CLARS Lead PI Dr. Gail Krantzberg studies climate change resilience and the critical role of climate-ready communities

A new study led by Dr. Gail Krantzberg, Dr. Carolyn Johns, and Dr. Amanda Shankland addresses the growing challenges communities face as climate change disrupts water systems worldwide. The research focuses on the vital connection between community resilience and effective water governance.

The study highlights how climate change manifests through shifts in water availability, such as floods, droughts, and water quality degradation, impacting both local and transboundary communities. With over 150 countries affected by transboundary water systems, the researchers emphasize the importance of adaptable governance to foster resilience.

The project, known as the Climate Ready Communities and Transboundary Governance (CRTG) Cluster (part of the Global Centre for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters), aims to create governance models that integrate social science, Indigenous knowledge, and hydroclimate science. Their goal is to understand how diverse governance structures can be tailored to enhance resilience at the community level, helping these communities better address climate change-related water challenges.

The CRTG has developed the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) framework, which includes indicators related to Indigenous knowledge, ecological resilience, and governance structures. This framework is being used globally to assess and enhance community preparedness in tackling water governance challenges linked to climate change.

Through a combination of case studies, comparative analyses, and community-based research, the CRTG seeks to develop effective governance solutions that consider local and global contexts. Their work will be presented in upcoming scholarly and community forums, offering new insights into climate-ready water governance.

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