C-CIARN Agriculture

Archived Update — November, 2005

Greetings from C-CIARN Agriculture,

On November 17th, 2005, the Canadian Government announced the creation of Centres of Excellence on Adaptation. Building on the Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network, which was established in 2000, Centres of Excellence on Adaptation will raise awareness of practical adaptation issues, and be primary developers of the relevant planning tools for decision-makers in federal, territorial, and Aboriginal governments and business sectors. A particular focus will be on adaptation issues in the Arctic, where we are already seeing broad impacts of climate change. These Centres will also provide outreach to other countries in both the industrialized and the developing world, to share expertise and facilitate the development of centres within those countries.
The full news release is available here

Adaptation is the focus for the C-CIARN sponsored Parallel Event at COP 11 on Dec 2, 2005. A session on Food Security, featuring Canadian and international speakers, starts off the day-long event. The full program is available here

Articles of Interest
Wang, Guiling. 2005. Agricultural drought in a future climate: results from 15 global climate models participating in the IPCC 4th assessment. Climate Dynamics Volume 25, Numbers 7-8: 739 – 753.

Reports of Interest
1. Adapting to Climate Change in Eastern New Zealand. A research project and report detailing responses from the farm community is available here

2.Tiempo Climate Newswatch: Special Issue on Climate Change and Africa. Issue 57 - October 2005. Report available here

3. Agriculture and Climate Change, National Farmers Union (United Kingdom) A report detailing the Farmers Union assessment of climate change impacts and their ability to adapt is available here

4. The report of the Climate Dialogue at Pocantico, outlining options and recommendations for advancing the international climate change effort post-2012, is now available on-line and will be available in hard copy at COP 11/MOP 1 in Montreal. Available here

Employment Opportunity
Research assistance for Project: Canadian Agricultural Adaptations to 21st Century Droughts: Preparing for Climate Change?

Tasks:

Document and evaluate adaptation options that were actually used in different regions across Canada in the 2001 and 2002 droughts
Prepare materials and participate in stakeholder consultations (focus groups and questionnaire surveys) in eastern Canada

Skills required:

Rural planning/geography background
Research skills - searching for relevant literature via the Internet, journal indexes, library catalogues, print media surveys, and agricultural/local newsletters for relevant information.
Knowledge of basic statistical methods, questionnaire surveys
Experience in conducting stakeholder consultations, interviews
Microsoft Word, Excel, Access
Strong technical writing skills
Valid Driver's license
Knowledge of global change, climate change adaptation an asset
Knowledge of hydrology, water resources management an asset

Rate of pay:
Range from $19.00-21.00/hour depending on year in undergraduate program and experience.

Period of employment:
December 2005-March 2006, with possible renewal for another 12 months

Location:
Downsview HQ and/or AIRG offices at University of Toronto (downtown campus)

Contact for application details:
Grace Koshida
Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, Environment Canada
c/o Centre for Environment
University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Suite 1016V
Toronto, ON M5S 3E8
Tel: (416) 978-0309 fax: (416) 978-3884
email:Grace.Koshida@ec.gc.ca

All for now,

Ellen Wall (ewall@uoguelph.ca)
Co-ordinator, C-CIARN Agriculture
(Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network for Agriculture)
Blackwood Hall (Room 202)
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
N1G 2W1
Phone: 519 824 4120 ext 58480
Fax: 519 763 4686
http://www.c-ciarn.uoguelph.ca

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