UPEI to lead training program for climate change and adaptation
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, along with the Honourable Brad Trivers, PEI’s Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change, today announced an innovative climate change adaptation project led by the University of Prince Edward Island.
ClimateSense is collaboration between Natural Resources Canada; the University of Prince Edward Island Climate Research Lab; Prince Edward Island’s Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change; EngineersPEI; the Prince Edward Island Association of Planners; and, the PEI Watershed Alliance.
From a release issued by National Resources Canada:
The ClimateSense project involves creating a professional development and training program to foster collaboration and teach Island professionals and recent graduates to understand the impacts of a changing climate and to integrate climate change adaptation into their daily work. An internship program will also be created, providing recent graduates with development opportunities and building adaptive capacity within organizations across the province. Funded through Natural Resources Canada’s Building Regional Adaptation Capacity and Expertise (BRACE) Program, the project will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, tools and resources on climate change adaptation across various professions, sectors and disciplines, which can be applied to other regions in Canada.
“The UPEI Climate Research Lab is pleased to participate in Natural Resource Canada’s BRACE project, delivering professional development programming and offering resources to expand climate literacy and adaptation knowledge in partnership with the Government of Prince Edward Island,” said Dr. Adam Fenech, director of the UPEI Climate Research Lab. “It is imperative that we all better prepare ourselves to mitigate climate change and respond to the challenges it brings to our communities on PEI.”
“Adapting to climate change does not mean accepting climate change—it means reducing the negative effects of those changes while also seizing new opportunities,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay. “That is why our government is proud to support Prince Edward Island as it strives to make adaptation part of our everyday thinking, to the benefit of communities and the economy.”
“Our infrastructure and communities need protection from coastal erosion and sea level rise,” said the Honourable Brad Trivers. “We must prepare for heavy rainfall events and monitor effects of climate change on our forests, fish and wildlife. These are all challenges that Island professionals are grappling with in their work. ClimateSense programs will develop expertise across many fields. Impacted areas include planning, engineering, finance and watershed management. ClimateSense will prepare professionals to handle whatever changes are on the horizon.”
The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
