The Adaptation and Impacts Research Section (AIRS) is part of the Climate Research Division of the Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate (ASTD), within the Science and Technology Branch of Environment Canada. Established in April 1994, AIRS is among a select few government agencies specializing in climate change and variability impacts and adaptation research.
The University of Waterloo AIRS office, in the Faculty of Environment, is one of seven research nodes in Canada. In 1997, AIRS entered into an innovative research partnership with the faculty to advance Canadian's knowledge of the social, economic and environmental risks, impacts and vulnerabilities associated with climate variability and change, and to explore viable adaptation strategies.
AIRS currently has staff at the following locations: MSC Headquarters in Downsview, Ontario; the Centre for Environment at the University of Toronto; the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia; the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick; and Ouranos in Montreal, Quebec.
AIRS has extensive national and international experience in the field of climate change research. AIRS was the first to conduct integrated climate change impact assessments in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and Mackenzie Basins, and to undertake a national assessment Canada Country Study). Internationally, members of AIRS have contributed to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Scientific Assessments for the United Nations, and provided expert advice to the International Joint Commission and the Arctic Science Committee.
