Canada Joins Arctic Nations in Statement on Climate Change in the Arctic

MONTREAL, December 9, 2005 - Canada today joined member and observer nations of the Arctic Council to present a statement on climate change in the Arctic region to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal.

The statement draws the attention of the global community to the fact that the Arctic is now experiencing some of the most rapid and severe climate change on Earth. Arctic communities and indigenous peoples are facing social, economic and cultural challenges. Arctic wildlife and biodiversity are also threatened by changes to their environment.

In Canada’s Arctic, the winters are growing milder, summers hotter and more severe; the polar ice cap is melting, and the permafrost is thawing, which releases additional greenhouse gases and accelerates climate change. Canada joined together with other northern nations of the Arctic Council for this important statement to encourage countries to strongly consider the Arctic region in their efforts to take action on climate change.

This marks the first time an Arctic nation has hosted the Conference of the Parties and is the first time focused attention has been given to the impacts of climate change on the Arctic region.

Canada is hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference and the first meeting of the Parties of the Kyoto Protocol. This conference is designed to help build discussions on moving forward on climate change with all nations and all peoples for an effective, more inclusive, long-term international approach to climate change.

For more information on how Canada is taking action in the Arctic, please visit:

• Canada and the Circumpolar World: www.circumpolar.gc.ca
• Aboriginal and Northern Community Action Program: www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/clc/
• Northern Ecosystems Initiative: www.pnr-rpn.ec.gc.ca/nature/ecosystems/nei-ien/index.en.html
• International Polar Year: www.ipy-api.ca

Related Document:

• Statement on Climate Change in the Arctic Region [2005-12-09] Statement

For more information, please contact:

Sébastien Bois
Media Relations
Environment Canada
(819) 953-4016