Canada in a Changing Climate is the national assessment of how and why Canada’s climate is changing; the impacts of these changes on our communities, health, environment, and economy; and how we are adapting. The assessment process depends on the collaboration of a broad partnership of subject-matter experts and assessment users from all orders of government, Indigenous organizations, universities, professional and non-governmental groups, and the private sector.
What’s new?
- Environment and Climate Change Canada is updating Canada’s Changing Climate Report
We’re excited to announce that Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is updating Canada’s Changing Climate Report (CCCR), building on the success of the 2019 edition. Launched in spring 2023, this national scientific assessment will assess how Canada’s climate has evolved, the underlying causes of these changes, and future climate projections. Led by ECCC’s Climate Research Division, the update is a collaborative effort involving Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, academic experts, and Indigenous Knowledge holders.
The updated report will provide a comprehensive update of changes in temperature, precipitation, snow, ice, permafrost, freshwater availability and in oceans surrounding Canada. A focused chapter on changes in extremes will be included this time. The updated CCCR aims to provide comprehensive insights into changes in the physical climate system that have wide-ranging implications for both natural and human systems in Canada.
If you’re interested in being a reviewer, you can self-nominate to participate in the external review of the report here: https://ca.research.net/r/DV7FNV5. Self-nomination is open until December 20th, 2025 and the review period will take place from January 13th until February 14th, 2025.
- Canada in a Changing Climate Art Contest Coming in Spring 2024
Calling Youth Artists
The Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process is seeking youth grades 7-12 to create visual art about climate change. It’s also an opportunity for open classroom discussion around reflection on questions such as: How have you experienced climate change in the world around you – the places you love, the things you love doing, or the way that you live? How do you think these experiences will change in the future with additional climate warming? What makes you hopeful? What inspires you to take action against climate change?
Artists are asked to tell a visual story about their perspectives on climate change. This call for art aims to celebrate youth perspectives and creativity in response to a changing climate and inspire classroom conversations.
Artistic exploration of climate change related themes can include the following:
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- Subtheme 1: The climate we live in, now and in the future
Our climate and landscapes make the places we live unique. This theme explores how climate change is affecting our physical world. This includes changes to things like temperature, rain and snowfall, snow and ice cover, sea level, droughts, floods and wildfires.
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- Subtheme 2: The way we live, now and in the future
This theme explores how climate change is impacting our communities, health, environment and economy; and how we are adapting to prepare for the future.
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- Subtheme 3: Our health, now and in the future
This theme explores how climate change affects the health and well-being of Canadians and our health systems, from extreme heat and wildfires to air and water quality. Consider impacts on mental health, infectious diseases, and food safety, with unique challenges for youth and Indigenous communities.
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- Subtheme 4: Pathways to a just and equitable future
The impacts of climate change are not felt evenly across Canada. This theme explores climate justice, placing equity and human rights at the heart of action on climate change.
Some of the art submissions will be showcased on changingclimate.ca or in the next Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process report series on how and why Canada’s climate is changing; the impacts of these changes on our communities, environment, health and economy; and how we are adapting. Winning submissions may also be showcased in an online and/or in-person exhibit. Assessments serve many purposes, including raising awareness about climate change among Canadians of all ages. This art contest is intended to elevate youth perspectives and art within Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process.
Young leaders play a critical role in climate change, and we have much to learn from youth perspectives. Your unique point of view is important, and your artistic expression will help Canadians across the country connect to the messages about climate change in our reports.
Eligibility
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- The contest is open to youth attending schools in Canada, grades 7-12.
- The contest will also include a separate Indigenous stream for the same grades.
- Group submissions are welcome. This means a single artwork that is created by more than one person.
Stay tuned for submission details to come in early Spring 2024.
- The National Assessment Secretariat is analyzing the results from their scoping process to plan the new reports on impacts and adaptation
Between July 2023 and June 2024, we hosted 9 in-person and virtual scoping workshops to ensure a wide range of participants had the opportunity to weigh in on themes and new approaches for the next Assessment cycle. This included workshops with youth, First Nations, Inuit and Métis from across the country. We are currently in the process of analyzing all input we have received in the scoping phase to develop a plan for reports, chapters and a timeline.
We also launched a call for Expressions of Interest for our future Advisory Committee to provide advice and guidance throughout the next Canada in a Changing Climate: National Assessment Process. The Advisory Committee will play a crucial role in shaping and guiding the assessment process.
- A new Health Assessment will be launched soon.
Stay tuned for our next update!
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The Past Assessment Cycle
Between 2019 and 2024, a series of authoritative, user-friendly, online reports were released. The first, Canada’s Changing Climate Report (2019), assessed how and why Canada’s climate is changing and what changes are projected for the future. Subsequent reports focused on impacts, adaptation, and resilience, These included: Canada in a Changing Climate: National Issues Report (2021), Canada in a Changing Climate: Regional Perspectives Report (2020-2022), and the Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate (2022), the Synthesis Report (2023), and the Indigenous-led For Our Future: Indigenous Resilience Report (2024) which drew from Indigenous knowledges, perspectives, and experiences to explore the multidimensional and intersecting aspects of climate impacts and adaptation.
All reports include “case stories”, which are short, non-technical descriptions of concrete, on-the-ground examples of adaptation actions across Canada. Explore the case stories through the Map of Adaptation Actions.
These reports serve as a resource for Canadians, raising awareness of the issues facing our country and providing information to support sound decisions and actions that address climate change and adapt to its impacts.
