TY - JOUR
T1 - Learning with local help
T2 - Expanding the dialogue on climate change and water management in the Okanagan Region, British Columbia, Canada
AU - Cohen, Stewart
AU - Neilsen, Denise
AU - Smith, Scott
AU - Neale, Tina
AU - Taylor, Bill
AU - Barton, Mark
AU - Merritt, Wendy
AU - Alila, Younes
AU - Shepherd, Philippa
AU - McNeill, Roger
AU - Tansey, James
AU - Carmichael, Jeff
AU - Langsdale, Stacy
PY - 2006/4
Y1 - 2006/4
N2 - The research activity described in this report is a comprehensive regional assessment of the impacts of climate change on water resources and options for adaptation in the Okanagan Basin. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop integrated climate change and water resource scenarios to stimulate a multistakeholder discussion on the implications of climate change for water management in the region. The paper describes two main objectives: (a) providing a set of research products that will be of relevance to regional interests in the Okanagan, and (b) establishing a methodology for participatory integrated assessment of regional climate change impacts and adaptation that could be applied to climate-related concerns in Canada and other countries. This collaborative study has relied on field research, computer-based models, and dialogue exercises to generate an assessment of future implications, and to learn about regional views on the prospects for adaptation. Along the way, it has benefited from strong partnerships with governments, researchers, local water practitioners, and user groups. Building on the scenario-based study components, and a series of interviews and surveys undertaken for the water management and adaptation case study components, a set of stakeholder dialogue sessions were organized which focused on identifying preferred adaptation options and processes for their implementation. Rather than seeking consensus on the "best" option or process, regional interests were asked to consider a range of available options as part of an adaptation portfolio that could address both supply side and demand side aspects of water resources management in the Okanagan.
AB - The research activity described in this report is a comprehensive regional assessment of the impacts of climate change on water resources and options for adaptation in the Okanagan Basin. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop integrated climate change and water resource scenarios to stimulate a multistakeholder discussion on the implications of climate change for water management in the region. The paper describes two main objectives: (a) providing a set of research products that will be of relevance to regional interests in the Okanagan, and (b) establishing a methodology for participatory integrated assessment of regional climate change impacts and adaptation that could be applied to climate-related concerns in Canada and other countries. This collaborative study has relied on field research, computer-based models, and dialogue exercises to generate an assessment of future implications, and to learn about regional views on the prospects for adaptation. Along the way, it has benefited from strong partnerships with governments, researchers, local water practitioners, and user groups. Building on the scenario-based study components, and a series of interviews and surveys undertaken for the water management and adaptation case study components, a set of stakeholder dialogue sessions were organized which focused on identifying preferred adaptation options and processes for their implementation. Rather than seeking consensus on the "best" option or process, regional interests were asked to consider a range of available options as part of an adaptation portfolio that could address both supply side and demand side aspects of water resources management in the Okanagan.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33744465552&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10584-006-6336-6
DO - 10.1007/s10584-006-6336-6
M3 - Review article
SN - 0165-0009
VL - 75
SP - 331
EP - 358
JO - Climatic Change
JF - Climatic Change
IS - 3
ER -