Source: Tourisme d'Affaires Website
Cliff erosion is a natural phenomenon that has always existed; it is precisely what has shaped Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine's archipelago. However, due to climate change, erosion has been getting worse in recent years, and the situation is starting to become critical. Some of the roads that once existed have disappeared completely, and residents have already been forced to move their homes to the more central part of the Islands. The territory is under threat, and it's important to make tourists aware of the need to visit responsibly. Let's take a closer look at the importance of this issue and possible solutions.
What accelerates cliff erosion?
As an archipelago surrounded by water, cliff erosion is certainly the most important ecological issue facing Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine today. The acceleration of erosion can be attributed to three factors.
Sea level rising
Rising temperatures cause glaciers to melt, raising sea levels. The water's contact with cliffs accelerates their erosion, submerging land closer to sea level.
Glaciers reducing
Melting glaciers and warmer temperatures mean that water freezes later in winter than it used to. The presence of ice on the coast blocks the sea, and without it, the water flows directly onto the coast, digging into the rock.
Storms increasing
The Islands' geographical location makes them a very windy region. Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and strength of storms and hurricanes heading north. Without ice to block the water, it can rise very high during storms, eroding coastlines and increasing the risk of land flooding.
Source: Le Devoir, article "La crise climatique imposera "des choix difficiles" aux îles de la Madeleine", January 2024
Tough choices
According to the mayor of Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Antonin Valiquette, the climate crisis will force us to make difficult choices, and despite our best efforts, it will not be possible to protect the entire territory. Currently, the most important regions have been prioritized for action. The Cap-aux-Meules island, which is home to 60% of local services (hospital, government offices, etc.), and the historic site of La Grave, a popular tourist attraction located on particularly narrow and vulnerable terrain, are the main concerns.
Measures in place in the Islands to limit impacts
Adaptation
Widely used by municipalities in the fight against climate change, this method involves adapting to certain changes rather than fighting in vain to eradicate them completely. For the Islands, this means anticipating and preparing for storms, to avoid being caught unprepared.
Local organizations
Six years ago, over 60 local partners came together to plan the region's environmental strategy. They created a standing committee to fight erosion and discovered that, in many cases, the best strategy is to move inland. Hiking trails and observation points are being relocated, and new regulations and zoning have been put in place to protect soil stability and prohibit construction in at-risk areas. The organization Attention Fragîles is doing preventive work by maintaining the dunes and planting ammophilia, a grass that retains sand on the dunes and prevents breaches from forming.
Source: Université de Montréal Website
Quebec is inadequatly prepared for erosion
The Islands are currently conducting an initiative with the Quebec government to obtain the funding needed to carry out work on the most vulnerable sites. However, the process is long and complex. According to a report published last year by the Sustainable Development Commissioner, the ministries responsible for adapting to the consequences of coastal erosion and flooding are poorly managing the risks of this crucial challenge for Quebec in the context of global warming. Yet the Islands are not the only region of the province exposed to this issue, and according to the Plan for a Green Economy 2030, if no adaptation measures are put in place, more than 5,000 buildings and nearly 300 kilometers of roads could be exposed and suffer erosion damage by 2065.
Le Navigateur Millerand's contribution
Having taken over the business in 2023, we've only been part of the Islands' landscape for a short time, but we take the risks that loom over the territory due to cliff erosion very seriously. As young entrepreneurs, climate issues are very close to our hearts, because we want to leave a healthy planet to our children. We don't want to wait for the government to act, we want to be part of the effort and do our part. We want to use our voice and be part of the change, because we know that, even on a small scale, every effort counts.
Educate tourists
At Navigateur Millerand, we are committed to educating all visitors about the importance of climate issues and the conservation of our archipelago. As the Islands attract a large number of tourists during the summer, the wrong actions can have serious consequences on the territory, and it's crucial to inform tourists, hunters and ATV riders, among others, in a preventive manner.
Build local partnerships
We also intend to establish partnerships with other local businesses and associations to raise awareness among visitors, but also to help each other implement measures to protect our environment and help reduce cliff erosion.
Source: Bonjour Québec Website
We have many ideas for future projects to help reduce erosion and other problems caused by climate change. Many of them are still under discussion, but we'll keep you posted on their progress. Stay tuned and follow us for more details and to find out how you, too, can help conserve our magnificent territory. The land is under threat, and time is of the essence when it comes to visiting it. Come and discover the archipelago in a responsible way and contribute to change!
