ERCC Program workshop focused on Canada's North

A workshop for the ERCC Program was held in Ottawa November 13-14, 2008. The purpose of the workshop was to present research results to date and stimulate dialogue between the producers and users of climate change information and knowledge. Attendance exceeded 100 people and included representatives from NRCan (Earth Science Sector, Energy Sector, and Science and Policy Integration), the Canadian Institute of Planners, Indian and Northern Affaires, northern communities’ representatives, and other stakeholders. Topics included changes in glaciers, permafrost, tundra ecosystems, and sea ice coverage in the Northwest Passage. There was also a special session on our collaborative project in Nunavut.

AGENDA

Thursday November 13, 2008: FOCUS ON THE NORTH

The Canadian Arctic: Response to Climate Change (09h00 – 12h00) 

Welcoming Remarks

Daniel Lebel, Director Geological Survey of Canada, Northern Canada Division

Phil Hill, Program Manager, Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate Program

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Environmental History and Archaeology along the Northwest Passage.

Art Dyke, Geological Survey of Canada

Detecting Recent Change Using Satellites.

Alexander Trichtchenko, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

Detecting and Mapping Changes in Canada’s Arctic Tundra Ecosystems

Wenjun Chen, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

Spatial and Temporal Trends of Climate and Airborne Contaminants in the Arctic Region from Snow and Ice Cores

James Zheng, Geological Survey of Canada

How Permafrost is Changing in the North

Sharon Smith, Geological Survey of Canada

How Glaciers are Changing in the North

Dave Burgess, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

Discussion

The Nunavut Initiative (13h30 – 16h30)

Introduction and Overview

David Mate, Geological Survey of Canada

GN led communities initiative and collaboration with ERCC

Lee Ann Pugh, Government of Nunavut (absent due to weather conditions)

INAC Communities Program and Collaboration with ERCC

Michael Westlake, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

The CIP-led Climate Change Initiative and Collaboration with NRCan

Marni Cappe, Vice-President, Canadian Institute of Planners

Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre

Jake Gearheard, Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre, Clyde River, Nunavut

The Impact of Local Geology on Terrain Stability in a Changing Climate

Rod Smith, Geological Survey of Canada, Melanie Irvine and Trevor Bell, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Expansion of Nunavut Permafrost Monitoring Network

Mark Ednie and Sharon Smith, Geological Survey of Canada

Using Remote Sensing to Better Understand the Vulnerability of Nunavut Drinking Water Supplies to Climate Change

Paul Budkewitsch, Christian Prevost and Goran Pavlic, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

Impacts of Sea-level Rise and Coastal Erosion on Nunavut Communities

Don Forbes and Gavin Manson, Geological Survey of Canada

Discussion

Friday, November 13, 2008: FOCUS ON INFORMATION DELIVERY

09h00 – 11h25 Oral Presentations

Welcoming Remarks

Genevieve Béchard, Acting Director General, Programs and Operations Branch, Earth Sciences Sector

Introduction

Phil Hill, Program Manager, Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate Program

Climate Data Records: Detecting Changes in the Landscape Using Remote Sensing

Alex Trichtchenko:   

Modeling Ecosystem Change: the EALCO Model

Shusen Wang

Agricultural Crop Characterization and Change Detection

Aining Zhang

Paleoclimate Records

Scott St. George and Christian Bégin

Sea Level Records and Projections for Communities

Stephane Mazzotti & Don Forbes

Poster viewing

13h30 Discussion on User Needs and Information Delivery

  • Report back from CIP representatives
  • Comments from other stakeholders and attendees

15h00 Discussion on Data Management and Dissemination