the risks and opportunities in the resilience finance marketplace and the financial mechanisms available to identify, evaluate, and manage climate risk.
Panelists include;
  • Joyce Coffee (Moderator): President, Climate Resilience Consulting Senior Sustainability Fellow, ASU Global Institute of Sustainability
  • Samantha Medlock: Senior Vice President and North American Head of Capital, Science and Policy, Willis Towers Watson
  • Kurt Forsgren: Managing Director, U.S. Public Finance S&P Global
  • James McMahon: CEO, The Climate Service

For more information and to register for this webinar see here.

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Extreme Weather • Health Risks • New Technologies
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By on November 02nd, 2018

(Nov 9) 2050: Degrees of Change Live Recording

On November 9th, CBC Vancouver’s podcast 2050: Degrees of Change will be hosting a live recording of their newest episode as part of the Vancouver Podcast Festival.  CBC’s Senior Meteorologist and Seismologist Johanna Wagstaffe will be exploring what can still be done to counter the worst-case scenarios facing our region, and what that means for you. The Executive Director of ACT, Deborah Harford has been asked to participate in the discussion along with the following panelists;

  • David Suzuki, environmentalist and host of The Nature of Things
  • Simon Donner, Associate Professor of Climatology at UBC
  • Grace Nosek, creator of Climate Hub group at UBC
  • William Cheung, associate professor at UBC’s Institute for Oceans and Fisheries
  • Stephen Sheppard, landscape architect and director of UBC’s Urban Forestry program

For more information on live recording and to buy tickets see here!

ACT News • Adaptation Stories
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By on November 02nd, 2018

(Nov 27) Advancing Collaborative Climate Adaptation in British Columbia

Join ICLEI Canada for a one-day event combining panel discussions, presentations, and interactive breakouts designed to increase understanding of climate impacts and highlight how local collaboration is advancing action. ACT is a partner with ICLEI Canada on this project and Deborah Harford, the Executive Director of ACT, will be speaking at the event.

This exciting one-day event is designed for participants to;

  • Learn how to manage local climate risks through collaborative climate action and integrative adaptation across all sectors.
  • Consider climate impacts across urban systems and the cascading impacts on natural, social, and built systems.
  • Hear adaptation stories from the field and the many forms of decision-making and climate action.
  • Connect with local experts to identify community climate change risks in small group workshops

If you would like more information or to register please see here.

 

ACT News • Adaptation Stories • Extreme Weather • Sea Level Rise
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By on October 30th, 2018

(Oct 26) Business and Civil Society Leaders Support Action on Carbon Pricing and Clean Competitive Policies

The Smart Prosperity Leaders Initiative issued a statement on October 26th in support of carbon pricing and clean competitiveness policies.  The initiative, which includes 24 prominent leaders from business, environmental, labour, social, youth and indigenous organizations across Canada was launched with the purpose to harness new thinking to accelerate Canada’s transition to a stronger, cleaner economy.

“By starting slowly and ramping up over five years, the policy allows for a gradual adjustment to a lower carbon economy. Moreover, all revenues will stay in the province or territory they came from, offsetting costs while maintaining the incentive to reduce emissions. The policy also includes much-needed measures to address competitiveness, and support communities, sectors and Indigenous Peoples in making the low carbon transition; we look forward to hearing further details of that plan.”

For more information on the Smart Prosperity Leaders’ Initiative and the full statement see here.

Adaptation Community • Energy • New Technologies
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By on October 30th, 2018

(Nov 16) Emergency Management in Indigenous Communities Webinar

Emergency Management in Indigenous Communities: Addressing Mental Health and Cultural Safety in Evacuation Processes is the second webinar in a series of webinars that will take the opportunity to highlight the important work being done through the eyes of project experts.

