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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings: Arctic Impacts Ecosystem
Dion's Speech Corell's Findings: Arctic Impacts Ecosystem
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
Good morning everyone.
Canada, as an Arctic nation, is proud to support 1 Arctic climate is now warming rapidly and much
the first Arctic Day. This is an opportunity to bring larger changes are projected.
the Arctic to this forum and highlight both
scientific, traditional knowledge and the culture
of Northern indigenous peoples.
Arctic Impacts ‐ Ecosystem
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
1 e) Unexpected and even larger shifts and
fluctuations in climate are also possible.
2 c) Warming is very likely to alter the release and
uptake of greenhouse gases from soils,
vegetation, and coastal oceans.
2 d) Impacts of arctic climate change will have
implications for biodiversity around the world
because migratory species depend on breeding
and feeding grounds in the Arctic.
Arctic vegetation zones are very likely to shift, 3 Arctic vegetation zones are very likely to shift,
causing wide‐ranging impacts. causing wide‐ranging impacts.
3 a) Treeline is expected to move northward and to
higher elevations, with forests replacing a
significant fraction of existing tundra, and tundra
vegetation moving into polar deserts.
3 b) More‐productive vegetation is likely to increase
carbon uptake, although reduced reflectivity of
the land surface is likely to outweigh this, causing
further warming.
Disturbances such as insect outbreaks and forest 3 c) Disturbances such as insect outbreaks and forest
fires are very likely to increase in frequency, fires are very likely to increase in frequency,
severity, and duration, facilitating invasions by severity, and duration, facilitating invasions by
non‐native species. non‐native species.
3 d) Where suitable soils are present, agriculture will
have the potential to expand northward due to a
longer and warmer growing season.
Animal species' diversity, ranges, and 4 Animal species' diversity, ranges, and
distribution will change. distribution will change.
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
Reductions in sea ice will drastically shrink 4 a) Reductions in sea ice will drastically shrink
marine habitat for polar bears, ice‐inhabiting marine habitat for polar bears, ice‐inhabiting
seals, and some seabirds, pushing some species seals, and some seabirds, pushing some species
toward extinction. toward extinction.
Arctic Impacts ‐ Peoples
The Arctic is not a laboratory, not only a place to
conduct expeditions; it is a place where people
live, with a rich culture that has evolved over
thousands of years.
Because of global warming, indigenous
communities are facing major economic and
cultural impacts.
MOVED UP
Many Indigenous Peoples depend on hunting 8 a) Many Indigenous Peoples depend on hunting
polar bear, walrus, seals, and caribou, herding polar bear, walrus, seals, and caribou, herding
reindeer, fishing, and gathering, not only for reindeer, fishing, and gathering, not only for
food and to support the local economy, but also food and to support the local economy, but also
as the basis for cultural and social identity. as the basis for cultural and social identity.
How is climate change affecting the peoples of
the North, threatening their livelihood and
cultural survival?
4 b) Caribou/reindeer and other land animals are likely
to be increasingly stressed as climate change
alters their access to food sources, breeding
grounds, and historic migration routes.
4 c) Species ranges are projected to shift northward
on both land and sea, bringing new species into
the Arctic while severely limiting some species
currently present.
4 d) As new species move in, animal diseases that can
be transmitted to humans, such as West Nile
virus, are likely to pose increasing health risks.
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
The reduction in sea ice will have serious 4 e) Some arctic marine fisheries, which are of global
consequences for polar bears, ice‐dependent importance as well as providing major
seals, and local people for whom these animals contributions to the region's economy, are likely
are a primary food source. to become more productive. Northern freshwater
fisheries that are mainstays of local diets are likely
to suffer.
Many coastal communities and facilities face 5 Many coastal communities and facilities face
increasing exposure to storms. increasing exposure to storms.
5 a) Severe coastal erosion will be a growing problem
as rising sea level and a reduction in sea ice allow
higher waves and storm surges to reach the
shore.
