L8- artic climate change

Question 1

what is the current and future warming

Answer 1

high latitudes warming is 4 times faster then global average

• people live here, its effecting communities of people unfairly

Question 2

what is arctic sea ice (sept minima)

Answer 2

arctic sea ice declining at 13% per decade

16 lowest dept ice extents have occurred in the last 16 yrs

2021 lowest on record

• when sea ice melts, more dark water more heat absorbed more local permafrost melting increase

Question 3

what is permafrost thaw

Answer 3

permanently frozen ground

24% of land in northern hemisphere

permafrost stores carbon as peat and methane

~1300gt of carbon stored in permfrost

hold more then 2x as much C than the atmosphere

Question 4

whats thermokarst

Answer 4

disturbance from permafrost thaw, lose structural integrity of ground as permafrost melts

causes - thermokast lakes, collapsed peatlands, ice-wedge polygons, slumps and slides

Question 5

who are the inuit nunangat
what challenges do they face

Answer 5

a group of indigenous people, who live within the artic (canada)

increased industrial activity, shipping and tourism- good for economic opportunities- but disruption of way of life, loss of land or areas for harvesting marine resources

impacts on artic fish and wildlife- new species may harvest, increase or decrease in marine productivity, but reduced food security and impacts on traditions, culture and spirituality

changes to access to artic fish and wildlife - more acess by boat and potential new fisheries, but more dangerous access over ice for indigenous harvestors, reduced food security, impacts on traditions, culture and spirituality

traiditional knowledge may no longer be adequate

Question 6

how does sea ice loss effect indigenous communities such as inuit nunangat

Answer 6

sea ice loss effects hunting
- ice is an extension of the land
-travel and access to crucial areas limited
- platform to the ocean and its resources is effected- this effects hunting and fishing

Question 7

how does permafrost thaw effect homes

Answer 7

erosion from permafrost melting causes unstable house foundations

Question 8

do the inuit nunangat face social injustice

Answer 8

yes, 4x as many people live in crowded homes compared to canadians

• half as little high school diplomas
• 70% of inuit households food insecure
• 4x smaller wages
• less doctors and less employment
• smaller life expectation, higher infant mortality

Question 9

how does permafrost effect trail

Answer 9

trails to husky lakes ( very important for fishing and berry picking ect)
- trail damage is when permafrost melts and so ground collapses as vehicles cross, this encourages water pooling, water transfers heat- increasing heat and permafrost melting

Question 10

is there hope

Answer 10

yes research on inuit is increasing fast, but self-determination needs to be ensured. Make research equitable, respective, inclusive ect

this can be accomplished through the 5 priority areas of natiional inuit strategy
- advance inuit governance in research
- enhance the ethical conduct of research
- align funding with inuit research priorities
- ensure inuit access, ownership, and control over data and information
-build capacity in inuit nunangat research