Speakers: 

Dr. Emily Dicken, the Director of First Nations Coordination with Emergency Management BC

Amber Maclean-Hawes, the Climate Action Emergency Management Officer at Mi’kmaw Conservation Group

Additionally, you will hear from the CCHAP team on present findings and understandings related to the Federal Science Plan – which is a project under the Pan-Canadian Framework (Resilient Regions and Communities), addressing the mental health impacts of extreme weather events in Indigenous communities.

Date: November 16
Time: 1:00pm EST
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

For more information on the webinar and to register see here.

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Extreme Weather • Health Risks
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By on October 26th, 2018

(Oct 25) Canada Joins Global Commission on Adaptation

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte met on October 25th, to formally announce Canada’s participation and support of the new Global Commission on Adaptation.  In attendance were a number of experts in the field of climate change adaptation, including the Executive Director of ACT, Deborah Harford.

The Global Commission is an initiative led by the Netherlands to bring attention to critical climate adaptation gaps. Canada’s contribution of CA$ 7.5 million will support the work of the Commission to encourage bold solutions to build resilience to climate-related threats.

ACT is honoured to have been invited to such an event and we look forward to continued collaboration with and support of the Global Centre on Adaptation and the Global Commission on Adaptation’s goals and objectives.

For more information on the Global Commission on Adaptation see here and for the news release see here.

ACT News • Adaptation Stories
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By on October 25th, 2018

BOMA Canada 2019 Resilience Brief

ACT is excited to share the latest  version of the BOMA Canada Resilience Brief – an important tool to help building owners and managers begin to consider resilience and the potential risks imposed by extreme weather events.

Following the disastrous events of 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires and the 2018 New Brunswick and Toronto floods, industry visionaries, led by BOMA Canada took a bold initiative and published the first Resilience Brief. This valuable publication was widely embraced by the commercial real estate industry across Canada. Today, more than ever, building owners and managers need to be prepared for extreme weather events.

The latest version of the Resilience Brief has been released with the most up to date knowledge of resilience, and we encourage you to review it.

To download a copy of the BOMA Resilience Brief see here.

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Extreme Weather
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By on October 25th, 2018

(Nov 1) To Catch a Falling Sky

A conversation series exploring challenges and solutions for water, energy and food resources is kicking off November 1st with a discussion exploring practical climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for British Columbia. The series is presented by SFU’s Faculty of Environment (which ACT is proudly part of), the Pacific Water Research Centre  and Telus World of Science.

Here’s the info for the first event:

Speakers:

  • Hon. George Heyman, BC Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Strategy
  • Mr. Tim Barton, Senior Transit Planning Engineer, City of Vancouver
  • Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner, Sierra Club BC

When: 1 November – Doors open at 7 pm; event starts at 7:30 pm

Where: Science World at TELUS World of Science

 Free tickets available at EventBrite.

 

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Energy • New Technologies • Water Governance
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By on October 23rd, 2018

(Nov 29) Getting Climate Ready- Adaptation Tools for Northwest Communities

Climate change is exposing communities in Northwest BC to changes in weather patterns and more frequent extreme events. These changes place local and regional critical infrastructure as well as health at risk, which the Northwest region has witnessed in recent flooding and wildfire events. Changing climate hazards have created the need to integrate climate change adaptation into policy, planning, landscape design, and public works maintenance.  The Fraser Basin Council is offering a full day, free introductory workshop with a focus on flood and wildfire risk management in Terrace, BC on November 29th.

Topics and presenters confirmed to date include:

  • In Too Deep: How we can Better Adapt to Floods | Charlene Menezes, Program Manager – Flood Management, Fraser Basin Council
  • True Cost of Wildfires and Why Building Wildfire Resilience is our Best Option | Bob W. Gray, Fire Ecologist, R.W. Gray Consulting Ltd.
  • Funding Opportunities for Adaptation | Andrew Giles, Program Manager – Disaster Mitigation, Emergency Management BC
  • Future Climate in Northwest BC | Trevor Murdock, Climate Scientist and Lead – Regional Climate Impacts, Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
  • Infrastructure and Climate Change | Harshan Radhakrishnan, Practice Advisor, Engineers and Geoscientists BC

Venue location: Best Western Terrace Inn, 4553 Greig Avenue, Terrace, BC

To register click here.

