THE FOLLOWING HIGHLIGHTS THE CANADIAN GLOBAL CHANGE PROGRAM'S (CGCP'S) RECENT ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES.
The Clean Development MechanismThe Centre for Global Studies (CFGS) is actively involved in identifying, designing and managing international projects within the framework of Global Climate Change, in particular the opportunities and risks for industry presented by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The CDM allows Annex 1 countries to use certified emission reductions of greenhouse gas emission accruing from sustainable development projects in developing countries to meet reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
The signatories of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada, Mexico and the United States, are united in their commitment to face the environmental and economic challenges posed by global warming. However, no collaborative effort has been undertaken on a trilateral level to assess what kind of institutional and business structure would most effectively maximize the impact of CDM-based initiatives in Mexico.
CFGS has produced a new report on the Clean Development Mechanism, entitled "The Clean Development Mechanism: A Canadian Perspective.". The report was funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. For more information on the CDM project or to download a copy of this report, link to the CDM page of the CFGS website.
Seafood Sustainability in a Changing Climate - WorkshopA participatory workshop to develop solutions for the Northeast Pacific Ocean and Coastal Zones. This workshop took place on May 25-26, 2000 at the University of Victoria, in Victoria, BC. Connect directly to the workshop poster located on the CICS website.
For more information about the workshop, contact Rick Lee by phone at (250) 472-4291, or through the Institute's offices at:
Canadian Institute for Climate Studies 130 Saunders Annex University of Victoria PO Box 1700, Stn CSC Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2
Tel: (250) 721-6236 Fax: (250) 721-7217
Commission for Environmental Cooperation - MEDIA ADVISORY
The first North American Symposium on Understanding the Linkages Between Trade and Environment
As part of its work to assess the environmental impacts of trade liberalization, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation issued a public Call for Papers, inviting interested groups and individuals to submit proposals for research papers on topics related to improving our understanding of environment-trade links. The deadline for submitting proposals was 31 January 2000. Those selected will be invited to present their research at the first North American Symposium on Understanding the Linkages between Trade and the Environment, to be held in October 2000.
The purpose of this symposium is to bring together the leading institutions and organizations in North America to discuss the linkages between environment and trade in the NAFTA context and, in particular, to encourage further analysis in light of the methodology developed by the CEC in the Analytic Framework for Assessing the Environment Effects of NAFTA. The overall goal of this symposium is to advance the understanding of linkages between environment, economy, and trade, in order to strengthen environmental protection in the region. Enhancing our understanding of environment and trade linkages will enable the NAFTA partners to optimize the environmental benefits of free trade and mitigate any negative impacts. Results from the symposium will also point out promising areas for further study.
The Analytic Framework for Assessing the Environmental Effects of NAFTA may be found on the CEC Website at http://www.cec.org/.
For more information on the symposium, or to submit papers, please contact:
Scott Vaughan Head of Environment, Economy and Trade Program 393, rue St. Jacques ouest, Suite 200 Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1N9 Tel: (514) 350-4302 Fax: (514) 350-4314 Email: svaughan@ccemtl.org
Canadian Marine Fisheries in a Changing and Uncertain World
A report prepared for the Canadian Global Change Program of the Royal Society of Canada
Panel Members and Authors:
Brad de Young, Randall M. Peterman, A. Rod Dobell, Evelyn Pinkerton, Yvan Breton, Anthony T. Charles, Michael J. Fogarty, Gordon R. Munro, and Christopher TaggartAbstract
In recent years, Canadians have become increasingly aware of the dynamic and changing nature of fishery systems, which include not only the fish and their environment, but also people and their associated social and economic institutions and communities. As a result of the challenges created by our constantly changing fisheries, the Canadian Global Change Program of the Royal Society of Canada formed an interdisciplinary Fisheries Panel of nine people in 1996. The panel’s mandate was to write an authoritative and comprehensive review of the implications of physical, biological, economic, and sociopolitical changes for Canadian marine fisheries and to present options for how to deal with those changes.
This report outlines a vision for future sustainable marine fisheries for Canada and reviews the state of Canadian marine fishery systems. It also examines the complexities and major processes of change and variability in fishery systems, which lead to uncertainties and create risks, i.e., biological risks for fish populations, economic risks for those in industry, and social and economic risks for people in coastal communities who rely on renewable aquatic resources. These risks have important implications not only for how management agencies should operate, but also for how industry, fishermen, and coastal fishing-dependent communities should plan and act. The last part of the report therefore emphasizes the features of an effective social response to the challenge of managing these risks: stewardship and conservation, participation and cooperation, and compliance and accountability. We develop several guiding principles that, in the presence of change, uncertainty, and risks, can help attain the overall goals of biologically productive aquatic systems, economically viable fishing industries, and sustainable fishing-dependent communities. These principles include (a) incorporating analysis of structural and dynamic complexities of fishery systems into decision-making; (b) incorporating explicit analysis of change, uncertainties, and risk into decision-making; (c) promoting and conserving biological, economic, and social diversity; (d) collecting, analyzing and openly communicating data and information; (e) estimating and documenting the social and ecological consequences of decisions and actions; and (f) clearly defining roles, rights, and responsibilities of all fishery participants to align their interests with the overall objectives of sustainability. Finally, we identify several strategies that can be used by management agencies, industry, fishermen, and coastal fishing-dependent communities to follow these principles. These strategies include implementing (a) a precautionary approach, (b) risk-assessment and risk-management procedures, (c) eco-system-based management and promoting diversity, (d) measures to ensure adequate collection and communication of information, (e) institutional reform and promoting compliance, and (f) informed social decisions through appropriate pricing, accounting, reporting, and charging. The benefits and drawbacks of these different strategies are assessed and examples are provided of their application in fishery systems.
Information on the publication Canadian Marine Fisheries in a Changing and Uncertain World may be found on the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.ca/cgi-bin/cisti/journals/rp/rp_booy_e?mlist4_127
New offices and a new Website
The Canadian Global Change Program has recently moved its offices from the Royal Society of Canada in Ottawa to the University of Victoria. Despite very substantial cuts in the CGCP's funding, we are trying to revive the program and to determine the most effective roles for us to play in the future.
Much of the strength of the Canadian Global Change Program in the past came from its extensive network of contacts throughout Canada and the world. We shall try to maintain and build upon this network and to continue to serve the "Global Change" community as effectively as we can.
We hope that you will continue your interest in the Canadian Global Change Program as it takes on a new life from the West Coast of Canada!
Canadian Global Change Program
University of Victoria
PO Box 1700 STN CSC
Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2
Canada
E-mail: cgcp@uvic.ca
Tel: (250) 472-4337
Fax: (250) 472-4830
Website: http://www.globalcentres.org/cgcp
