Mimi, who serves as the Wetlands and Water Coordinator at the EAC, brought her expertise and passion to the conversation, highlighting both the science and the stories behind the province’s changing coastline.
Coastal Climate Change: A Local and Urgent Issue
Nova Scotia has over 13,000 km of coastline, making it especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Mimi explained how the province is experiencing the highest rate of relative sea level rise in Canada — not only because global sea levels are rising, but because the land itself is slowly sinking due to post-glacial rebound.
Residents across the province are already seeing the effects. From storm surges swallowing sandy beaches to shorelines eroding year by year, coastal change is no longer a future concern — it’s happening now.
The Coastal Protection Act: What Happened and Why It Matters
A key part of Mimi’s presentation was the story of the Coastal Protection Act (CPA), a first-of-its-kind piece of legislation designed to:
Protect sensitive coastal ecosystems
Prevent inappropriate development in high-risk areas
Promote smart, science-based climate adaptation
The CPA received full-party support and royal assent in 2019, but to date, it has not been proclaimed. In early 2024, the provincial government announced it would not move forward with implementing the CPA, opting instead for a three-year plan that places more responsibility on municipalities and individual landowners.
Mimi walked us through the broad public backlash to this decision, highlighting widespread support for the CPA from citizens, municipalities, and even many who voted for the current government. The Ecology Action Centre and partners across the province continue to advocate for meaningful coastal legislation that protects people, property, and ecosystems.
What Can We Do?
Mimi closed with a call to action for everyone:
Talk to your MLA and municipal councillor about the importance of coastal protection.
Support grassroots organizations and community groups working on environmental issues.
Share your story — whether it’s erosion in your own backyard or a change you’ve observed in your community.
Stay informed and help keep the conversation going.
“This is a really important issue. And this isn't just for us in this present moment, but it's also for future generations.” — Mimi, Ecology Action Centre
🎥 Watch the Recording
If you missed the webinar or want to revisit the conversation, you can watch the full recording here:
🔗 https://youtu.be/Rnm7FOje-XY
