Sludge Watch ==> CWRA statement on climate change

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

CWRA statement on climate change

09.jun.06
Canadian Water Resources Association
Rick Ross P. Eng., Executive Director (Acting)


The Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) is Canada’s largest broad 
based non-governmental organization dealing with water and represents 
experts from every field of water management and science.
Many important water related issues were discussed during the CWRA’s 59th 
annual conference held in Toronto. One outcome was a consensus on the need 
to draw attention to climate change as it relates to water and water 
management and how these changes might impact Canada and its people.
CWRA believes that:
There is ample existing scientific evidence that climate change and its 
impacts are a reality in every region of our country.
Although the basic mechanisms of climate change are atmospheric and oceanic 
in origin, the most important impacts in Canada are related to water and the 
hydrological cycle and will affect Canadians everywhere.
Demonstrated impacts of climate change on water in Canada include changes in 
the timing and volume of surface runoff (including extremes such as floods 
and low flows), reduced water storage in glaciers and snowpack, lake level 
declines, changes in ground water availability, mostly adverse effects on 
water quality and modifications of aquatic ecosystems. Each of these impacts 
has far-reaching implications for all Canadians.
While the general trends are known, there is uncertainty associated with 
climate change scenarios for future decades. Current research clearly shows 
that the past and present states of our water systems can no longer be used 
as reliable guides for the future.
The CWRA feels that Canada’s monitoring programs must be enhanced in order 
to identify environmental changes as they evolve.
Governments must provide leadership on beneficial adaptation strategies to 
climate change. The CWRA can provide advice and assistance to the Canadian 
government to develop plans for adapting water management strategies to this 
uncertain future. Across Canada, water managers must take these 
uncertainties into account to ensure that water systems maintain resiliency 
in the future and reduce the vulnerability and negative impacts on Canadian 
society.