Coastal erosion is a serious issue on Prince Edward Island. And climate change is making it a concern in locations around the globe.

Researchers at the University of Prince Edward Island (in partnership with colleagues at Simon Fraser University) have developed a tool to both track and predict coastal erosion and rising sea levels.

The Coastal Impact Visualization Environment (CLIVE) tool draws on P.E.I.’s archive of aerial photographs and the latest high-resolution digital elevation data. From that, the tool is able to develop models and images of future sea level scenarios.

The Partnership of Canadian-Caribbean Climate Change Adaptation, the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island, and the UPEI Climate Research Lab have funded the project, which began in 2013.

The first version, launched in February 2014, was focused on P.E.I. CLIVE version 2.0, now in development, will produce mapping and simulated coastal erosion and sea-level rise in locations such as New Brunswick, Hawaii, Bermuda and Lake Huron.

“By allowing citizens to view scientific data and explore climate change projections at any scale in their own neighborhood, we help them understand these often abstract phenomena at local, human scales,” says Adam Fenech, the director of UPEI’s Climate Research Lab. “We believe this is a way to connect all stakeholders to this mutual problem, enhancing awareness, education, dialogue, and collaborative problem-solving at all scales of society and government.”