ACT. Biodiversity and Climate Change The Adaptation Imperative. Adaptation to Climate Change Team. Presentation to Adaptation Canada 2016

Transcription

1 ACT Adaptation to Climate Change Team Presentation to Adaptation Canada 2016 Biodiversity and Climate Change The Adaptation Imperative April 14, 2016 Deborah Harford, Executive Director, ACT

2 A Commitment to Climate Change The world is committed to significant changes in climate regardless of future emissions of greenhouse gases. The Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC makes it clear that temperature changes up to approximately 2050 are relatively similar regardless of emissions scenarios, or representative concentration pathways. While mitigation is important to avoid catastrophic changes in climate, this commitment means that adaptation is necessary.

3 Projected Impacts: Heat

4 Observed Changes Major projected Canadian impacts include flooding (coastal, river, and rain-based); heat, drought; melting glaciers and permafrost; shifts in ecosystems and species. These trends are evident across Canada and are already having measurable effects.

5 Sea Level Rise Recent data that has been collected but has yet to be made official indicates sea levels could rise by roughly 3 meters or 9 feet by , far higher and quicker than current projections. Until now most projections have warned of sea level rise of up to 4 feet by ~ Margaret Davidson, NOAA s senior advisor for coastal inundation and resilience science and services, speaking to the RIMS 2016 conference in San Diego, April 12, 2016

6 Anthropogenic Footprint on Habitat

7 Current Impacts and Responses The Sixth Mass Extinction Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish disappearing 114 times faster than normal. The benefits of biodiversity like crop pollination and water purification could disappear in as little as three lifetimes. Our species itself would likely disappear early on." Paul Ehrlich and Gerardo Ceballos, 2015

8 Anthropogenic Footprint: Habitat Global Forest Watch Canada Climate change and habitat loss are shifting ecosystems and species. Connectivity needed plus conservation.

9 Emissions Include Land Use (Pre-1850 emissions were mostly from land use)

10 Current Impacts and Responses Soil Carbon Total carbon in terrestrial ecosystems is approx 3170 gigatons; nearly 80% of that is in soil. (Lal 2008) Approx 2/3 of current increase in atmospheric CO2 due to fossil fuels, remainder from soil carbon loss due to land use change e.g. deforestation. (Lal 2004)

11 Current Impacts and Responses Ecosystem Benefits The Mackenzie River Basin s biological, hydrological and climatological properties affect the welfare of people throughout the western hemisphere and, to some extent, globally [through climate, water and temperature regulation]. Rosenberg Forum 2012

12 The Role of Ecosystems in Adaptation Healthy ecosystems are a key component of climate change adaptation ( critical infrastructure ): Absorb, store or release carbon (enormous amounts) Clean the air Buffer against floods Absorb and recycle fresh water Create shade for cooling Home for species shifting ranges Food security PLUS increase property values/quality of life

13 Current Impacts and Responses Ecosystem-based Adaptation Coastal wetlands make communities more resilient. (NOAA) "Where possible, an agency shall use natural systems, ecosystem processes, and nature-based approaches when developing alternatives for consideration. (US Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, 2015)

14 Value of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) Copenhagen won 2013 Index Sustainable Design Award for BGI-based adaptation plan: cost:benefits ratio clear

15 Current Impacts and Responses Canadian Blue-Green Infrastructure Examples Winnipeg Red River Greenway Plan Corktown Common, Toronto Jericho Beach, Vancouver Terwillegar Rec Centre, Edmonton

16 Current Impacts and Responses Valuing Ecosystems David Suzuki Foundation Nearshore Natural Capital Valuation report: Wetlands and coastal areas = $30-$60 billion in benefits every year. Natural carbon sink Natural protection against storms worsened by climate change/slr. Habitat for declining salmon stocks. Natural Capital in B.C.'s Lower Mainland: Forests, fields, wetlands, waterways = $5.4 billion a year.

17 Value of a Tree? A single tree provides $73 worth of air conditioning, $75 worth of erosion control, $75 worth of wildlife shelter, and $50 worth of air pollution reduction. Compounding this total of $273 for fifty years at 5% interest results in a tree value of $57,151. (American Forestry Association, 1992) 24 additional social and environmental benefits : environmental, economic and social. Green spaces deliver social and health benefits of up to 1.44 billion per year for the UK economy. (ARUP, 2014)

18 Current Impacts and Responses The Value of Valuing Ecosystems When decision makers undervalue the benefits we derive from nature, they underestimate the full costs to society of converting natural resources to uses that destroy or degrade natural capital. Recognition of the benefits of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) by policy makers is therefore an important step in formulating effective natural resources and planning policy designed to benefit all other aspects of society and nature. (ACT, 2015)

19 Current Impacts and Responses It All Adds Up To Low Carbon Resilience Investing in ecosystem health inside and outside cities and in rural and wilderness areas contributes to: Water and food security Health benefits (mental and physical) Improved property values PLUS: Flood and sea level rise resilience Lower capital, operational, maintenance costs up to 75% Lower burden on grey infrastructure

20 Current Impacts and Responses PLUS Biodiversity Resilience Acknowledge and protect Canada s irreplaceable national natural heritage an Ark for species retreating from climate change and habitat loss: Identify and protect areas that will experience minimal climate disruption as refugia for wildlife Study/plan for those most affected Allow for ecosystem shifts Build in connectivity eg Y2Y Improve monitoring and measurement Wildlife Conservation Society, 2016

21 Current Impacts and Responses Valuing Wilderness and Wild Things? The Peace of Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. Wendell Berry

22 ACT Adaptation to Climate Change Team For more information about ACT, our policy reports, and adaptation resources, please go to: ACT thanks past and present partners: Wilburforce Foundation, Bullitt Foundation, Zurich Canada, BC Ministry of Environment, AMEC Engineering, BC Hydro, Plutonic Power, NRCan, ICLEI Canada, Real Estate Foundation of BC.