Across BC, 27 initiatives receiving $6.5 million in funding for environmental initiatives and UVic programs and research projects are receiving $555,000.
One new initiative being introduced is the Experimental Ocean Climate Change Lab (EXCEL) at UVic. This program is receiving $175,000 in seed money from the province to do a deep dive on the oceanic impacts of climate change.
EXCEL seeks to understand the resilience and sustainability of the marine sector by measuring the effects of climate change on different organisms.
They will analyze which of BC’s ecosystems are most vulnerable to promote flourishing biodiversity and keep fisheries open with high yields.
“Understanding the effects of climate change on our coast will help us better protect our fisheries and aquaculture, and the people who rely on them,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
“Our government supports this vital research, which will help secure fish and crustaceans as valuable food sources, boost productivity and contribute to the resilience of the province’s economy.”
Specifically, EXCEL will use experimental aquariums that can regulate temperature, oxygen levels and pH to recreate oceanic ecosystems in a controlled environment to predict the impacts of climate change.
The focus of these experiments will be to study species abundance, geographic shifts, food web models and biodiversity change.
“Supporting research by investing in laboratories helps drive innovation and strengthens learning opportunities for students,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
“Researching the effects of climate change on our coast is important to understand the potential impact on British Columbians, especially on those who depend on our aquaculture sector.”
The other UVic project getting funding is a rainfall and drought prediction project, which is receiving $380,000 in funding.
They are buying equipment to create accurate predictions for local environmental change which will better mitigation plans to address future climate-related challenges in BC.
