The creation of the Great Lakes Adaptive Management (GLAM) committee
Step 5 of the CRIDA methodology is the institutionalization of the decisions following the recommended adaptation pathway. The GLAM committee exemplifies the institutionalization of climate adaptation plans in the CRIDA manual.
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The last step of the CRIDA methodology, step 5, is the institutionalization of decisions. In this step stakeholders are actively engaged in implementing adaptation pathways. The GLAM committee is the result of a successful example of this step.
Outcomes
Two major U.S.-Canadian studies—the International Lake Ontario–St. Lawrence River Study (2006) and the International Upper Great Lakes Study (2012)—guided the International Joint Commission (IJC) in advising on long-term management of the Great Lakes. Their recommendations included improved lake outflow regulation, infrastructure investments, and adaptive management strategies to address climate uncertainty. Despite significant efforts to improve data and models, large uncertainties remained, especially in hydrological parameters. To address this, the Great Lakes Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee was formed to provide information on the impacts of management decisions on water levels, boundary flows, and stakeholder interests, supported by ongoing monitoring and modeling. The GLAM operates above the responsible parties in both countries.