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Working with China for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
On October 13, 1970 diplomatic ties were opened between Canada
and China due to special relationship developed by Prime Minister
Pierre Trudeau. President Huy Jintao's visit, in 2005, to discuss
the opportunities and challenges facing both countries with respect
to environment along with other items relating to Climate Change
and economics,
marks the 35th anniversary of this relationship.
Ties between Chinese and Canadian scientists were established
as early as March 10-14, 1985, when the Alberta Cold Weather
Science and Technology Research Mission from Canada visited Heilongjiang
China. Both parties agreed to exchange scientists and scholars
who would be involved in lecturing, pursuit of further studies
and joint research. Alberta agreed to accept Heilongjiang students
and technicians as well.
Further to the visit, a memorandum of agreement on exchange
and cooperation of science and technology between the Alberta
Research Council and the Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences (HAS)
was signed on May 21, 1985.
Between 1986 and 1992 twelve Chinese scientists worked at the
Alberta Research Council in the areas of biotechnology, resource
technologies, forest engineering research, coal and hydrocarbon
processing, manufacturing technologies and environmental research
and engineering. ARC scientists also visited the HAS as guest
lecturers.
Several cooperative research projects resulted from the exchange
and one of particular interest was the Territory Resource Information
system pilot project Bin County. The overall goals of the
project were to demonstrate how GIS (geographic information systems)
would be used to improve the quality of land planning and management
through the use of improved information handling and development
of a modelling system. Staff from the Natural Resources Institute,
HAS were trained in the use of GIS. Dr. Duncan Currie of the
Alberta Research Council, provided staff and the required hardware
and software to undertake the project. The equipment was also
used to facilitate further training at the Natural Resources
Institute.
This reciprocal relationship provided an excellent opportunity
for exchange of scientific and technical expertise for young
scientific researchers. As well the researchers had an opportunity
to gain insight into the historical and cultural makeup of Alberta,
perfect their language and communications skills with individuals
from diverse backgrounds and build long lasting friendships.
More recently, several meteorological and climate change specialists
from China have been working together with Don MacIvor and Heather
Auld of Environment Canada, Adaptation and Mitigation, to install
a carbon dioxide monitoring tower and deliver scientific papers
at joint conferences on a wide variety of climate change topics.
ACTIVITY 1
- When did Canada first establish diplomatic
ties with China? Which PM did this?
- When was one of the first scientist exchange
programs established? What was it?
- What are the current science exchanges
focusing on?
ACTIVITY 2 - Research:
- 1. What current joint programs in environmental
research are underway?
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