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Extreme Weather • Water Governance
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By on October 23rd, 2018

TWI2050 Report: Transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

The World in 2050 (TWI2050) was established by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) to provide scientific foundations for the 2030 Agenda. It is based on the voluntary and collaborative effort of more than 60 authors from about 20 institutions, and some 100 independent experts from academia, business, government, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations from all the regions of the world, who met three times at IIASA to develop pathways toward achieving the SDGs.

This report examines the current trends and dynamics that promote and jeopardize the achievement of the SDGs. It presents the TWI2050 framework, the integrated pathways which harness the synergies and multiple benefits across SDGs, and approaches to governing this sustainability transformation. TWI2050 identifies six exemplary transformations which will allow achieving the SDGs and long-term sustainability to 2050 and beyond; Digital revolution, Human capacity and demography, Smart cities, Consumption and production, Food, biosphere and water, and Decarbonization and energy.

To read the full report see here.

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Crops & Food Supply • Energy • New Technologies
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By on October 09th, 2018

(Oct 8) 2018 IPCC Global Warming of 1.5°C Report

The IPCC has released the special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. This report is in response to a request by the 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We would like to highlight that Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld of SFU’s Faculty Of Environment is a contributing author of the report.

This report has been identified across the globe as crucial in motivating action to reduce emissions and prepare for the undoubtable challenges and impacts we will face due to climate change. ACT continues to be motivated by reports such as these and we look forward to turning the findings into opportunities for sustainable adaptation. ACT’s recent funding approval by the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia will help move forward our low carbon resilience projects in communities across British Columbia that reflect recommendations in the IPCC report such as;

D3.3. A mix of adaptation and mitigation options to limit global warming to 1.5°C, implemented in a participatory and integrated manner, can enable rapid, systemic transitions in urban and rural areas (high confidence). These are most effective when aligned with economic and sustainable development, and when local and regional governments and decision makers are supported by national governments (medium confidence) {4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.4.1, 4.4.2}

D3.4. Adaptation options that also mitigate emissions can provide synergies and cost savings in most sectors and system transition, such as when land management reduces emissions and disaster risk, or when low carbon buildings are also designed for efficient cooling.

To read the Summary for Policymakers see here.

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Featured
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By on October 05th, 2018

(Oct 4) ACT Receives Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia Fall 2018 Grant

We are proud to announce that ACT has been awarded one of 14 Fall 2018 grants from the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia (REFBC). The REFBC has approved $1.75M in funding to support research, education and policy analysis related to sustainable land use and real estate. Over the next three years, ACT will be using the $750,000 grant to work with communities and local governments across the province to support integrated climate action and sustainability planning that addresses both mitigation (emissions reduction) and adaptation. The project will develop resources designed to integrate action on emissions reduction and adaptation to climate impacts with sustainability planning, policy and resources.

We would like to congratulate all other recipients and thank the REFBC for their support. To see the Fall 2018 list of recipients and learn more about the REFBC and what they have funded see here.

ACT News • Adaptation Stories • Biodiversity • Energy • Extreme Weather • Featured • Sea Level Rise
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By on October 02nd, 2018

(Sept 27) World ‘nowhere near on track’ to avoid warming beyond 1.5C target

In anticipation of next months release of the IPCC Special Report on global warming of 1.5°C we would like to draw your attention to a recent article published in The Guardian, World ‘nowhere near on track’ to avoid warming beyond 1.5C target.

The article highlights the improbable, if not the impossibility of the world limiting global warming to below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We would also like to note the contribution of Simon Fraser University researcher Kirsten Zickfeld who is a contributing author to the IPCC report, along with fellow Canadians, Gregory Flato of Environment and Climate Change Canada and James Ford from the Geography Department at McGill University.

