Climate Change And Health And Well-Being In Canada's North: Report On A Public Health Planning Workshop On Climate Change And Health And Well-Being In The North - July 6-7, 2002, Yellowknife, NWT

Overview of the proceedings

Climate change and variability is already being felt in Northern Canada. Scientists are observing some warming outside what are considered normal measurements. As well, scientific and indigenous observations of climate change are showing a wide variety of impacts, and changes to ecosystems and climate that people have never seen in their lifetimes, nor heard of in stories. Impacts of greatest concern include extreme weather events, changes in ice distribution and ice stability, along with a range of direct and indirect health effects. Climate change may strain the ability of northerners to meet their sustainable development goals, including an equitable standard of living for this and future generations, safe food and water, clean energy sources, safe shelter, and a healthy environment.

Climate change has implications for a wide range of public health programs in the North such as those associated with mental health, nutrition, water and air quality, disease monitoring and surveillance, disaster preparedness and relief, search and rescue, housing and shelter, education and awareness, and children's environmental health. Public health decision makers in Canada's North need to begin considering how they will obtain the capacity (information, skills, etc.) and other resources which they will need for their adaptation efforts, and how they may strengthen linkages with key partners in these efforts. Some adaptation strategies to cope with the effects of climate change are already being implemented in communities throughout the North. Public health networks in the North may need to identify a suitable mechanism for collaboration, to ensure linkages are made with key climate change and health research & policy activities.

Northern communities, Aboriginal organizations and provincial/territorial governments are recognizing the impacts that climate change may have on human health and are responding through increased education, discussion, and action. Inuit roundtables, advocacy to international organizations, and local workshops are bridging the gap between scientific research and adaptive actions. Inuit organizations and territorial governments will have the opportunity to present their information to the Arctic Council and the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) to work with the Inuit in other countries and have their concerns on climate change heard internationally.

The Northern Contaminants Program was highlighted as a model management structure because it has successfully engaged all interested partners at the territorial and community levels. It currently involves environment and health practitioners in the North and all interested federal partners. Health Canada, as the federal department with a mandate to protect the health of Canadians, plays a very important role in providing scientific and adaptation information to public health partners in the North.

In all climate change initiatives it will be important to remember the unique situation of Canada's North. Knowledge and policy development need to include and be responsive to the needs of local communities in Canada's North. It will experience impacts before the other regions of Canada, and these impacts will put an additional stress on an already stressed public health system that has competing priorities and limited resources. Together, government, community partners and non-governmental organizations can address the climate change issue in a comprehensive manner that protects the health of Northern citizens.

Health Canada will continue to work with public health partners in the North through the provision of information on climate change and health, and the further development of knowledge. Health Canada will provide an information toolkit to participants for their use in decision-making and education of their public health network. Health Canada will also collaborate with the Territorial Ministries of Health in the completion of a climate change and health impact assessment for their region, that will feed into the national assessment due in 2005.