Climate Change Adaptation – Today’s Reality in Canada’s Arctic
Vancouver, BC - The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), in partnership with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and with participation from the Climate Change Coordinator with the Department of Environment, the Government of Nunavut, undertook a six-month pilot project to develop Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans with Arctic communities already experiencing significant localized impacts of climate change. The Action Plans are based on local and scientific knowledge and are intended to inform the Nunavut Climate Change Adaptation Plan being developed by the Government of Nunavut.
One of Hemmera’s registered professional planners was selected from across Canada to participate in this project. In the fall of 2007, Hemmera travelled to the small Inuit community of Hall Beach, Nunavut (population~650) located north of the Arctic Circle. Hemmera, with project partner Compass Resource Management, met with the community, Hamlet Council, and members of the Hunters and Trappers Association (HTA) to document their observations and discuss mitigation strategies.
Local climate change impacts observed within the community were significant and included failing infrastructure, shoreline erosion, and potential drinking water contamination. Community members expressed concern regarding the climate change impacts to their livelihood of hunting and fishing due to changes in migration and unavailability of usual game, lack of ocean ice for travel to Baffin Island for hunting, and the change in weather resulting in unpredictable and increasingly severe storms while out on the land.
At the beginning of February 2008, Hemmera returned to Hall Beach to meet with the steering committee and to present the draft action plan, consisting of a compilation of actions and recommendations gathered in community consultation. The community, following review of the draft plan in a number of community sessions, provided firm support for the Hall Beach Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan. Upon ratification of the Hall Beach Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan to local council, in early spring the plan was then presented to the CIP, NRCan and the Government on Nunavut.
In July 2008, the Chair of the local Steering Committee joined Hemmera in Iqaluit at the Climate Change Adaptation conference (hosted by CIP, NRCan and, the Government of Nunavut) to present on the Hall Beach Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan. Three year project funding is currently being evaluated to ensure the climate change adaptation action plans are realized at the local level. Hemmera looks forward to the opportunity to continue working with the Hall Beach community in the implementation of the plan and hopes to mentor other registered professional planners in other Arctic communities in creating their own action plans.
For more information please contact:
Brian Yates, MPA, R.P.Bio., Business Leader, Planning and Management, byates@hemmera.com
HEMMERA http://www.hemmera.com/
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Hall Beach Plans for Climate Change
Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, February 11, 2008
HALL BEACH - A four-day conference was held in Hall Beach earlier this month by a Vancouver-based environmental consulting firm to discuss how the community can address the effects of climate change.
Paul Haulli, former Hall Beach mayor and current recreation co-ordinator, said there was a large turnout of residents of all ages to the meetings with the company Hemmera, including youth, elders and hunters.
"The local people are noticing the climate is changing," said Haulli. "Not rapidly, but slowly."
He said most residents that attended spoke of their concerns and that Hemmera representatives took all comments seriously.
One notable change is the wind direction, which some spoke of as a concern.
Abraham Qammaniq, a board member of the Hunters and Trappers Association, said there is concern from residents who have seen the depth of the permafrost decreasing as well as the ocean levels rising.
Qammaniq said people are also concerned about safety. "Another concern is to be safe on ice when travelling between communities," said Qammaniq. He said the community began taking steps against climate change last summer.
A committee of Hall Beach residents has been formed to further the project. He said steps such as putting a stop to building on beach lots are being considered as measures against climate change problems like erosion.
