The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) is a landmark agreement between Canada and the United States signed in 1972 to protect the shared water resources of the Great Lakes. The agreement has been updated several times, with the most recent update in 2012. One of the major challenges facing the Great Lakes region today is climate change, and the GLWQA is playing an important role in addressing this issue.
Climate change is affecting the Great Lakes in many ways, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and lake levels. These changes can impact water quality in several ways, including changes in nutrient levels, algae blooms, and invasive species.
The GLWQA has several provisions that address climate change. For example, the agreement requires both Canada and the United States to develop and implement programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main driver of climate change. The agreement also requires both countries to assess the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes and to develop adaptation strategies to address these impacts.
In addition, the GLWQA has specific provisions related to water quality and climate change. One of these provisions is the development of binational phosphorus reduction targets to address the issue of harmful algal blooms. Phosphorus is a nutrient that fuels the growth of algae, and harmful algal blooms can have serious impacts on water quality, including the production of toxins that can harm human health and wildlife.
Another provision of the GLWQA related to water quality and climate change is the development of a binational climate change adaptation strategy. This strategy is intended to help both countries prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes, including impacts on water quality.
Overall, the GLWQA is an important tool for addressing the challenge of climate change in the Great Lakes region. Through its provisions related to greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation strategies, and water quality, the agreement is helping to protect the shared water resources of the Great Lakes for future generations.
