In a landmark move to address the pressing threat of climate change, Makivvik unveiled the Nunavik Climate Change Adaptation Strategy on April 17. This groundbreaking initiative stems from extensive consultations with Nunavik communities and organizations, ensuring that the strategy resonates with the region’s unique climate challenges and adaptation needs.
Climate change looms as a formidable menace to the fragile ecosystems and time-honoured traditions of Nunavik. Recent scientific findings have underscored the alarming pace at which northern Canada, particularly Nunavik, is warming — experiencing a rate three times faster than the global average. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Nunavik bears the brunt of climate change impacts, ranging from food insecurity to permafrost thaw, intensified extreme weather events, and shifting ice dynamics.
Adamie Delisle Alaku, Vice President responsible for the Department of Wildlife, Environment, and Research at Makivvik, underscored the significance of this strategy. “The launch of the Nunavik Climate Change Adaptation Strategy represents a watershed moment in our collective pledge to safeguard the deeply entrenched Inuit culture and lifestyles intertwined with the natural surroundings,” he said.
Central to the strategy is the principle of self-determination, striving to bolster health and safety across Nunavik while fortifying critical infrastructure and enhancing service delivery. Tailored, innovative measures aim to address the climate adaptation needs of Nunavik communities, envisioning a safer, more sustainable future for next generations.
Delisle Alaku extended gratitude to Nunavik communities and organizations for their help shaping the strategy, acknowledging the invaluable insights gleaned from centuries of lived experiences across the region. He emphasized the importance of empowering Nunavik Inuit self-determination and impressed the need for unified endeavours to foster prosperity for both current and future generations of Nunavik Inuit.
The rollout of the Nunavik Climate Change Adaptation Strategy signifies a bold move toward climate resilience and environmental equity in the region. Makivvik eagerly anticipates collaborative ventures with partner entities and stakeholders to institute the strategy, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow for Nunavimmiut.
Jennifer Munick Watkins, Executive Director of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, hailed the launch as a pivotal moment in addressing climate change’s implications for public health.
“As healthcare leaders, we recognize the urgent imperative for climate action to mitigate the significant risks posed to public health in Nunavik,” she said. “By inaugurating this climate change strategy, we not only confront today’s environmental challenges but also safeguard the health and well-being of future generations.”
The strategy can be found online here: https://www.makivvik.ca/nccas/
