Climate Change

1054 Words3 Pages

As the world becomes continually warmer, the effect of climate change in the arctic regions becomes more intense. Within the past 50 years, arctic regions in Canada have experienced warming of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). One of the most important areas in the Canadian arctic is the Cryosphere (Appendix A), which is the area consisting of season snow cover, permafrost glaciers, and sea ice (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). This area is significant because it has provided a stabilized surface for building pipelines, as well as provides access to northern communities (Fergal & Prowse, 2007).
The change in climate has already been apart of consideration for major developmental projects (Fergal & Prowse). Not only are companies preparing for climate change but also the communities are concerned with how the impact will change their access to survival resources such as fish, water, wildlife and forestry (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). It is projected that in 25-30 years, sea ice in the Canadian arctic will be completely melted and which could strongly affect the northern communities (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). This essay will discuss the positive and negative impacts of climate change on transportation for Northern Canadian communities and their accessibility to resources as the sea ice melts.
Transportation Change
As sea ice begins to melt, opportunity in sea transportation strikes as an interesting topic for the Canadian economy. Wintertime shipping has proven to be difficult in the Canadian arctic, due to heavier and thicker ice (Fergal & Prowse, 2007). Summertime has always been a preferable season for sea transportation partially due to the softened ice, and the amount of daylight produced, compared to wintertime darkness (Ferg...

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... important player in global economics and leaders of these communities and territories will need to make there concerned aware. Awareness can protect the safety of northern community’s traditions as well as their resources including water, forestry and fishing.
Works Cited
Ahlenius, H (2012). The Cryosphere, World Map. Grid Arendal. Retrieved form http://www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/the-cryosphere-world-map_e290
Bastedo, J (2009). Greening the NWT Economy. Ecology North. Retrieved fromhttp://www.ecologynorth.ca/knowledge/publications/
Furgan, C & Prowse, D (2007). From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007”. Natural Resources Canada. 2010. Retrieved from http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/assess/2007/ch3/index_e.php >
Pembina Institute (2010). Climate Change- Arctic Energy Solutions/ Retrieved from http://www.pembina.org/arctic/climate-change>

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