The pace of climate change adaptation needs to be ramped up. Due to the growing demand for information on this subject, Ouranos is launching a set of free training activities on key climatology and adaptation concepts. Why register? Here are three reasons.
1. Understand the fundamental concepts before taking action
“With this new offering, we wanted to take action on two fronts: to respond more effectively to the high demand for support for adaptation, and to promote a common understanding of basic facts in climate science and adaptation. If we all speak the same language, it’s easier to coordinate effective adaptation actions to fight climate change,” explains Isabelle Charron, Head of Knowledge Transfer and Training at Ouranos.
Adaptation is an increasingly central topic that isn’t often addressed in traditional academic courses. “These activities don’t replace a university education. They’re complementary. They offer continuing education for professionals who need to upgrade their knowledge in order to be able to make more informed decisions,” she says.
2. Science-based learning activities
In response to needs expressed in the field, the training activities are based on rigorous, up-to-date scientific content. In designing them, external partners were consulted and the essential knowledge to be mastered was analyzed. The expertise of all the Ouranos teams was incorporated through a collaborative process of co-construction and testing, as well as contributions from several external partners, including the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), which has expertise in adult education.
“It’s a process that reflects what climate change adaptation itself should be: collaborative, agile, able to meet targeted needs and benefiting from all types of expertise—in science as well as education and communications,” says Charron.
3. Demystifying adaptation and taking action
The training activities are an ideal way to initiate action on climate change adaptation. They are designed to:
Make scientific information accessible and demystify it
Deconstruct the complexity of adaptation and resilience
Prepare those involved in its planning and implementation
“Adaptation has begun in Quebec, but we need to do more. The activities are intended to be a foundation on which we can build and truly embark on an adaptation process. They can provide a basic understanding or enhance participants’ previous knowledge,” notes Charron. “I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the development of these activities.”
Anyone involved in climate action and, more specifically, people playing a strategic role or participating in the implementation of climate change adaptation.
