Planning for Climate Changei

The impacts of climate change across Canada is varied and extensive, including extreme weather events and the long-term implications of more gradual change, like sea level rise, melting permafrost, receding ice caps, and drought. These changes affect all aspects of community life and range from environmental through long-term economic, health and social implications. Communities need to understand these changes but, more importantly, must develop strategies and plans for adaptationi and build these strategies into their day-to-day planning and decision-making processes.

Enhancing the understanding of climate change and incorporating adaptation and mitigationi strategies in Canadian communities requires coordinated action on the part of climate change scientists and professional planners. Planners are one of the key professional groups that have the ability to mainstream climate change adaptation strategies in their communities.

The program for the conference will include a variety of session types and topics within the four sub-themes all of which relate to Climate Change and Communities. The themes are:
    •    Climate Changes and Natural Environments
    •    Climate Changes and Built Environments
    •    Climate Changes and Social Environments
    •    Climate Changes and The Economy

Program elements will include: plenary sessions with exceptional keynote speakers, panel presentations and discussions, concurrent sessions, mobile workshops, and tours.