The economy of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and the lifestyle of its residents have always been deeply connected to the land and ocean, and the natural resources that abound from them. From agriculture and fisheries, mining and energy generation, to tourism, the arts, and the activities of everyday life, we have built systems and narratives that rely on a stable climate and healthy ecosystems to function optimally.
The reality is that we have entered a period of climate instability and what has worked for us in the past is now experiencing vulnerability and strain. Climate change is actively shifting our baseline and we must reframe our decision-making accordingly. We must consider more factors, ask ourselves new questions, and look further ahead than we may have before. Incomplete analysis and short-sightedness at this point in history may not only lead to poor investment outcomes, but even risk to life.
As decision makers invest into economic development initiatives in the province, it is therefore important to consider how the changing climate will impact proposed plans. This discussion paper aims to illustrate the connections between climate change and economic development in NL so that we can move forward in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes benefits for all.
As part of on-going efforts to both inform and learn from community members across the province, the Harris Centre – in partnership with econext and CLIMAtlantic – hosted a series of regional workshops in 2023 to discuss the impacts and adaptation opportunities associated with climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador. These sessions built on Forecast NL, an 18-month initiative by the Harris Centre that brought together key stakeholders for a province-wide discussion on the question: How can NL create economic and social prosperity while mitigating and adapting to climate change?
The primary focus for the 2023 regional workshops was to:
Provide an opportunity for community members and stakeholders from different NL regions and sectors to learn more about climate adaptation strategies potentially relevant to their region and the climate impacts they are experiencing.
Hear directly from community members and stakeholders about experiences with climate change and how their communities/region have begun to consider or adopt adaptation strategies.
Create a forum for community members to explore the needs and opportunities for adaptation strategies to enhance the resilience of their region, and to highlight the types of technical assistance or other supports needed in order to pursue these strategies.
Generate useful information for local and provincial organizations to inform their planning and provision of technical assistance resources toward climate adaptation issues and strategies of highest interest, priority and need.
The following report is a summary of workshops held during 2023 in Grand Falls-Windsor, Port Rexton/Trinity East, Bonavista, Port aux Basques, Codroy Valley, and Pasadena.
The Coastal Adaptation Toolkit was developed by CLIMAtlantic to help Atlantic rural coastal communities and property owners plan for the effects of climate change. It is appropriate for use by communities and property owners that are experiencing coastal issues related to erosion and/or short- and long-term flooding impacts.
The intent of the toolkit is to help communities and decision-makers as well as coastal property owners be aware of their coastal environment, the different adaptation options available to them, and the applicability of the options under different scenarios.
This post is part of a series of articles to help create awareness of green economy challenges and opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador
In late September 2022, residents of Channel-Port aux Basques experienced a storm like no other.
Fiona reached the town located at the extreme southwestern tip of Newfoundland as a post-tropical storm equivalent to a Category 2 Atlantic Hurricane. It lashed out against the coastal town with winds whipped up to 135 kilometers per hour and a storm surge that broke the record for the highest water level ever recorded in the area.
Family homes which had stood for generations were ripped from their foundations. The sheer force of the event left an indelible mark on the landscape and amidst the chaos, a sense of resilience emerged as communities came together to support each other through the turbulent times.
Fiona’s toll included widespread physical destruction to homes and businesses, and a community reeling with unimaginable loss. For those living in so many of the coastal communities in this province, the storm also leaves behind an uncertain future. With the world getting warmer due to climate change, they can likely expect more intense hurricanes to reach their shores. In other words, the storms that do hit are going to hit harder than ever before.
To protect against the impacts of powerful storms – whether through improved forecasting tools, stronger infrastructure, or government policy – coastal communities need to adapt to climate change impacts to safeguard themselves from the increasingly destructive forces of nature.
When it comes to predicting and preparing for hurricanes, understanding their ingredients is key.
Just like a cookie needs the right balance of sugar, flour, and butter to turn out perfectly, a hurricane needs certain conditions to form and strengthen.
First and foremost, warm ocean water is essential, with a surface temperature of at least 26 degrees Celsius required. As the saying goes, “heat rises,” and it’s no different with hurricanes. The warmer the water, the more energy is available to fuel the storm.
Next, there needs to be plenty of moisture in the air. This helps feed the storm and keeps it growing.
