VANCOUVER | TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) FIRST NATIONS – Today’s release by the federal government of the National Adaptation Strategy, accompanied by funds to implement it, is a welcome step to building community resiliency and health among increasing climate-fuelled severe weather.

“This announcement comes at a time between two major climate- and nature-focused conferences, COP27 and COP15, and speaks to the need to recognize the dual crises affecting communities: climate disruption and biodiversity loss,” said Julius Lindsay, Director of Sustainable Communities at the David Suzuki Foundation. “Including a focus on adaptation is crucial for communities that are hard hit by wildfires, heat domes, flooding and more to be as ready as possible for what’s next. The funding commitment is important, but we know that this is just a beginning and more will be needed. We’re pleased that the strategy sets clear targets to build community resilience and has measures for implementation.”

The costs of climate impacts are projected to rise to $25 billion by 2025 and to the range of $100 billion annually by 2050, according to the federal government.

The David Suzuki Foundation is reviewing the details of today’s announcement, and the guiding principles seem promising. They include:

  • Respect jurisdictions and uphold Indigenous rights
  • Advance equity and environmental justice
  • Take proactive, risk-based measures to reduce climate impacts before they occur
  • Maximize benefits and avoid maladaptation

Of note also in the strategy are efforts to enshrine adaptation into everyday decision-making regarding climate change risks. This elevates the importance of considering adaptation objectives along with continuing mitigation efforts. More emphasis is needed, however, in protecting natural ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands and wetlands, as part of climate adaptation and halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

The strategy includes $1.6 billion in new federal investments with $530 million toward the Green Municipal Fund for municipalities and a $491 million top-up for the existing Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

“Reducing emissions and mitigating climate change is also an adaptation action,” said Lindsay.

As a member of the Green Budget Coalition, the foundation has called for funding to support implementation of the National Adaptation Strategy.

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For more information or a media interview, please contact:

Theresa Beer, tbeer@davidsuzuki.org; 778-874-3396