Adapting to Climate Change

What is Adaptation to Climate Change?

Climate change poses a number of challenges for Canada's Aboriginal and northern communities. Adaptation allows us to respond to and prepare for change. Climate change adaptation refers to any activity that reduces the negative impacts of climate change and/or positions us to take advantage of new opportunities that may be presented.

The goals of adaptation may include 1) alleviating current impacts; 2) reducing sensitivity and exposure to climate-related hazards; and 3) increasing resiliency to climatic and non-climatic stressors. Successful adaptation does not mean that negative impacts will not occur, only that they will be less severe than would be experienced had no adaptation occurred.

Our ability to make adjustments to adapt to the impacts of climate change is called adaptive capacity. Some communities demonstrate incredible resilience through their ability to absorb disruptions caused by climate change, and to make adjustments while still retaining their functionality, structure and identity. Our response to climate change is affected by our vulnerability, or in other words our ability to cope with negative impacts.

Some examples of issues to be addressed in reference to adaptation to climate change in the North:

• Melting of permafrost
• Water management
• Food security
• Emergency preparedness
• Infrastructure degradation

What are the Different Types of Adaptation?

There are many types of adaptation that can be defined based on the intent, the timing (relative to climate impact), the temporal scope or the spatial scope (see table below).

Adaptation can also be either proactive or reactive. Proactive adaptation involves long term decision making which improves our ability to cope with future climate change. Periodic assessment and risk management strategies help make this response the most effective.   Proactive adaptation is more likely to reduce the long term damage, risk and vulnerability due to climate change.

On the other hand, reactive adaptation occurs in response to the impact of a climate event. It most commonly takes place after a natural disaster. In most cases, anticipatory adaptation is the most cost-effective and efficient plan of action.

Adaptation
Based on	Type of adaptation
Intent	Spontaneous		Planned
Timing (relative to climate impact)	Reactive	Concurrent		Anticipatory
Temporal scope	Short term		Long term
Spatial scope	Localized		Widespread

(Source: Modified from Smit et al., 1999)

Planned adaptation can support either proactive or reactive adaptations. Successful adaptation measures enable communities to plan for and respond effectively to the challenges of climate-related events. They may also present other benefits, for example, water conservation measures will also lower energy costs related to treatment.

How is Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) helping in adapting to Climate Change?

AANDC's Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP) is currently supporting Aboriginal and northern communities, organizations and territories in addressing urgent risks in the North. The program is focused on working with organizations, institutions and communities that can take the lead in assessing and developing management strategies to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate; undertake risk assessments of existing infrastructure; engage in water quality improvement and management projects; and identify appropriate infrastructure designs to reduce risks due to a changing climate and its impact.

The CCAP is AANDC’s principal mean of action for climate change adaptation and is the predominant responsibility of the Department’s Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (CCIA) group. However, AANDC’s climate change efforts go further. The CCIA group ensures its participation in interdepartmental climate change initiatives, in partnerships with scientists and non-governmental organizations (Aboriginal and non Aboriginal), and in international climate change discussions. Additionally, the work and information network performed and established over time by AANDC, through its CCIA group, allows the Department to better serve the climate change needs of Canada’s Aboriginal and northern communities.

AANDC also encourages the participation of communities in the CCAP project it supports, when appropriate. Community involvement is important for successful climate change planning. Through the initiative of community leaders, Aboriginal and northern communities can plan and adapt to climate change to promote healthy and thriving lives.

More information on the CCAP and how to apply at What is the Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP)?.