CFCAS seeks $250M for environmental research

The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) is asking the federal government for $250 million over 10 years, and an expanded mandate, to deal with the socio-economic and health impacts and adaptation related to climate change, in addition to scientific research and training.

"At present, federal laboratories are struggling to adjust to reduced funding, deteriorating infrastructure and shifting priorities; and CFCAS resources are now fully committed. These factors have compromised Canada's ability to retain leadership in key fields, generate the knowledge needed to meet its own needs and its international environmental commitments, and to seize new opportunities," the CFCAS states in its submission to the House Finance Committee as part of the government's pre-budget consultations.

The proposed $250-million budget is a substantial increase over the $109 million it has invested in research since 2000. New competitions are on hold until renewed funding is secured.

The CFCAS says the new money would target smog/atmospheric chemistry, the extreme weather that causes natural disasters, climate trends and marine prediction. Fulfilling the government's "made in Canada" approach to clean air will require new knowledge, innovative policies, an adaptation strategy and skilled people, it states.

The brief also says the rust-out of federal labs "has compromised Canada's scientific infrastructure and monitoring capacity and this must be addressed" with increased funding.

Other recommendations include: support for continuous monitoring, archiving, and use of scientific and research data on the environment, including the north and adjacent oceans; and more funding for Canadian involvement in measured bilateral and international science and research initiatives related to weather, air quality, climate, marine conditions, and water resources.

The CFCAS is the main funding body for university-based research on climate, atmospheric and related oceanic work in Canada. Tomorrow it will announce $4 million for the new Canadian Carbon Program, a $7-million study on forest carbon cycling. Announcements are expected soon on CFCAS's remaining projects.

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