January 8, 2008

Ottawa must do further studies on how rising sea levels will affect P.E.I.: Downe
WAYNE THIBODEAU
The Guardian

A Prince Edward Island senator is urging Ottawa to do more research on the impacts of rising sea levels in Prince Edward Island.
Senator Percy Downe says the last study, entitled Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise on Prince Edward Island, was done in June 2001. That report indicated the province would be directly affected by flooding in Charlottetown and other areas of the Island.
“The importance of up-to-date research on this issue cannot be understated,” Downe said Monday.
“The potential impacts of rising sea levels and climate change on Prince Edward Island are not only important for those residing in low-lying areas, but it is also expected that climate change will have a drastic impact on many of the province’s vital economic sectors. Fisheries, agriculture and tourism will most certainly be negatively affected by climate change.”
The 2001 report raised alarm bells across Prince Edward Island. It said storm surges were going to become more frequent and more violent.
The 1,000-page report said sea levels in Charlottetown may rise by close to three-quarters of a metre over the next 100 years, nearly double the rate recorded since the early 1900s.
It also predicted erosion rates along the north shore of Prince Edward Island would double by 2100.

The rest of the article is available here at:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=95831&sc=98