To read the article in The Guardian please see here.

 

 

 

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Energy • Extreme Weather
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By on September 28th, 2018

(Sept 24) New #Stand4Forests Platform Launched

In the wake of Hurricane Florence and wildfires that have swept the United States, on September 24, 2018 over 200 organizations, scientists and elected officials released the #Stand4Forests platform demanding the protection of U.S. forests as a vital climate solution.

For the first half of 2018, over 25 environmental organizations and climate justice leaders in the United States worked together to collaboratively create the Stand4Forests platform. This inspiring group represented people from all over the US, who all offered their diverse perspectives, background, spirit, and wisdom to the conversation. Frontline communities and grassroots organizations, big and small non-profits, universities and institutes came together. Stand4Forests signers who were closely involved with the development of the platform included: Dogwood Alliance, 350.org, Center for a Sustainable Economy, Friends of the Earth, John Muir Project, Sol Nation, Justice Action Mobilization Network, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Mighty Earth, NRDC, Sierra Club, United Plant Savers, the Environmental Paper Network, Heartwood Forest Council, Wild Virginia, American Bird Conservancy, Dr. Bill Moomaw, Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley, Reverend Leo Woodberry, and Dr. Florence Anoruo.

While individual organizations, scientists, and leaders that have endorsed Stand4Forests may differ in regions, priorities, and tactics, Stand4Forests endorses are united by a common goal: We seek a world where we value forests more standing than logged. We stand in solidarity to call for forest protection, climate action, and justice for all.

For more information on the newly launched platform and events see here.

Adaptation Community • Biodiversity • Extreme Weather
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By on September 28th, 2018

(Deadline Extended: Oct 31) Salmon Safe BC Design Competition for Urban Development

The application deadline for The Salmon-Safe BC Design Competition for Urban Development was been extended to October 31. Stormwater run-off is one of the largest non-point sources of pollution in urban areas affecting the health of salmon and our watersheds. Stormwater often contains contaminants such as hydrocarbons and heavy metals derived from vehicle exhaust, brakes and leaked fluids as well as nutrients, pesticides and bacteria from urban and agricultural uses. During rainy days, these contaminants are collected by rainwater, flow over large paved, impervious surfaces and drain into local fresh and marine waterbodies through storm drains and pipes.

The challenge: How can we reimagine our cities and design our urban buildings to adapt to climate change and address water quality, water quantity, and the restoration of aquatic and terrestrial habitat?

For more information on the competition and submissions see here.

 

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Biodiversity • Water Governance
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By on September 28th, 2018

(Oct 25) Antarctic Sea Ice in a Changing World

 

 

 

 

 

Living on the Pacific coast, should we be concerned that climate change is heavily impacting Antarctica and the Southern Ocean? A group of international scientists think so. They also think we need to look to our past to better understand what we might expect in the future. Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Environment is pleased to invite you to a talk and discussion to and out why. We hope to see you there!

Climate change is heavily impacting Antarctica and the Southern Ocean surrounding this icy continent. Parts of the Antarctic ice sheet are melting away raising sea-level by a few millimeters each year. The Southern Ocean is also warming which is a affecting the global ocean circulation and remote climate. This in turn is impacting the regional food web at southern high-latitudes. Surprisingly, Antarctic sea-ice cover has been slightly increasing over the past decades despite very large differences at the regional scale that we have yet to understand.

When: Thursday, October 25

Where: SFU Harbour Centre 515 West Hastings Room #1900

Presenter: Xavier Crosta, Senior Research Scientist Université de Bordeaux, France

Moderator: Amy Leventer, Professor of Geology Colgate University, New York

To RSVP (free) click here.

 

Adaptation Community • Adaptation Stories • Sea Level Rise • Water Governance
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