Adaptation involves taking measures to reduce or prepare for impacts of climate change. Managing natural resources using adaptive management principles involves learning about climate change vulnerabilities and risks of species and ecosystems, evaluating possible responses, implementing adaptation action, and revising choices with new learning over time.
Activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions refer to mitigation. Adaptation complements measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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What are the known and potential climate change impacts in Ontario?
Climate change impacts the provinces natural resources – its forests, water, fish and wildlife. Some species will adapt – by migrating, altering the time they breed, or seeking alternative food sources. Others that are less able to adapt to changing conditions will disappear from all or parts of their current range. For example, it is projected that the southern range of many Ontario species such as moose, gray jays, and polar bears will shift north. Decreases in ice cover and changes to freeze-up and break-up times will affect aquatic species and will alter the food-chain dynamics in aquatic ecosystems.
Learn more about the known and potential impacts of climate change on natural resources in Ontario.
What are we doing to adapt to climate change?
The Ontario government released Climate Ready - an action plan on ways we can adapt to a changing climate. The Ministry of Natural Resources is contributing to adaptation efforts by exploring ecosystem-focused climate change vulnerability assessments, climate modelling on natural resource impacts and many other actions. Take a look at examples of adaptation from Ontario.
Want to learn more?
• Learn more about the plan to and what you can do by visiting Ministry of the Environment’s
Adapting to Climate Change site.
• Find more information and resources from Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and
Adaptation Resources.
• Read about the role of parks and protected areas in climate change mitigation and
adaptation.
