Province Collaborates on Climate Change Adaptation

Nova Scotia has joined with the other Atlantic provinces and the federal government to help the region adapt to climate change.

Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau was with his Atlantic colleagues and representatives from Natural Resources Canada, today, April 23, in Bayfield, New Brunswick, to announce Nova Scotia's participation in the Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions project.

The project will examine coastal and inland hazards, and seek solutions for issues related to climate change in the Atlantic region.

The initiative will be worth $2.3 million to Nova Scotia over three years. The province will invest $600,000 and $850,000 through in-kind contributions. The federal government will invest an additional $850,000.

"We are already experiencing serious impacts during extreme weather events in this province," said Mr. Belliveau. "This investment will provide much needed guidance to allow us to adapt to a changing climate."

Nova Scotia's involvement in the project will advance the province's Climate Change Action Plan, and help protect rural economic stability, infrastructure, private property and the safety of Nova Scotians.

Universities, industries, Halifax Regional Municipality and municipalities along the Bay of Fundy and in Lunenburg County, Yarmouth County, and northwestern Nova Scotia, are also involved in the project.

"Climate change is a concern for us considering the impact rising sea levels could have on the dykes and infrastructure like the Trans-Canada highway and our new wastewater treatment plant," said Rob Small, Mayor of Amherst. "This project will give municipalities like ours the tools to assess what is at risk, and ways to reduce the risks."

"Climate change poses a variety of threats for Cumberland County through sea level rise and already serious erosion problems at communities along the Northumberland Strait and the Bay of Fundy," said Keith Hunter, Warden of Cumberland County "By partnering in this project, our municipality will incorporate climate change adaptation into our decision-making."

The Council of Atlantic Environment Ministers has identified climate change and climate change adaptation as key environmental issues for Atlantic Canada.

In 2008, the federal government introduced a program called Regional Adaptation Collaboratives to fund projects that address common adaptation issues and to share experiences and information on climate change adaptation.

For more information about Nova Scotia's Climate Change Action Plan visit www.climatechange.gov.ns.ca.