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Moderator: Neil MacEachern

Presenters: Jimena Eyzaguirre, Natalie Moudrak, Fiona Warren and Marie-Caroline Badjeck

To prepare for changing climate conditions and related risks, firms and countries around the world will have to enhance their climate resilience through adaptation. Countries that invest in building climate resilience and enabling growth in adaptation markets domestically could be at an advantage as a global supplier of adaptation and climate resilience goods and services (ACRGS).

The session will open with a short set of panel presenters to share insights on the rising and projected costs of extreme weather events and climate change impacts, in Canada and globally, and on the costs and benefits of investing in adaptation. As finance is often a barrier to action, the panel will also touch on innovative financial instruments to pay for adaptation. A final presenter will examine the opportunities for Canadian firms to supply ACRGS to international markets, based on scoping research focused on forestry and forest products, coastal infrastructure, ocean technologies and water and wastewater. To conclude, an interactive panel discussion will explore challenges and opportunities in the emerging adaptation economy.

Moderator: Pamela Kertland

Presenters: Graham Watt, Dr. Kate Sherren, Frank Frigo and John Sommerville

Climate change adaptation has traditionally focused on “holding the line” approaches and the use of structural protective measures to protect communities from the impacts of flooding or coastal erosion. Managed retreat, which refers to any strategic decision to withdraw, relocate or abandon private or public property can be a cost-effective, viable long-term solution, but comes with a unique set of legal, economic, social and psychological challenges.

A panel of three speakers, moderated by Natural Resources Canada, will share their perspectives and experiences on retreat, followed by a discussion with all session participants about enablers, barriers and pathways to an equitable approach to retreat. The goal of the session will be to draw out which practices work and elements to consider when trying to address this challenging question.

Presenters: Benjamin Filewod (moderator), Christian Messier and Dave Andison

Climate change impacts a Canadian forest products sector that is changing endogenously due to accumulation and depletion of specific forms of capital and technological progress. Resulting impacts on Canadian competitiveness are relative to the state of other players in global forest products markets, whose situations – notably supply-side exposure to projected warming- are very different. In turn, the economic consequences of Canada’s competitive position will shape the selection and success of sectoral adaptation strategies.

This talk will describe the trajectory and current status of Canada’s evolving forest products sector, including new research on total-value-chain measures of competitiveness in the global economy and the role of forest quality (age/size, location) in competitiveness, and summarize the supply-side vulnerability of Canada and her competitors in global forest products markets. This economic analysis will be linked to strategic options for forest sector adaptation, setting the stage for a detailed exposition of emerging forest management models by Prof. Messier and Dr. Andison.

Presenters: Robin Cox (moderator), Kyla Milne, David Lapp and Mary-Ann Wilson

Adaptation professionals act as change agents, guiding adaptation initiatives that are transdisciplinary and collaborative; that advance Canada’s social, economic and environmental goals and reconciliation agenda; and that enhance the climate resilience of our communities.

This workshop provides one opportunity to contribute to that agenda through the development of a shared understanding of what competencies are required to lead in this field. Following a brief introduction to the idea of competencies, competency frameworks, and the competency curve, participants will engage in a range of immersive, structured group activities designed to catalyze critical, reflexive and creative conversations about the knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgements required by professionals. This interactive workshop will contribute to a nationally informed, openly available climate change adaptation framework that can inform future adaptation training and education, guide hiring and recruitment of adaptation professionals and enhance the effectiveness of those already working in this field.

Presenters: Kari Tyler (moderator), Trevor Murdock, Erica Crawford, Denni Clement, Megan Lohmann and Maya Chorobik

Some of the most common challenges for organizations moving adaptation from an assessment to action are: getting buy-in from diverse subject matter experts, building up a network of supportive peers and winning over the much hoped-for champions in leadership roles. Overcoming these institutional barriers to change and successfully engaging people are essential skills for adaptation practitioners. Data and information rarely change people’s perspectives but authentic connections, supported by good information and resources, can have a big impact.

To engage meaningfully with others, adaptation professionals have to meet them where they are at and work to understand their perspectives and concerns.  This session will build those skills through a series of participatory exercises and small group work. The workshop will include story-telling and activities to demonstrate and experience the practical communications tools that will give professionals the skills to engage in change-making conversations.

Presenter: George Benson (moderator) and Nicole Bates-Eamer

According to recent studies, as many as 340 million people globally may be threatened with displacement due to climate change before 2050. Many of these people displaced will be among Canada's and the world’s most vulnerable populations, and because of Canada’s wealth and relative safety from the most dangerous impacts, we may be called upon to help many of them.

This interactive workshop is focused on building Canadian capacity to help those who are being or will be displaced. It will cover three key topic areas and intended outputs: 1) providing an overview of the current state of climate displacement research and data, 2) taking stock of the current state of displacement work amongst Canadian adaptation professionals, and 3) identifying ways for people interested in or working on climate displacement to connect together and build our shared capacity.

Moderator: Halina Rachelson

Ka pimthatek pakthehnamoowin / A Journey of Hope in St. Theresa Point First Nation

Presenters: Lewis Archer and Tyrone Munroe

Climate change is directly impacting St. Theresa Point First Nation and other communities across the north, which are experiencing more frequent and extreme events that pose a risk to the communities’ safety and security. St. Theresa Point is most concerned with the compounding damage to mental health that can result from an extreme climate event and its consequential aftermath. In 2017 St. Theresa Point  was evacuated to Winnipeg following severe wildfires. Research has demonstrated a link between acute natural disasters and extreme psychological reactions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using a disaster-tested, evidence-based program, St. Theresa Point is helping children, teenagers and their caregivers strengthen their coping skills and reestablish a sense of security and trust in response to climate extremes and disasters. In other disaster settings, the program has been shown to help minimize feelings of fear, anger and sadness and to reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Navigating Mental Health Care in a Changing Climate

Presenter: Katie Hayes

In 2013, High River, Alberta experienced a super flood that displaced the entire community. The mental health implications of this event reverberate  five years later. This presentation explores the availability and accessibility of mental health care (both public sector and community-based) before, during and after the flood. It explores how High Riverites, particularly those most marginalized, navigated mental health care before, during, and after the flood until the present day.

Original research findings from an empirical study of the psychosocial consequences of climate change and community-based mental health responses in High River will be presented by the lead researcher of this study. Participants will learn key takeaways, such as the role that mental health and climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessments can play in supporting mental health following climate change-related extreme weather.

Moderator: Kelsey Taylor

Presenter: Abhayjeet Singh Sachal

This session will discuss the importance of environmental empathy from a youth perspective. Abhayjeet Singh Sachal will speak about travelling to the Canadian Arctic and founding Break The Divide Foundation at the age of 14. The focus of the presentation will be on youth engagement in environmental issues, the importance of nuance in discussions on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the necessity to unite to take climate action. Abhayjeet will discuss Break The Divide’s emphasis on dialogue among youth around the world and the necessity of real conversations in a time of polarization and apathy.

This presentation will provide attendees with tangible resources and understandings to engage in dialogue about the climate crisis with youth and create a sense of commonality to address associated environmental issues. This presentation will include group activities, discussion and a Q & A period.