Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is an independent body with the main role of informing CLIMAtlantic on the needs, trends, and emerging climate issues facing Atlantic Canadians so that CLIMAtlantic can tailor their programs and services to best assist all users and decision makers.
Dr. Xander Wang
UPEI
Dr. Wang is an Associate Professor in the School of Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island and he has over 10 years of research experience in high-resolution climate projection and flood modelling.
Dr. David Burton
Dalhousie University
Dr. David Burton is a soil scientist at Dalhousie University studying opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and how soil management can increase the resiliency of agriculture to climate change.
Ashlee Cunsolo
MUN, Labrador Institute
Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo is the Founding Dean of the School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies of the Labrador Institute of Memorial University and a health geographer who works at the intersection of climate change and health, particularly mental health, ecological grief and anxiety, and intangible losses and damages.
Charles Bourque
UNB
Dr. Charles P.-A. Bourque is Professor of Hydrometeorology, Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick.
Joel Finnis
MUN
Dr. Joel Finnis is an atmospheric scientist with Memorial University, Department of Geography. His research addresses climate dynamics, climate adaptation, and communication of weather/climate risk.
Patricia Manuel
Dalhousie University
Dr. Patricia Manuel is Professor of Planning in the School of Planning at Dalhousie University. She teaches and conducts applied research in environmental and community planning, specifically watersheds, coasts, climate change adaptation, social vulnerability analysis, and marine spatial planning.
Garrett Mombourquette
Parks Canada
Garrett Mombourquette is a Climate Change Specialist in Prince Edward Island National Park, where his work focuses on building climate resilience while transitioning to net-zero carbon.
John Sommerville
NRCan (in Halifax)
John Sommerville is a Policy Analyst with Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division. He is the lead analyst for Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform’s Coastal Management and Mining Working Groups and supports nature-based adaptation initiatives across the Platform.
Mitch Downton
Atlantic Policy Congress
Mitch Downton is a Policy Analyst for Climate Change with the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat – he works to connect Atlantic First Nations communities with climate change adaptation initiatives and oversees climate research projects to benefit community members.
Debbie Nielson
Federation of Nova Scotia Municipalities
Debbie Nielsen is the Infrastructure & Sustainability Officer for the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM). She provides asset management and sustainability resources and support for Nova Scotia’s municipalities. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Design in Environmental Planning.
Kathleen Parewick
Municipalities N&L
Dr. Parewick is a community planner and facilitator who supports MNL’s extensive municipal advocacy, policy and practice-related efforts through research, content development, engagement and education activities for the organization’s 275 member communities.
Erin Burbridge
Clean Foundation
Erin Burbridge is the Director of Programs and Policy at Clean Foundation and oversees programs relating to coastal restoration and adaptation and low-carbon transportation.
Nancy Anningson
Halifax Regional Municipality
Nancy Anningson is the Climate Change Specialist – Adaptation, for the Environment & Climate Change, Halifax
Tim Murphy
New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN)
Tim Leblanc Murphy is Executive Director of the New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN), an organization that acts as secretariat for the NB Climate Change Adaptation Collaborative and is currently completing a multi-year BRACE project aimed at building capacity for the broad adoption of natural and nature-based infrastructure in adapting to climate change.
Vincent Leys
CBCL
Vincent Leys is a senior coastal engineer with the consulting firm CBCL, based in Halifax.
Will Balser
Ecology Action Centre
Will Balser is the Coastal Adaptation Coordinator with the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, NS