It is now widely recognized that Earth's climate is changing, and that the impacts of climate change will be felt across national borders, ecosystems and economic sectors in the decades ahead. Scientists have concluded that the balance of evidence suggests discernible human influence on global climate. In addressing climate change, governments need to make responsible decisions and take actions that are based on sound scientific knowledge.
Climate science is a complex and rapidly evolving field of investigation.
Scientists in Canada and around the world are engaged in a broad variety of endeavours to better understand Earth's climate. As well, scientific involvement in issues related to climate is becoming increasingly integrated with other issues. The data generated by computer models that project future climate conditions are used by researchers studying the potential impacts of climate change on areas such as water resources, health, food production, forestry, wildlife, and urban infrastructure. Our impacts researchers are increasingly working on projects that integrate the effects of climate change across sectors or regions to get a more realistic picture of what climate change will mean for Canadians. Science also has a role to play in guiding the strategies proposed to lessen the impacts.