2001/17 (a)

BACKGROUNDER

CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH / SCIENCE, IMPACTS AND ADAPTATIONS NORTHERN PROJECTS

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Northern Climate Change School Pilot Program (Whitehorse, YT - throughout the three territories)

The Northern Climate Change School Pilot Program will create a climate change program specific to the north for elementary and secondary schools in the three territories. The program will incorporate local and cultural values and will include experience-based projects (such as collecting climate data or interviewing elders), a learning resources package for educators, community awareness presentations and the construction of a website to facilitate communication among students across the north.

Proponent: Northern Climate ExChange
Total Budget: $134,600
CCAF Contribution: $50,000
Sponsors/Partners: The three Territorial Departments of Renewable Resources and of Education, participating schools, Environment Canada, Municipal Councils, Yukon college Native Teachers Education Program (YNTEP), Council of Yukon First Nations,Yukon Educational Theatre, Innovators in the Schools Program - Yukon.
Contact: Wendy Avis, EC (604) 664-9178

Coastal Impacts of Climate Change at Tuktoyaktuk and the Pingo Canadian Landmark - Development of an Interpretative Display to Raise Public Awareness (Tuktoyaktuk, NT)

The Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk will construct a series of panels which describe the process of erosion on the Beaufort Sea coast, the history of erosion at the Tuktoyaktuk and the Pingo Canadian Landmark 4km to the south, and the effects of changing climate. Information compiled will be incorporated into the Hamlet website and the GSC Coastweb. This project will raise awareness among local businesses and community, the general public, and international audiences, including tourists, on how climate change has affected and will impact one of the most vulnerable coastlines in Canada.

Proponent: The Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk (NWT)
Total Budget: $18,000
CCAF Contribution: $6,500
Sponsors / Partners: Environment Canada, NRCan, DFO
Contact: Beth Lavender, NRCan (613) 992-1755

SCIENCE, IMPACTS AND ADAPTATIONS

Mapping Permafrost Degradation (Yukon Territory, Nunavut Territory)

This study will use existing data sets to evaluate recent trends in terrain instability on Herschel Island and Ellesmere Island, and relate these trends to variations in climate. Researchers will explore the possibility of using satellite radar images to map regions at risk.

Total Budget: $162,710
CCAF contribution: $86,710
Partners: McGill University, Natural Resources Canada
Contact: Wayne Pollard, McGill University (514) 398-4454

Recent and Future Warming in Northern Peatlands (Northwest Territories)

Researchers will examine the impacts of recent warming upon permafrost stability in peatlands of the upper Mackenzie Valley. More specifically, air photos dated back to the 1940s will be used to examine the changes in permafrost distribution in five selected areas. Researchers will use these data to predict the type and magnitude of thaw that may take place due to recent warming.

Total Budget: $45,000
CCAF contribution: $20,000
Partner: Natural Resources Canada
Contact: Stephen Robinson, Natural Resources Canada (613) 992-1658

Impact of Climate Change on the Peat Bogs of Northern Quebec (Quebec)

This project investigates the response to climate warming of selected peat ecosystems in the Rupert River drainage basin. Using geomatics tools, researchers will synthesize databases about the surface and depth of four bogs, two of which developed on loose deposits and two on bedrock. Using a unique approach, the project aims to integrate, in three dimensions, data about topography, stratigraphy, geochemistry, geology and forest dieback.

Total Budget: $164,500
CCAF contribution: $96,500
Partners: Institut national de la recherche scientifique-Eau, University of Waterloo, Ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec, Hydro-Québec, IC-ASC
Contact: Michelle Garneau, INRS-Géoressources (418) 654-2674

Impacts on Ringed Seal Distribution (Nunavut Territory)

This study will investigate the impacts of climate change on ringed seal habitat. Researchers will summarize climate variables and compare historical satellite images. From these data, they will be able to make predictions about changes in the quality of the ringed seals' habitat.

Total Budget: $110,000
CCAF contribution: $50,000
Partners: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, University of Manitoba
Contact: Robert Stewart, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (204) 983-5023

Prehistoric Adaptation in the Western Canadian Arctic (Northwest Territories)

This project will study the response of humans and animals in Arctic prehistory. It will establish a radiocarbon time series of the frequency of dwelling features for four areas on western Victoria Island. This study will form the basis of a broader regional analysis in the next decade.

Total Budget: $158,500
CCAF Contribution: $60,000
Partners: McGill University, Natural Resources Canada
Contact: James Savelle, McGill University (514) 398-7476

Climate Change and Public Health in Nunavik and Labrador: What we know from Science and Traditional Knowledge (Quebec and Labrador)

This project aims to support Northern public health, environment and economic decision makers in developing a better understanding of climate change processes and potential health impacts on the people of Nunavik and Labrador. Western scientific and traditional Inuit knowledge will be collected and synthesized in a balanced and accessible manner, to be used to identify and develop potential strategies to respond and adapt to short — and long term — climate changes.

Total Budget: $190,560
CCAF Contribution: $96,360
Partners: Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec , Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Université Laval, Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Labrador Inuit Association and Labrador Inuit Health Commission
Contact: Pierre Gosselin, Centre Hospitalier universitaire de Québec (CHUQ) (418) 666-7000 ext. 468, pgosselin@cspq.qc.ca

For more information, contact:

Pat Breton
Press Secretary
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-2007

For more information on other Science, Impacts and Adaptation and Public Education and Outreach projects in the North please visit www.climatechange.gc.ca.