ClimateWest Forum: The benefits of early adaptation action

About

This free, hybrid event brought together ClimateWest’s past, current, and expanding network across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba from a wide range of sectors, communities, and perspectives. Presentations focused on the benefits of taking action early to address climate impacts.

Date: May 3-4, 2023

Location: This hybrid event took place at the Inn at the Forks, Winnipeg, Manitoba and online.

Cost: Free  (admission to the Forum, meals and refreshments).

ClimateWest Forum Goals:

The ClimateWest Forum provided an opportunity for attendees to:

• Learn about the current state of knowledge around climate sciences, adaptation, climate data, and information.
• Discover how people and communities throughout the region are planning for climate change.
• Gain a better understanding of the projected costs of climate change to the region and beyond, as well as the benefits of proactive adaptation.
• Hear the experiences of those throughout the region that are actively working to understand their climate risks, limit their vulnerabilities to climate change, and prepare for our changing future.
• Network, share, and learn from adaptation actors from across the Prairies.

Key Takeaways

Over two days, we heard from 16 incredible speakers who shared a wealth of knowledge. We’ve put together this report to highlight our top 5 takeaways from the forum.

Presentations

We are pleased to share the presentations from the forum below:

• Projected Changes in the Climate in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba – Danny Blair, Prairie Climate Centre
• Indigenous and Western Ways of Knowing: The Art of Translating and Weaving – Brett Huson, Prairie Climate Centre
• The Costs of Climate Change in Canada – Chris Rol, Insurance Bureau of Canada
• Damage Control: Projecting the Future Costs of Climate Change in Canada – Ryan Ness, Canadian Climate Institute
• Costs of Climate Change on the Prairies – Richard Boyd, All One Sky Foundation
• Communicating the Costs of Climate Change – Amber Bennett, Re.Climate
• Exploring the National Adaptation Strategy & Considerations for the Prairies – Laniel Bateman, Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Cripping Climate Adaptation: Disability Justice and Climate Change – Karina Cardona Claros, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
• Supporting Indigenous Leadership on Adaptation through Federal Programs – Marlene Doyle, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
• Black River First Nation: A decade of climate change monitoring – Jack Johnson and Bob Austman
• Making the Case for Nature-Based Solutions as a Cost-Effective Adaptation Measure – Joanna Eyquem, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
• Agriculture & Nature-Based Solutions – Paige Englot, ALUS
• Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions – Dimple Roy, International Institute for Sustainable Development

Download the full agenda here for a list of speakers and topics that were explored at the forum.

Recordings

We are pleased to share the recordings from each forum session below:

Day 1 – May 3, 2023

• An Overview of ClimateWest – Elaine Fox, Board Chair
• An Overview of the Canadian Centre for Climate Services – Heather Morrison, Executive Director
• Projected Changes in the Climate in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba – Danny Blair, Prairie Climate Centre
• Indigenous and Western Ways of Knowing: The Art of Translating and Weaving – Brett Huson, Prairie Climate Centre
• The Costs of Climate Change in Canada – Chris Rol, Insurance Bureau of Canada
• How Do We Use Costs of Climate Change Impacts to Spur Action?
  • Ryan Ness, Canadian Climate Institute
  • Richard Boyd, All One Sky Foundation
  • Amber Bennett, Re.Climate
• Exploring the National Adaptation Strategy & Considerations for the Prairies – Laniel Bateman, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Day 2 – May 4, 2023

• Ensuring that Investments in Adaptation are Equitable:
  • Karina Cardona Claros, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
  • Marlene Doyle, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
  • Jack Johnson and Bob Austman
• Making the Case for Nature-Based Solutions
  • Joanna Eyquem, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
  • Paige Englot, ALUS
  • Dimple Roy, International Institute for Sustainable Development

Sponsors

We gratefully acknowledge our event sponsors for helping us achieve our forum goals. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for future forums,  please email info@climatewest.ca.