Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Food Security in the Canadian Arctic

for example, has experienced a general warming of approximately 2–3°C over the past 30–50 years (Weller et al . 2005). This warming is more pronounced in winter months. It was not until the last 15 or so years that this same warming trend, although not to the same extent, has been observed in eastern regions of the Canadian Arctic. Observed impacts associated with these changes include a significant thinning of sea- and freshwater ice, a shortening of the winter ice season, reduction in snow cover, changes in wildlife and plant species’ distribution, melting permafrost, and increased coastal erosion of some shorelines (Cohen 1997; Huntington and Fox 2005; Ouranos 2004; Weller et al . 2005). According to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) designated climate models, the predictions are for increased warming and precipitation throughout the Canadian Arctic (ACIA 2005). Annual mean warming in the west is projected to range between 3 and 4°C and upwards of 7°C in winter months. Winter warming is expected to be greatest in the more centrally located areas of southern Baffin Island and Hudson Bay (3–9°C). A 30% increase in precipitation is Box 5. Assessing climate change in the Arctic The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) report released in 2005 was the first comprehensive review of climate change science for the Arctic. The key findings of ACIA included: Arctic climate is now warming rapidly and much larger changes are projected. Arctic warming and its consequences have worldwide implications. Arctic vegetation zones are projected to shift, bringing wide-ranging impacts. Animal species’ diversity, ranges, and distribution will change. Many coastal communities and facilities face increasing exposure to storms. Reduced sea ice is very likely to increase marine transport and access to resources. Thawing ground will disrupt transportation, buildings, and other infrastructure. Indigenous communities are facing major economic and cultural impacts. Elevated ultraviolet radiation levels will affect people, plants, and animals. Multiple influences interact to cause impacts to people and ecosystems (ACIA 2005). The more recent 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR4) concluded that warming of the climate is “unequivocal” and that most of the recent global warming is “very likely” due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC 2007). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

predicted by the end of the 21st century, with the greatest increases occurring in areas of greatest warming (Weller et al . 2005). The predicted impacts on the environment, regional economies, and people are far reaching. Recent research projects have begun to identify specific local vulnerabilities and the risk management measures/adaptation strategies that are already in place or that can be planned (e.g., Berkes and Jolly 2002; Ford et al . 2006; Nickels et al . 2002); however, very little attention has been given to health impacts and adaptations in this region to date. There is strong evidence that the Canadian Arctic, like other circumpolar regions, is already experiencing changes in its climate (Huntington et al . 2005; McBean et al . 2005; Ouranos 2005; Bonsal and Prowse 2006). According to the ACIA, over the past 30 to 50 years the western and central Canadian Arctic have experienced a general warming, most dramatically during winter months, of approximately 2–3°C (Weller et al . 2005). Although significant cooling (–1.0 to –1.5°C) was reported for the period of 1950–1998 for the extreme northeast regions, warming is Arctic climate change impact trends described in ACIA continue through the Arctic. While the science is improving for many of the systems studied, none of the trends noted in ACIA were found to have reversed. Change is occurring on all Arctic system levels, impacting both physical and biological systems, as well as human societies. For several key Arctic systems, especially Arctic sea ice and the Greenland Ice Sheet, recently observed changes are happening at rates significantly faster than predicted in previous assessments, including ACIA and IPCC AR4 (WWF 2008). 1. 2. 3. Box 6. Climate change in the Arctic – the view since ACIA Reports of the size and scope of ACIA and IPCC AR4 can hardly keep up with the science and new findings are continually being released, changing projections for the Arctic. An update of climate impact science since ACIA made three significant observations:

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IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD SECURITY IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC