ABSTRACT
There is strong evidence that the Canadian Arctic, like other circumpolar regions, is experiencing changes in its climate (e.g. McBean 2005, Bonsal and Prowse, 2006; Ouranos 2005; Huntington and Fox, 2005). Over the past 30 to 50 years the western and central Canadian Arctic have warmed, especially during winter months, by approximately 2-3°C (Weller, 2005). During the same period, the eastern Canadian Arctic cooled but has since
followed this warming trend as well. Local aboriginal people have reported significant warming throughout the Arctic in recent decades, further strengthening these scientific findings (e.g. Huntington and Fox, 2005; Nickels et al., 2006). According to both scientists and local residents these changes are resulting in significant impacts for the Arctic ecosystem. Observations of such things as decreases in the extent and thickness of winter sea ice throughout the Canadian Arctic, melting and destabilization of permafrost, increased coastal erosion in low lying areas, and shifts in the distribution and migratory behaviour of some Arctic wildlife species exist. The implications of these changes in the Arctic environment, where a significant number of people still rely on the ecosystem for aspects of their physical, socio-cultural, mental and economic well-being are far-reaching. For these reasons, Canadian Arctic, and other circumpolar populations have been identified as some of the potentially most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change (Furgal and Seguin, 2006). The information presented in this chapter in support of this argument is drawn from material developed for two recent Canadian national climate impacts and adaptation assessments, as well as recent scientific literature on the topic.
