Scope and Goals of this Assessment

From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate, 2007 reflects the advances made in understanding Canada's vulnerability to climate change during the past decade. Through a primarily regional approach, this assessment discusses current and future risks and opportunities that climate change presents to Canada, with a focus on human and managed systems. It is based on a critical analysis of existing knowledge, drawn both from the published scientific and technical literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) and from expert (including traditional) knowledge. The current state of understanding is presented, and key knowledge gaps are identified. Authors have highlighted advances in understanding adaptation, as well as examples of recent and ongoing adaptation initiatives. Although emphasis is placed on studies conducted within Canada, international references are incorporated as appropriate. Further details on the approaches used in the assessment are presented in Chapter 2.

This assessment highlights what we know regarding vulnerability and the key issues facing each region of the country, with the goal of being policy relevant. It is a science-based assessment that will serve as an up-to-date, readily accessible source of information on climate change impacts and adaptation, providing a foundation that informs adaptation decision-making and policy development.