Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping (Clear Seas) requires consulting services for an analysis of the future needs of the Canadian maritime environment with respect to climate change adaptation. Clear Seas has identified climate change vulnerability as issue affecting marine shipping in Canada.
Climate change poses challenges for ocean and inland waterway users including sea level rise, severe weather, and changeable conditions. Threats to the marine environment due to climate change will in turn impact the safety and sustainability of marine shipping. Existing shipping routes may no longer be as safe or easy to travel, affecting the safe and efficient movement of maritime trade to support Canada’s economic growth. Increasingly severe weather and for extended periods may pose greater risks to ships, increasing the likelihood of accidents and affecting the safety of mariners on board. With greater challenges and potential for accidents comes elevated risk of damage to marine and coastal ecosystems from oil spills. Changing conditions will impact maritime operations, including when and how users access waterways and their needs in doing so. The ability to maintain safe and affective maritime services has implications for Canada’s sovereignty and security, especially in the Arctic where climate change impacts are expected to be the most profound.
As the government agency charged with delivering on these maritime services, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is supported in delivering this mission by other government departments, industry and NGOs. Adapting to climate change in the Canadian maritime environment not only includes making marine operations robust to these anticipated changes, but also anticipating and planning for the impact climate change will have on other users of Canada’s waterways and their needs. The CCG and others must respond to continue to ensure safe, accessible and sustainable waterways for Canadians. This project is to determine the extent and magnitude of these threats to support decision making by CCG and others involved in delivering the above. A thorough assessment of the threats presented along with potential adaptation strategies is required to support proactive planning by the CCG and others.
