2012
Department of Environment and Conservation
Nicole Rowsell, John Drover, Kimberly Bittermann, and Tammy Keats
With the knowledge that climate change is a global issue that must be addressed at the local level, the Climate Change Adaptation Team has changed the way municipalities in this province view climate change.
This team partnered with municipal associations to develop and implement the first ever set of tools designed to train and educate municipal staff on the complexities and challenges of climate change impacts and adaptations. The team formed successful partnerships with Memorial University, Labrador Institute, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, the Professional Municipal Administrators, and collaborated with communities on various related pilot projects. Results of this work led to the development of a vulnerability assessment tool for communities, downscaled climate projections for the year 2100, flood risk mapping that incorporated climate change projections, a coastal erosion study, a series of community case studies, and an updated flood events inventory for the province.
The work completed by the Adaptation Team has directly led to significant outcomes for the province, including the development of the municipal assessment tool, 7 Steps to Assess Climate Change Vulnerability in Your Community. This document has been adapted for use by municipalities throughout Atlantic Canada, highlighted at national sector events, and the team has been invited to share their work with international audiences. As part of this initiative, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and the Professional Municipal Administrators produced a sustainable infrastructure training workbook for municipal staff, and have begun a series of training workshops for groups across the province.
Colleagues credit the team with initiating the important discussion on climate change adaptation at a municipal level, where even just a few years ago such an issue was not on the radar for many communities or local authorities. Their work is a significant achievement and has provided municipal administrations throughout the province, and perhaps the world, with a clearer focus on climate change adaptability.
The team is currently building on their success by continuing work with partners to define future projects.