PART 2

THE WATER QUALITY BOARD’S ADVICE

TO THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION

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n late 2001, the International Joint Commission asked its Great Lakes Water Quality Board to provide

advice about implications and impacts of climate change on Great Lakes water quality and on achievement

of the 14 beneficial uses identified in Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.  The Commis-

sion also asked how we can address climate change.  In response, the Board commissioned a white paper (Part

3 of this report) and held a workshop (Parts 4 and 5).

The Water Quality Board believes that climate change and variability is a serious issue that requires action.  The

white paper identifies changes in climate and hydrology within the Great Lakes region.  People, communities,

economic activities, wildlife, and ecosystems are sensitive to climate variability and change.  However, through

proactive planning, management adjustments, investments, legislation, institutional change, and education and

training, modifications can be made to minimize impacts and take advantage of opportunities.

Both mitigation and adaptation actions are required as a balanced response to climate change.  Mitigation of

climate change is being addressed by governments and stakeholders at global, national, and regional scales.

Yet, even if mitigation measures are implemented, the earth’s climate will continue to change due to natural

forces and human-caused effects.

Impacts of climate change manifest themselves uniquely in regions such as the Great Lakes basin.  Adaptation

measures need to be designed and implemented to accommodate each locality’s specific context and capacity.

Therefore, the board chose to focus on adaptation.

The Water Quality Board presents the following advice to the Commission.  Based on the information presented

in the white paper and from discussion at the climate change workshop, the Board concludes that there is a need

for:

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Development and implementation of an adaptation strategy.

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Research on climate impacts and adaptation, with a focus on the Great Lakes region.

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Development of decision-making tools.

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Communication and outreach.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ADAPTATION STRATEGY

The Board concludes that there is a need to embrace a risk assessment and management process to deal with

climate change.  The Board has identified elements of a general framework for development of adaptation

strategies, with details in the white paper.  The Board recognizes the magnitude of the climate change issue and

the requirements and challenges associated with development of a strategy and implementation of adaptive

measures, especially the consideration that must be given to spatial and temporal variability of climate change

and impacts across the Great Lakes region.

A crucial element for any strategy is stakeholder involvement.  This necessitates communication and outreach -

especially with those vulnerable to climate change - to identify, define, and analyze issues and impacts, to

develop responses, and to define goals and end points.  The Board supports a staged approach of consultation

by sector, to work in partnership to address issues, impacts, and consequences - both environmental and

economic - then to explore sensible approaches to adapt.  The strategy should identify and prioritize specific

actions to be taken.

Another important component of a climate change adaptation strategy is to link with other stressors that

challenge the Great Lakes, and to develop and implement programs and actions in concert, to mutual benefit.

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