Across the country, the impacts of climate change are becoming more severe and more frequent with extreme events like floods, wildfires and heatwaves on the rise. Gradual changes, like thawing permafrost in the north and rising sea levels in coastal regions, are also affecting the safety of our communities and quality of life. Acting now will help improve long-term resilience and reduce costs associated with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Canada, including higher grocery prices, insurance premiums and local taxes to cover the costs of disaster recovery and damage.
To protect our communities from the worst economic and environmental impacts of climate change, we must continue to prepare for the changes that are coming by investing in community resilience. This will not only support the safety of Canadians but also reinforce the ability of communities to recover from extreme weather events.
On January 17, Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced over $8.8 million in funding for nine projects in Atlantic Canada under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP) and Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program.
“The impacts associated with climate change including intense wildfires, devastating floods, stronger tropical storms and hurricanes, and permafrost thaw in the north are being felt environmentally and economically in every single region of Canada,” said Wilkinson. “That is why this federal government is acting now to help our communities and our economy prepare for and protect against the threat of climate change. Today’s announcement of nine projects in Atlantic Canada supports vital, community-based work to keep people safe now and into the future.”
These projects will aim to support regions and sectors in Atlantic Canada in adapting to a changing climate. The projects will focus on developing and improving strategies, tools and resources; strengthening the knowledge and skills of practitioners; and implementing innovative adaptation actions to address climate change risks and adaptation gaps.
The funding announced on January 17 comes from a total investment of $39.5 million, announced on November 14, 2024, through the CCAP and the CRCC Program to reduce climate change risks and build more-resilient communities across the country in support of the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS).
“The effects of climate change are being felt across the Atlantic region and in communities across Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Joanne Thompson, Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for St. John’s East. “The federal government knows that we need to act now to find ways to lessen the impact of climate emergencies so Canadians don’t have to face the costs of devastating consequences. The projects announced today will make sure we are prepared with the skills and the data analysis needed to weather the storm.”
Featured image credit: Getty Images
