Adaptation and Impacts Research Section (AIRS)

FEBRUARY 2012 UPDATE

The Centre for Environment and its predecessor, the Institute for Environmental Studies, has had an enriching research partnership with the Adaptation and Impacts Research Section (AIRS) since 1995.  Regretfully, this partnership ended in December 2011.  Dr. Bass and his U of T students will wrap up current projects by April 2012. 

Part of the Science and Technology Branch of Environment Canada, AIRS research efforts are directed towards understanding the impacts of a changing climate and developing impact models and tools on the risks and opportunities related to human and ecosystem health, human safety and Canada's long-term economic competitiveness.  A key element of the research agenda has been carried out through partnerships and collaborations, such as those with specific universities: British Columbia, Waterloo, and Toronto.
      AIRS' collaborative research at the Centre for Environment (CFE) focussed on simulating adaptation and developing educational curriculum using COBWEB (Complexity and Organized Behaviour Within Environmental Bounds), urban heat island visualization, infrastructure technologies such as green roofs and breathing walls and sectoral adaptation studies on energy at the community scale.  The Ontario node of the Canadian Climate Change Scenarios Network was also housed here.
      At U of T Scarborough, AIRS research focusses on regional climate reports, development of new tools that facilitate climate impact studies (Canadian Climate Change Scenarios Network, CCCSN), Rapid Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change (RAICC), applying existing tools for climate change adaptation studies (Cost-Effective Adaptation Options, CAO) and sectoral climate change impact and adaptation studies (energy, tourism, protected areas, engineering).    
      Both locations have engaged graduate and undergraduate students in ongoing research and educational initiatives. High school students were also able to participate in research at CFE through the Faculty of Arts and Science's Mentorship Program.  In 2010-11, Dr. Brad Bass (see below) completed secondary school curriculum on climate change adaptation that utilizes COBWEB and which will be disseminated by the Toronto District School Board.  High school students Sandra Dusolt, Mikaela Preston and Naima Raza, mentored by Dr. Bass, each won gold medals at the Canada-Wide Science Fair for their work on biofuels and water quality.  CFE and AIRS were also pleased to host Fulbright Specialist and green roof expert Dr. Jeff Licht. 
   

BRAD BASS
Researcher, Environment Canada
Office: Environment Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Downsview, Ontario, M3H 5T4. Tel:416-739-4588.   
Jan to April 2012 (one day per week): Centre for Environment, Room 1048B (5 Bancroft Ave. entrance). Tel: 416-978-6285. brad.bass@ec.gc.ca
Research Interests: Simulating adaptation with anticipatory/emergent computing, ecological engineering adaptations to atmospheric change (green walls, green roofs), community energy systems planning and adaptations to climate change, adaptation accounting, organizational structure and adaptation capacity, climate change visualization. 
Projects: adaptation studies using simulation platforms and models to study vector-borne disease and energy consumption, and the effectiveness of green roofs/walls in reducing energy consumption; to develop innovative views of the urban heat island and adaptations; and to design and evaluate different types of green infrastructure to maintain water quality and food supplies after severe weather events.