Executive Director, Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT)
Simon Fraser University

Canadians face major impacts of climate change over the coming years, such as violent storms, sea-level rise, compromised water supply, energy challenges and health risks. To date, the climate change debate in North America has focused on emissions reduction; however, there is a clear need for a parallel emphasis on adaptation measures. Without this planning, the damage and costs caused by climate change effects will be unsustainably severe, and it is vital that we equip our decision-makers now with resources to guide them through the challenges. SFU has formed ACT in response to this need.

ACT is conducting a series of six-month sessions on top-of-mind climate change issues that bring leading experts from around the world together with industry, community, and government decision-makers to explore the risks and generate recommendations for sustainable adaptation. Each session features multi-stakeholder, inter-disciplinary conferences and public dialogues on the topic in question that study the problems posed as well as potential solutions. These events are accompanied by a policy research and development process led by a policy expert working with a team of graduate researchers to develop policy options for sustainable adaptation to the impacts.

At the end of each session, ACT produces a major report on the findings that is disseminated to government, industry and communities. ACT also publishes the findings as a resource for public and educational purposes, publicizes them through high-level media relations, and makes them available as tools for other areas and countries facing similar issues.

As ACT’s Executive Director, Deborah is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the program, as well as development of the initiative’s pioneering vision and its unique partnerships with the public and private sectors. Through her efforts, ACT has created networks between local, national and international climate change research practitioners, NGOs, industry representatives, all levels of government, First Nations groups and local communities. Deborah’s work with ACT has gained her national recognition as a resource for those seeking information on climate change adaptation, and practical coping strategies; her timely piece on industry adaptation to climate change was published in a special feature for Canadian Business magazine. Most recently, Deborah is also the lead author on a white paper commissioned by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), which explores climate challenges facing BC, and highlights recommendations designed to facilitate adaptation strategies.

ACT’s first set of findings, on Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity, has received an enthusiastic response from all over North America; the second set, on Climate Change Adaptation and Extreme Weather Events, authored by Dr. Gordon McBean, will be released mid-April 2009. Presenters from the North have provided valuable contributions to all of ACT’s conferences to date, including experts such as Kellie Mitchell, Arctic Director for Public Safety Canada; Rose Kushniruk of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation; Donna Barnett, Mayor of 100 Mile House; and John Streicker, formerly of the Northern Climate ExChange.

ACT’s website is www.sfu.ca/act/

ACT’s blog is accessible at www.act-adapt.org/