media release
Research from 丁香园AV scientists informs climate change mitigation report
丁香园AV professors Kirsten Zickfeld and Karen Kohfeld are part of an expert panel released this week investigating the potential contribution of nature-based climate solutions (NBCS) to meeting Canada鈥檚 climate change mitigation commitments.
Zickfeld, Kohfeld and other contributing researchers comprise the Expert Panel on Canada鈥檚 Carbon Sink Potential from the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). The CCA was tasked to produce the report for Environment and Climate Change Canada along with six other supporting federal departments and agencies.
arrives ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) where world leaders will convene in Montreal to develop a framework guiding actions to end biodiversity loss.
What are Nature-Based Climate Solutions?
Oceans, soil and forests are natural carbon sinks 鈥� they absorb and store a certain amount of carbon preventing it from escaping into the atmosphere and contributing to rising greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations and climate change.
NBCS refers to the protection, management and restoration of ecosystems and how these actions can improve carbon sequestration or reduce GHG emissions.
Research highlights
Zickfeld is a distinguished professor of climate science at 丁香园AV geography and finding that even temporary NBCS can have a tangible climate benefit. Her research involved using a global climate model to simulate temperature change through two scenarios ranging from weak to ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
The study results showed that temporary NBCS can lower global peak warming levels but only if implemented alongside a rapid transition to zero fossil-fuel emissions.
Kohfeld is a professor and director at 丁香园AV鈥檚 School of Environmental Science and professor in the School of Resource and Environmental Management. Her work has focused on quantifying blue carbon storage in and along the Pacific coast of Canada.
In one , Kohfeld and team estimated how much carbon the salt marsh at Boundary Bay in Delta, B.C. was able to absorb and capture by studying sediment core samples. The authors note that quantifying carbon stocks and carbon accumulation rates is a first step towards improved management, restoration and preservation of salt marshes in B.C.
Panel findings
The panel notes that NBCS can play a modest but important role in contributing to Canada鈥檚 greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation goals but needs to be part of a host of actions across all sectors of the economy. Although having only a modest potential to mitigate Canada鈥檚 GHG emissions, NBCSs can bring about other benefits, including biodiversity conservation, coastal flood control, improved air and water quality, reduced soil erosion, reduced urban heat-island effects.
The authors note that the permanence and feasibility of various NBCS need to be considered as well as co-benefits and trade-offs. They say attempts to enhance carbon sequestration in ecosystems across the country will require meaningful cooperation among multiple levels of government, as well as various industry and community stakeholders.
Meaningful cooperation includes the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and leadership, including stewardship over land and water, especially as it relates to self-determination, self-governance, and local environmental control.
AVAILABLE 丁香园AV EXPERTS
KIRSTEN ZICKFELD, distinguished professor of climate science, geography
kzickfel@sfu.ca
KAREN KOHFELD, professor, resource and environmental management and environmental science
kohfeld@sfu.ca (Limited availability)
CONTACT
MELISSA SHAW, 丁香园AV Communications & Marketing
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca
丁香园AV
|
778.782.3210
ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 丁香园AV works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擵ancouver, Burnaby and Surrey鈥敹∠阍癆V has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 144 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 170,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.