Nova Scotia ‘on the front lines of climate change’: activist

HALIFAX – The effects of climate change are becoming clear in Nova Scotia, as the region has seen more severe weather and intense storms over the last few years. A trend that experts say will continue.

“We’re already seeing some places in Halifax and around the province that are flooded or near flooded at high tide and we can expect many of those places to experience more flooding in the future,” said Robin Tress, Ecology Action Centre.

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Storm surges and sea level rise are concerning for many Nova Scotians. The Ecology Action Centre says the sea level is expected to rise more than a metre by the end of the century.

“Nova Scotia is a coastal province, like other places in Canada, we are really on the front lines of climate change,” said Catherine Abreu.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Nova Scotia is a coastal province, like other places in Canada, we are really on the front lines of climate change," said Catherine Abreu.

“Many of the communities in Nova Scotia that for instance, depend on the oceans for their livelihood or live on coasts that are quickly eroding are quickly witnesses the impact that climate change can have on our daily lives.”

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Abreu is among thousands of delegates and world leaders who are in or heading to Paris to take part in the 2015 Climate Change Conference. The goal is to create new policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nova Scotia’s Environment Minister Randy Delorey is heading to Paris to take part in the conversations.

“To have the opportunity to represent Nova Scotia at that conference is a really huge honour at a really important point in time in history,” he said.

Experts say more Nova Scotians are understanding the effects of climate change then ever before. A message that was crystal clear last weekend, as hundreds of people marched through the streets of Halifax, urging Canada to set new emission targets.

For their part, the Nova Scotia government says since 1990, Nova Scotia has reduced greenhouse gases by nine per cent, and is on track to meet the province’s legislated target of at least 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

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“While we continue our work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are also improving our ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change here at home,” said Mr. Delorey.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "While we continue our work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are also improving our ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change here at home," said Mr. Delorey.

“Through work with the Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association, the province is helping to build capacity by developing and sharing practical tools and resources.”