Further explore impacts to groundwater recharge, a major concern in urban areas.  Consider the impact

of major events, such as a high-intensity rain falling on frozen ground.

The political will to act is likely tied to a specific event.  High-impact events, such as a catastrophic flood,

raise awareness about the need for adaptation strategies.  As a result, after such an event, the window of

opportunity is open to implement an adaptation strategy.  For this reason, it is important to have strategies well

thought out and ready for implementation at a moment’s notice.

Place more emphasis on identifying true vulnerabilities and actual risk.  Identify vulnerable areas and

estimate the actual risk of harmful results.

When developing adaptation strategies, determine whether existing systems can be tweaked to address a

community’s vulnerabilities rather than developing a new system from scratch.

Tap into already-established networks to develop adaptation strategies.  Engineering professionals, health

providers, bankers, and the insurance industry will all play a role to help communities address the negative

impacts of climate change.  Engage these sectors.

Identify communities that will be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, for example,

water scarcity, and work with them to develop targeted adaptation strategies.

Strengthen non-point source management programs.  Non-point source pollution has been a long-standing

problem and is likely to become bigger as the climate changes.  Analyze existing non-point source control

programs and determine how to strengthen and improve them.

Encourage relevant parties to develop probabilistic models and make clear predictions.  The public

requires clear and concise messages about how the scientific community thinks climate change will impact the

Great Lakes basin.  Such messages can be provided if probabilistic models and predictive tools are developed.

Connect existing models to better predict the effects of climate change.  For example, connect the regional

climate model with the water-level model.

Encourage improved data storage practices and the sharing of data.  Some important historical data have

been lost.  Try to prevent similar losses in the future.

Develop more robust economic forecasts.  When projecting the costs associated with climate change, try to

calculate the cost of both inaction and action.

Resource / Resource Use Breakout Group Report

Jim Bruce, Facilitator

More clearly explain how climate change will adversely impact beneficial uses.

Incorporate recently published articles in the white paper and strengthen the information for the

agriculture section.  Specific references were provided.

Adaptations that are designed to address short-term events will help communities prepare for the long-

term impacts of global climate change.

Climate change impacts have already been seen.  Drought and extreme temperature events are occurring

more frequently.  At Walpole Island, there are many cloudless summer days now, a rare event years ago.  The

flow of the Niagara River has declined since the 1970s, impacting the hydro power industry and forcing greater

reliance on coal in New York and Ontario.  Seasonal changes are shifting, for example, on Lake Ontario and

Lake Erie, the spring rise is occurring earlier.  The recreational and tourist industries are suffering from the

effects of a warming climate.

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