Water Issues RE: Climate Change in the Great Lakes Basin
While the Great Lakes have experienced a changing climate throughout their existence, the recent and anticipated acceleration of this transformation is a cause for concern. This rapid change presents significant challenges for the Great Lakes and the ecosystems, economies and communities that rely on them.
This one-day course focuses on the impacts of climate change and the fluctuation in lake levels on the Great Lakes basin. Participants will examine documented shifts in temperature, precipitation, winter ice coverage and evaporation and how they affect the diverse species inhabiting the lakes, the economic activities supported by them and the individuals who depend on the lakes for their livelihoods, recreation and transportation.
The course will also provide an overview of observed trends, future forecasts and ongoing initiatives to address climate change in the Great Lakes region. Discussion will encompass both adaptive measures aimed at building resilience in systems dependent on the lakes and mitigation strategies to tackle existing challenges. Join us for a day of exploration, understanding and dialogue on the critical issues linked to climate change in our Great Lakes.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Understand how climate change in our Great Lakes region has occurred in the past, both in terms of lake formation through and including past recorded history.
- Learn the basics of climate change precipitation and temperature issues as they relate to our Great Lakes.
- Consider the business case for ignoring vs addressing climate change in our Great Lakes system.
- Explore what’s already being done to adapt to and mitigate climate change in and around our Great Lakes.
Dates and locations to be announced.
