Experts on Canada’s Changing Climate Report

The following University of Victoria faculty members are available to media to discuss Canada’s Changing Climate Report (CCCR2019) released April 2 by Environment and Climate Change Canada.  

Francis Zwiers (Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium) was an expert reviewer for the report. He is a research scientist with expertise in the application of statistical methods to the analysis of observed and simulated climate variability and change. PCIC science helps decision-makers mitigate risks through the delivery of climate data and information that is tailored to the needs of its users. (Zwiers can be reached through 250-721-7641 or researchcomm@uvic.ca) 

Greg Flato (Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma at UVic)) is an author of the CCCR2019 report, senior research scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) CCCma, as well as an adjunct professor at UVic’s School of Earth and Ocean Sciences. Flato conducts research related to ECCC's global and regional earth system models, and their application to historical climate simulation, seasonal to interannual climate prediction, and long-term climate projection. (Office at 250-514-5044 or Greg.Flato@canada.ca) 

Johan Feddema (Geography) is the chair of UVic’s Department of Geography. His research simulates human impacts on the climate system, specializing in the impacts of land cover change on the climate system, which include the impacts of urbanization.  He is also interested in how climate change is affecting society, human health and ecosystems. (Email at feddema@uvic.ca) 

Randy Scharien (Geography) specializes in Arctic sea ice and ocean-sea ice climate interactions. He was an expert reviewer for the report. He can discuss the scientific findings in the report and comment on the warming trends being observed in the Arctic. (Email at randy@uvic.ca) Scharien is available Tuesday, April 2 between noon and 2 p.m. PDT. 

Robert Gifford (Psychology/Environmental Studies) can discuss details of the report and what it will take to change human behavior in relation to climate change—“the dragons of inaction”—the reasons why people don’t do more to prevent climate change. He is an expert in environmental psychology and the barriers to sustainable behavior. (Office at 250-721-7532 or email at rgifford@uvic.ca) 

Sybil Seitzinger (Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS)) is the executive director of PICS, a collaboration of BC’s four research-intensive universities that is hosted and led by UVic, and a member of the BC Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council, which provides expert advice to the provincial government in the development of its new climate strategy. Seitzinger can discuss the urgent need for climate change mitigation and adaptation, especially as it relates to communities and the economy, and the need to prepare Canadian businesses, jobs and markets to be part of the emerging low carbon economy. (Seitzinger can be reached through 250-853-3626/250-588-4053 or email picscomm@uvic.ca)