| Climate Change and Mississippi Valley Conservation |
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The following definition comes from Environment Canada
Climate Change is the change in climate over a time period that ranges from decades to centuries. The term refers to both natural and human-induced changes. The term “climate variability” refers to shorter term (years to decades) fluctuations in climate such as those caused by El Niño/Southern Oscillation.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change defines climate change as: “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods”. In other words, the FCCC uses the term Climate Change to mean only those changes that are brought about by human activities. Our lives are built around the fact that although there is some variability and change from season to season and year to year, weather usually repeats in predictable patterns. As we learn more about climate change it becomes apparent that it will affect every sector of the economy because those predictable patterns are changing at a faster rate. This underlines the importance of understanding the local implications and impacts of climate change and developing local adaptive solutions. Upcoming Events Climate Change Information Workshop, Feb 2, 2012 Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) and the Community Stewardship Council of Lanark County with Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR) are bringing together decision makers from across the Mississippi Valley watershed to discuss how different agencies are addressing the potential impacts of climate change on their programs. Adapting to the effects of a changing climate touches many areas from tourism to health, to roads and planning. MVC will share its strategy for watershed management in a changing climate. Participants are encouraged to share their programs, knowledge, and ideas to help support local and watershed-wide efforts to adapt to our changing climate. Focus of the day is to share information on climate change work and resources available for the watershed, with MVC’s focus being on the review of the Mississippi River Water Management Plan which will include information on climate change impacts and adaptation options Meeting will consist of presentations in the morning, lunch break, then round table discussions of what individual organizations are currently doing, what their interest and needs are, and discussion on observed and potential impacts Target audience to be invited will be mixed;
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