New P.E.I. climate risk map predicts future coastal erosion and flooding 

A new interactive map created by a UPEI climate scientist allows users to explore the likely future impacts of climate change on the Island's coastline, as well as inland.

The P.E.I. Climate Hazard & Risk Information System, or CHRIS, is part of a larger climate adaptation project by the provincial government, in partnership with UPEI and the federal government. 

Peter Nishimura, manager of climate adaptation for the P.E.I. Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, said the province already had an online mapping platform for the Island for several years.

He said the previous software — the Coastal Hazards Information Platform (CHIP) — shows flood and erosion vulnerability.

But the newly released CHRIS tool adds important new features, including flood maps with water depth predictions, and rates of coastal erosion.

"We've started to move beyond just coastal hazards into inland hazards — what we call pluvial flood maps — that show the extent of of flooding due to heavy rainfall," Nishimura explained. "And it's also going to give us an opportunity to expand on other areas of climate hazards."

Nishimura hopes CHRIS will be especially useful to First Nations and municipalities in making decisions about development, where to plan and build infrastructure, and how it could be designed. 

He said it would also be valuable for other Island residents, both homeowners and tenants, looking for information about how vulnerable their area is to flooding. And it could be of interest to home buyers as well.

"We have a lot of people coming to P.E.I. who might be new to the area," Nishimura said. "They're looking for information about what hazards might be present.

"This way they can make an informed decision around where they might want to buy or build."

The CHRIS tool includes a disclaimer against any liability claims from anyone using the program.

Nishimura said the software should be seen as "a piece of the puzzle" helping Islanders learn about climate hazards and risks.

"One of the climate hazards that I think people are becoming more familiar with now is flooding due to heavy rainfall,"  he explained. "These maps will show people where that rainfall tends to collect.

"I think it can inform property owners with regard to their risk."