Environment Department
The Environment Department at ITK is dedicated to protecting and advancing the place of Canada's Inuit in the use and management of the Arctic environment and its resources. Despite the considerable changes that have occurred in our society over the past 50 years, the relationship between Inuit and the land continues to be a fundamental element of Inuit culture and identity. ITK is dedicated to ensuring that the Arctic environment and its resources are protected and managed properly. ITK communicates regularly with the appropriate departments of the regional Inuit organizations to keep them informed of national and international initiatives while seeking direction from them when ITK is developing a plan of action.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Environment Bulletin
Beginning in 2005, the Environment Department is communicating pressing environmental issues in thematic bulletins. Each bulletin number is addressing a specific topic, covering different environmental aspects of the Canadian Arctic. The timing of each publication is varying due to the effort to address specific issues and topics at a time when they appear most pressing for Inuit.
Please keep coming back to check for our newest publications.
Environment Bulletin No. 1 “Climate Change and Energy”
Climate change is real. Scientists and politicians finally agree that the planet’s weather patterns are changing. Although climate change can occur naturally, it is clear that humans have had a dramatic impact on our climate through industrial activities that pump greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
Our global reliance on fossil fuels as energy supplies plays a very large part in the problem of climate change. This premiere issue of the Environment Bulletin focuses on these closely related issues of climate change and energy.
Environment Bulletin No. 2 “Climate Change”
In this second issue of the ITK Environment Bulletin, we examine climate change and its impacts on the economy, ecology and people of the Arctic. Articles address a variety of topics such as the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, the link between the environment and the economy, community projects on renewable energies, sustainability and airships.
Environment Bulletin No. 3 “Freshwater in Inuit Communities”
Issue number three of the ITK Environment Bulletin looks at the natural and human-induced impacts on Arctic fresh water and examines some practical options for protecting and preserving this valuable resource. Information items range from research projects on drinking water quality in Nunavik over the economics of water to waste water management. This issue also includes an extensive section on activities at the ITK Environment Department.
Environment Bulletin No. 4 “Nuclear Fuel Waste Dialogue”
Bulletin number four reports on the national Inuit-specific dialogue on the long-term management of nuclear fuel waste in Canada. This issue informs on current Canadian practices of nuclear fuel waste management and offers perspectives on the issue coming from individuals as well as regional workshops held in Inuit regions.
Environment Bulletin No. 5 “Energy in Inuit Communities”
This fifth edition of the Environment Bulletin is chock full of information on energy. But that’s not all. You’ll also be treated to a summary of a recent workshop on climate change and the event that featured the release of Unikkaaqatagiit — Putting the Human Face on Climate Change: Perspectives from Inuit in Canada. This book, the final product of the Unikkaaqatagiit project, was produced by ITK. We were proud to be one of the many partners involved in this two-year project.
Please check back soon as Environment Bulletin, No. 5 will be posted shortly.