5 b) Along some arctic coastlines, thawing permafrost
weakens coastal lands, adding to their
vulnerability.
5 c) The risk of flooding in coastal wetlands is
projected to increase, with impacts on society and
natural ecosystems.
In some cases, communities and industrial 5 d) In some cases, communities and industrial
facilities in coastal zones are already threatened facilities in coastal zones are already threatened
or being forced to relocate, while others face or being forced to relocate, while others face
increasing risks and costs. increasing risks and costs.
6 Reduced sea ice is very likely to increase marine
transport and access to resources.
6 a) The continuing reduction of sea ice is very likely
to lengthen the navigation season and increase
marine access to the Arctic's natural resources.
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
6 b) Seasonal opening of the Northern Sea Route is
likely to make trans‐arctic shipping during
summer feasible within several decades.
Increasing ice movement in some channels of the
Northwest Passage could initially make shipping
more difficult.
6 c) Reduced sea ice is likely to allow increased
offshore extraction of oil and gas, although
increasing ice movement could hinder some
operations.
6 d) Sovereignty, security, and safety issues, as well as
social, cultural, and environmental concerns are
likely to arise as marine access increases.
Thawing ground will disrupt transportation, 7 Thawing ground will disrupt transportation,
buildings, and other infrastructure. buildings, and other infrastructure.
Transportation and industry on land, including 7 a) Transportation and industry on land, including
oil and gas extraction and forestry, will oil and gas extraction and forestry, will
increasingly be disrupted by the shortening of increasingly be disrupted by the shortening of
the periods during which ice roads and tundra the periods during which ice roads and tundra
are frozen sufficiently to permit travel. are frozen sufficiently to permit travel.
As frozen ground thaws, many existing buildings, 7 b) As frozen ground thaws, many existing buildings,
roads, pipelines, airports, and industrial facilities roads, pipelines, airports, and industrial facilities
are likely to be destabilized, requiring substantial are likely to be destabilized, requiring substantial
rebuilding, maintenance, and investment. rebuilding, maintenance, and investment.
Global Impacts
What is happening to the Arctic is a harbinger of
things to come in the rest of the world.
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Arctic warming and its consequences have 2 Arctic warming and its consequences have
worldwide implications. worldwide implications.
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
Melting of highly reflective arctic snow and ice 2 a) Melting of highly reflective arctic snow and ice
reveals darker land and ocean surfaces, reveals darker land and ocean surfaces,
increasing absorption of the sun's heat and increasing absorption of the sun's heat and
further warming the planet. further warming the planet.
Increases in glacial melt and river runoff add 2 b) Increases in glacial melt and river runoff add
more freshwater to the ocean, raising global sea more freshwater to the ocean, raising global sea
level and possibly slowing the ocean circulation level and possibly slowing the ocean circulation
that brings heat from the tropics to the poles, that brings heat from the tropics to the poles,
affecting global and regional climate. affecting global and regional climate.
We recognize the importance of the Arctic Council 7 c) Future development will require new design
in addressing the many common concerns and elements to account for ongoing warming that
challenges emerging from climate change and will add to construction and maintenance costs.
providing a forum for collective action on shared
priorities.
Not only does the Arctic Council engage Arctic 7 d) Permafrost degradation will also impact natural
nations, it also includes six Permanent ecosystems through collapsing of the ground
Participants that represent Northern indigenous surface, draining of lakes, wetland development,
peoples who actively bring their voice to the work and toppling of trees in susceptible areas.
of the Council. This inclusive process ensures that
steps forward to protect our shared Arctic will
integrate social, cultural, health and economic
components.
Last November, the Arctic Climate Impact 8 Indigenous communities are facing major
Assessment was received at the fourth Arctic economic and cultural impacts.
Council Ministerial meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland.
This is the first climate assessment of the Arctic ‐
a result of four years of international efforts from
over 300 scientists, as well as traditional
knowledge of Northern Indigenous peoples.
