When it comes to dealing with climate change, the North does not have the luxury of time, Nunavut's climate change co-ordinator told a workshop in Iqaluit Wednesday.
Although southern Canada is just beginning to think about preparing for climate change, the North is already living with its impacts, Jackie Bourgeois told about 40 people attending the workshop organized by the territory.
The North is already living with the impacts of climate change, a workshop was told this week.
(Bob Weber/Canadian Press)
She agreed with Inuit participants who said there needs to be less talk and more action on the issue.
"We need to do something now," Bourgeois said. "There are communities here that are already adapting, with very minimal resources, so it's a challenge now for them."
The workshop is providing ideas on energy efficiency, buildings methods adapted to melting permafrost and community development plans to deal with the changes.
Bourgeois said the government wants to work with some of the higher-risk communities such as Hall Beach, which is suffering from erosion caused by climate change.
More boats, fewer snowmobiles needed
Researcher James Ford said the shrinking ice means hunters are going to need boats that are more expensive than the snowmobiles they now use.
"One of things I've been arguing for is money to be put aside to help hunters pay for the extra gas costs, to buy boats so they can actually go hunting and take advantage of some of these changes," he said.
Ford also said since climate change is making it more dangerous to go out on the land, more camps for young people to learn from the elders are needed.
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