UPEI represented at UN Climate Change Conference in Morocco
Derek Ellis hoping to learn from other countries and bring ideas, solutions home to P.E.I.
A PhD student from P.E.I. is at the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco this week.
Conference participants are discussing ways to implement the Paris Agreement, intended to limit the global temperature rise.
But Derek Ellis of the UPEI Climate Lab said he's also looking forward to hearing international discussion on possible solutions to problems currently threatening P.E.I., such as coastal erosion.
"I really came here looking for innovative approaches that are being used elsewhere, and that have been proven elsewhere," said Ellis. "Just a number of new ideas that we could discuss at Climate Lab, discuss with our provincial government, and apply to our climate change adaptation plan in particular that's coming out next year."
Ideas being discussed include plans to strengthen riparian zones near waterways to make them more resilient to heavy rainfalls, which would also protect roads, said Ellis.
There hasn't been much talk about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, he said, despite Trump's belief that climate change isn't real.
Even with that uncertainty, Ellis felt everyone at the meetings hopes to move forward with the Paris Agreement.
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