The Assessment confirms what our own science 8 a) Many Indigenous Peoples depend on hunting
and the people of the Arctic have been telling us polar bear, walrus, seals, and caribou, herding
for many years: the Arctic is already experiencing reindeer, fishing, and gathering, not only for food
some of the most rapid and severe climate and to support the local economy, but also as the
change on earth. basis for cultural and social identity.
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
International Polar Year
We welcome the upcoming International Polar 8 b) Changes in species' ranges and availability, access
Year beginning in 2007', co‐sponsored by the to these species, a perceived reduction in
International Council for Science and the World weather predictability, and travel safety in
Meteorological Organization. changing ice and weather conditions present
serious challenges to human health and food
security, and possibly even the survival of some
cultures.
This is the first International Polar Year that 8 c) Indigenous knowledge and observations provide
includes a focus on the human, social and an important source of information about climate
economic dimensions of life in the North. change. This knowledge, consistent with
complementary information from scientific
research, indicates that substantial changes have
already occurred.
This year will enhance knowledge of Polar 9 Elevated ultraviolet radiation levels will affect
regions, encourage cooperative Arctic research, people, plants, and animals.
raise awareness of Arctic climate change issues
and create significant linkages to climate,
ecosystems and communities around the world.
Goals/Deliverables
The main goal is to carry out an innovative, 9 a) The stratospheric ozone layer over the Arctic is
interdisciplinary program for International Polar not expected to improve significantly for at least a
Year (IPY) along with our international partners. few decades, largely due to the effect of
greenhouse gases on stratospheric temperatures.
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the Arctic is thus
projected to remain elevated in the coming
decades.
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
As a key deliverable for International Polar Year, 9 b) As a result, the current generation of arctic young
the Government of Canada is supporting a people is likely to receive a lifetime dose of UV
targeted science and research program focused that is about 30% higher than any prior
on two of Canada's most important challenges for generation. Increased UV is known to cause skin
its northern regions ‐ climate change impacts and cancer, cataracts, and immune system disorders
adaptation, and the health and well‐being of in humans. Elevated UV can disrupt
northern communities. photosynthesis in plants and have detrimental
effects on the early life stages of fish and
amphibians.
9 c) Elevated UV can disrupt photosynthesis in plants
and have detrimental effects on the early life
stages of fish and amphibians.
Funds will be allocated to academic, government 9 d) Risks to some arctic ecosystems are likely as the
and community researchers through a largest increases in UV occur in spring, when
competitive, peer review process. With this sensitive species are most vulnerable, and
funding, Canada will be able to provide leadership warming‐related declines in snow and ice cover
internationally on projects in which Canadian increase exposure for living things normally
scientists have renowned expertise. protected by such cover.
It is also critical that the stories of the Arctic 10 Multiple influences interact to cause impacts to
indigenous peoples be heard. That is why people people and ecosystems.
from across the Arctic are here today ‐as
witnesses of the impacts of climate change and as
catalysts for action to slow that change in their
homelands.
I look forward to reading the Arctic Youth's Video 10 a) Changes in climate are occurring in the context of
Declaration, which I understand will be presented many other stresses including chemical pollution,
later today. I have heard that this video clearly overfishing, land use changes, habitat
underlines our responsibility to act now to ensure fragmentation, human population increases, and
the future for our children and childrens' children. cultural and economic changes.
It puts the human face on climate change and
inspires us, as leaders, to do more.
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Dion's Speech Corell's Findings
December 6, 2005 November 16, 2004
Bringing greater awareness of the sensitivity of 10 b) These multiple stresses can combine to amplify
climate change impacts to the Arctic is a key step impacts on human and ecosystem health and well‐
in accomplishing our common goal. being. In many cases, the total impact is greater
than the sum of its parts, such as the combined
impacts of contaminants, excess ultraviolet
radiation, and climatic warming.
I wish you great success on this extremely 10 c) Unique circumstances in arctic sub‐regions
important task. determine which are the most important stresses
and how they interact.
Thank you.
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