Coastal Adaptation in a Changing Climate

Abstract

Atlantic Canada, like other areas, is facing accelerating sea-level rise, stronger storms, decreasing sea ice, and accelerating, more extensive coastal erosion and flooding. Coastal adaptation reduces the risk from these processes—made more intense by climate change—but often requires difficult decisions, changes in human behavior, and agreement over shared principles to guide action. In keeping with the Thinkers Lodge tradition of addressing complex societal challenges, a small group of international adaptation experts gathered in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, to consider guiding principles for successful coastal community adaptation both in the Maritimes and beyond. This document summarises ideas discussed across six coastal adaptation topics.