Federal S&T Map and the Environment
In the Environment domain, federally led science
and technology (S&T) is committed to protecting
Canada’s animal and plant life, improving air and
water quality, regulating pollution, and preparing for
environmental risks and climate change.
Mission Statement
To increase Canadians’ ability to interact
in sustainable and safe ways with their
environment.
Goals
S&T in the Environment domain ensures
• Canadians’ health and well-being is
enhanced by safe, healthy, and clean
environments;
• Canadians have the information they need to
make informed decisions about how to treat
the environment;
• Canada’s natural environment is conserved
and biological resources are used in a
sustainable manner; and
• Canada’s environmental sustainability
enables long-term competitiveness.
Themes
To help restore, protect, and enhance Canada’s ecosystems,
federal S&T is studying the human impact on Canada’s
biodiversity, identifying vulnerable ecosystems, and advising
on the sustainable use and management of our natural
resources. Research, surveillance, and monitoring provide the
scientific basis for the conservation and protection of
domesticated and wild plants and animals. Researchers also
study ocean circulation and temperature shifts.
Federally led S&T assesses and protects Canadians from the
effects of pollution, waste, and other harmful substances, and
improves environmental quality, concentrating on air, water,
and soil. It monitors air pollution to understand and moderate
its effects on air quality, and is developing technologies to
reduce emissions. Federal S&T enhances water quality for
aquatic life, aquaculture, fishery uses, and ecosystem needs.
Scientists also develop guidelines to manage soil pollutants,
evaluate fertilizers and other soil additives, and reduce toxic
wastes. Research is also conducted to find ways of cleaning
up contaminated sites and to understand and mitigate the
effects of chemicals on the environment.
Climate change research is aimed at developing a better
understanding of why climate change occurs, what effects it
has or may have, and how to moderate, mitigate, and adapt
to its effects. Understanding ocean and climate processes
leads to better management of the impact of climate change.
Federal S&T is developing technologies to decrease, remove,
and sequester greenhouse gases. Federal research is also
committed to understanding changes in land-use patterns and
the effects of invasive species as a result of climate change.
Federal S&T activities focus on understanding and forecasting
environmental risks such as those posed by storms,
tsunamis, and floods. Research is helping to improve the
scope and quality of weather forecasting. The risks on
humans from animal diseases are also being studied, and
other animal interactions with the environment.
For further information, please contact the Federal S&T Community
Secretariat at st_secretariat@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.