J. Thorburn

The Arctic is experiencing significant changes in environmental conditions; for example, reduced sea-ice, permafrost thaw, and rising sea levels. These changes, alongside rapid social, economic, and political transformation, are posing significant challenges to the culture, livelihood and health of Northerners. Governments, communities, industries and individuals facing these changes need access to scientific information to better prepare for the impacts of change.

The Network of Arctic scientists known as ArcticNet has been studying the impacts of climate change in the coastal Canadian Arctic for almost a decade. The central objective of ArcticNet is to contribute to the development and dissemination of the knowledge needed to formulate adaptation strategies and national policies to help Canadians face the impacts and opportunities of climate change and modernization in the Arctic. For this purpose, ArcticNet is developing Impact Assessments for each of the main regions of the coastal Canadian Arctic (Western and Central Arctic, Eastern Arctic, Hudson Bay, and Eastern Subarctic regions).

Led by Trevor Bell and Philippe LeBlanc from the Geography Department at Memorial, and supported by a regional Steering Committee, the Eastern Arctic team is composed of ArcticNet scientists, Inuit organizations and local government representatives working together to prepare a Regional Impact Assessment that draws on scientific and Inuit knowledge to inform regional issues. The Assessment’s key findings and conclusions will convey an integrated vision of the impacts of climate change and modernization on the Eastern Canadian Arctic.

To facilitate consultation and help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and local action a Regional Science Meeting (RSM) was held recently in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The intent of the meeting was to bring together lead authors of the Eastern Arctic Regional Impact Assessment to share and present their draft chapters to a wide range of decision-makers for feedback and discussion. More than 100 regional decision-makers and experts from 21 organizations contributed to the discussions. The comments and feedback received during the RSM will help make the report more effective and useful for the region. The meeting was organized around daily workshops focused on key regional issues, which also form the structure of the report: 1) Public Health and Safety, 2) Resource Management, and 3) Socio-economic Development.  The Regional Impact Assessment will be ready for publication early in 2014.