Low wind shear is also crucial. This refers to the difference in wind speed and direction at different altitudes. If there is too much wind shear, it can disrupt the storm’s circulation and weaken it.
Finally, there needs to be certain atmospheric conditions or a disturbance in place, such as a thunderstorm, for a hurricane to form. Without this initial spark, the storm won’t have anything to build upon. Imagine blending all these elements together, like the ingredients of a recipe, and what do you get? A hurricane, right? Well, not always. Even when all these factors align perfectly, the magic doesn’t guarantee that a hurricane will emerge every time. It’s like nature’s own unpredictable masterpiece!
Hurricane return periods tell us how often we can expect a hurricane of a certain strength to hit a particular area. For instance, a return period of 20 years for a major hurricane means that, historically, a Category 3 or higher hurricane has made landfall within 50 nautical miles of that location an average of five times in the past 100 years. Therefore, we could anticipate around five more of these severe storms to hit that area over the next century. In our new climate reality, we’re staring down the barrel of a future where these extreme weather events are becoming more frequent (unless we take drastic action to combat climate change) rather than generational events.
Trying to figure out how climate change will affect hurricanes might seem really hard. But with advanced global climate models, a deep understanding of how hurricanes work, and looking at past hurricane patterns, scientists are getting better at predicting these strong storms. Still, it’s important to remember that there’s some uncertainty, even though we’re making progress in how we study them. So, there’s hope, but we’re not completely certain yet.
Did you know:
Hurricane Fiona was the costliest extreme weather event ever recorded in Atlantic Canada, with an estimated $660 million in insured damages. Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ)
It takes a community
The community of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove (LBMCOC) is nestled on the northeastern coast of the Avalon Peninsula. Residents there are all too familiar with the mounting threats posed by a rise in the frequency and severity of fall and winter storms.
With the relative sea level rising on the Avalon peninsula, residents find themselves at the mercy of higher storm surges and increased wave action which cause coastal erosion. Heavier rains bring flooding, landslides, and impacts river water quality, posing a danger to public health.
In 2010, the town participated in the piloting of a climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning workbook. Through a series of community discussions, residents and local leaders identified key climate-related issues affecting the town and mapped out areas that were particularly vulnerable to flooding.
The town council concluded that they needed to be proactive concerning the things they can control within their municipal boundaries by implementing adaptation options to reduce flood risks into the future. These included:
Rezoning vulnerable areas in sensitive areas, like wetlands, and protecting waterways
Lining ditches with rock and material designed to reduce the velocity of water flows
Diverting flows from waterways that are more susceptible to damage from flood events (e.g., damming, storing overflow)
Establishing more routine checks on existing culverts and bridges to keep the areas clear of debris and tree falls
Strategies for communication in the event of a flood
Water Control: How to beat the flooding odds
When it comes to sewer backup and basement flooding due to extreme weather, homes are taking a beating. The good news is that this damage is largely preventable. That’s why local governments and private property owners must act now to turn the tide.
A comprehensive strategy which includes communication, local actions, and incentives for private property owners is key to reducing the risk of damage from sewer backup and basement flooding caused by extreme weather events.
Coastal towns in Newfoundland and Labrador can look to other communities across Canada for inspiration and best practices. Many have taken it upon themselves to solve this problem. They set a great example for the rest by taking important actions that reduce the risk of basement flooding like the installation of backwater valves, sump pumps, storm lateral replacement or lot grading.
Newfoundland’s coastal communities were built to survive. These actions demonstrate the ingenuity and determination of the residents of LBMCOC in the face of a rapidly changing climate. With communities around the world facing similar challenges as sea levels continue to rise and storm events become more intense, it is time for government leaders and policy makers at all levels to take notice and take action. By addressing, and adapting to, the impacts of climate change today, our coastal towns and cities may continue to thrive in the face of adversity.
Acknowledgements and Resources
Written by Dave Lank with contributions from Sepehr Khosravi
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (2012). Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove Case Study. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment by Policy and Planning Division of Department of Environment and Conservation.
econext engaged with 42 community stakeholders across the province to understand their climate action priorities. The purpose of the research was to help econext understand the current level of climate action taking place in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the future initiatives and projects that were being prioritized.
