Summary

8.0 SUMMARY

Within the Great Lakes region, some notable changes in climate and hydrology have been

identified.  For example, air temperatures are rising, the minimums more than the maximums.  

Associated indices such as growing season length, frost-free season, cooling season, and heating

season are also affected.  Snow cover duration and areal extent are decreasing.  The important

spring runoff is occurring earlier.

The people, communities, economic activities, wildlife, and ecosystems of the Great Lakes

region are sensitive to climate variability and change.  However, their vulnerability depends on

the capacity to adapt.  Human systems have the greatest capacity to deal with a changing climate

because they can be deliberate about adaptation.  Through proactive planning, management

adjustments, investment, legislation, institutional change, and education and training,

modifications can be made to minimize impacts and take advantage of opportunities.  It is not an

easy task but it can be done.  Yet, thresholds may be reached that significantly strain adaptive

capacity.  Natural ecosystems, their processes and wildlife are most vulnerable to a changing

climate because adaptation is autonomous.  The ecosystems respond through natural processes

but the outcomes are uncertain.  Significant human intervention may be required to Ňmanage”

change but managers do not have the knowledge or the capacity to address all the potential

changes.  

There is much to be done to address the issue of a changing climate in the Great Lakes

watershed.  Monitoring is required to detect changes in climate as well as identify impacts in

ecosystems, to communities, and on economic activity.  Climate change impact assessments are

needed particularly on the effects on ecosystems and water quality.  There is a crucial lack of

understanding of the implications of a changing climate for the beneficial uses in the Great

Lakes Water Quality Agreement.  Adaptation measures need to be identified, assessed, costed,

and incorporated into an adaptation strategy.  This requires an integrated approach where a wide

range of adaptations are considered; many practitioners and stakeholders are involved in

dialogue and included in the decision process.

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