A Climate Sensitive Industry

Fishing accounts for about 10 per cent of the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and forms the economic centre of many coastal communities.

Adaptation

Diversify the fisheries

Fish Habitat

Increased sediment in precipitation runoff may also challenge other commercial fish stocks like crab, lobster, salmon and other fin fish.

Adaptation

Identify resilient species

Marine Ecosystems

Climate change will affect everything from ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, sea ice coverage, nearshore and beach areas, rivers. These areas are used for feeding and spawning, coastal erosion of protective salt marshes and barrier dune systems.

Adaptation

Diversify fish farms

Tree Damage

If an ice storm is followed by a period of drought, the risk of fire goes up. As a result, more forest fires and extreme weather events are likely to increase tree mortality.

Adaptation

Establish monitoring programs

Pests

The greatest threat to forests is from insects, pathogens and herbivores. However, they are expected to move northward from more southern areas with the warmer temperatures.

Adaptation

Conserve genetic diversity

Forest Ecosystems

There may be an increase in the amount of early successional forests and decrease in the amount of late successional forests. Boreal forests, such as those found on Cape Breton Island, may switch to more temperate or mixed forests.

Adaptation

Protect infrastructure

Disease

The distribution and severity of vector-borne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease), as well as rodent, water and food-borne diseases are increasing due to climate change.

Adaptation

Stop the spread by working with other local and national authorities to control the spread of insects that carry diseases.

Capacity Challenges

The number of health complaints caused directly or indirectly by climate change has increased. For example, injuries caused by extreme weather events, respiratory illnesses and diseases associated with warmer average temperatures.

Adaptation

Re-examine Management Plans and strategies

Respiratory Conditions

Warmer temperatures can worsen air quality and increase cardiovascular conditions like asthma and allergies.

Adaptation

Support Disease Prevention

Climate change has a strong impact on the coastal areas in Nova Scotia. This is a vulnerable area as most of the population and infrastructure is located along the coastline.

The Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act

- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53% below 2005 levels by 2030.

- Achieve net-zero emissions in Nova Scotia by 2050.

The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act Imposed aggressive targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, improve air and water quality, and protect ecosystems

Signs of climate change began in 1950. In Canada, these changes include rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increases in certain types of hazardous weather.

Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Action Plan

https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ccap.pdf

Department of Environment and Climate Change

Responsibilities

Inspection, Compliance and Enforcement

Conservation Enforcement
Environmental Health
Fisheries and Aquaculture

Food Protection

Air

Land

Contaminated Sites
Environmental Assessment
Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste

Pests and Pesticides

Petroleum Storage

Pollution Prevention

Protected Areas

Solid Waste and Recycling

Water

Drinking Water
Groundwater
Operator Certification

Surface Water

Wastewater

Water Resources Management Strategy

Watercourse Alteration

Wetlands

Scientists agree that greenhouse gases are the ultimate cause for rising land and ocean temperatures around the world.