ᓯᓚᐅᑉ ᐊᓯᔾᔨᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖓᓄᑦ ᑐᖅᑲᖅᑕᕐᕕᒃ
PROGRAM AREAS
The Climate Change Secretariat addresses climate change in Nunavut through three interrelated areas: Adaptation, Mitigation, and Knowledge Mobilization.
Adaptation
The Adaptation Section focuses on ensuring Nunavummiut are prepared for and have the resources available to adapt to climate changes. This includes ensuring climate change adaptation measures are incorporated into decision-making and policies.
Some projects and initiatives include:
- Pan-Territorial Adaptation Partnership - working with Yukon and Northwest Territories on joint adaptation initiatives.
- Permafrost Vulnerability Maps – these landscape hazard maps were developed for seven communities across Nunavut help to improve infrastructure planning around permafrost thaw.
- Nunavut Permafrost Databank – an open-source online resource for permafrost data from across the territory.
*For more information on current Adaptation initiatives please visit our website.
Mitigation
The Mitigation Section focuses on greenhouse gas reduction, energy conservation, and supporting alternative energy development in the territory, in order to reduce Nunavut’s reliance on diesel.
Some projects and initiatives include:
- Community Energy Audits - Energy audits in communities across Nunavut help residents better understand what they can do to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
- Greenhouse Gas Databank for Nunavut – an energy database that provides data on greenhouse gas emissions from heating, electricity, and transportation sources.
- Energy Wise Campaign – partnering with Qulliq Energy Corporation and Nunavut Housing Corporation to deliver an energy conservation awareness campaign.
*For more information on current Mitigation initiatives please visit our website.
Knowledge Mobilization
The Knowledge Mobilization Section supports Nunavummiut in learning about climate change, understanding its impacts, and providing resources to help them take action in their own lives and communities.
Some projects and initiatives include:
- Educator Resources – developed and tested in Nunavut, these activity guides support learning about climate change in the classroom.
- Climate Change Adaptation for Decision-Makers Training Course – offered on a yearly basis to support government employees in learning how to incorporate adaptation planning into their everyday decision-making.
- Tukisigiaqta learning tool – a web-based tool to help Nunavummiut understand the hazards from climate change on the land and in the home.
*For more information on current KMb initiatives please visit our website.
For more information or questions contact us.
Adaptation is taking steps to prepare for or respond to the effects of climate change. It can be an action that takes advantage of new opportunities or that addresses the negative impacts of climate change. An example of an adaptation is changing the way we build homes so they are stable even when the permafrost thaws.
Mitigation is taking actions that reduce or minimize the effects of climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions or the amount of pollution is one way to help slow climate change.
Knowledge Mobilization is the two way sharing of information between different groups with the outcome of creating action. An example is sharing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and scientific climate change data between Elders and researchers in order to inform climate change decisions.