Abstracts

Climate Change Health Impacts, Vulnerabilities and the Capacity to Respond in Canadian Northern Aboriginal Communities

Christopher Furgal¹, Jacinthe Seguin
¹Laval University
Christopher.furgal@crchul.ulaval.ca

In signing and ratifying the Kyoto Protocol and adopting a national plan on climate change, Canada has recognized the need and value in increasing the understanding of the determinants of climate and their patterns of change over time. It has also recognized the fact that Aboriginal and northern communities in the country face unique challenges and that there is a need to expand the assessment of vulnerabilities to climate change in all areas of Canada, including its northern regions. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that Canada's North is already experiencing significant changes in its climate and these changes are having negative impacts on the lives of Aboriginal people living in these regions.

Research on climate change and health impacts in northern Canada thus far has brought together Aboriginal community members, government representatives and researchers and is charting new territory. This paper draws on some experiences gained from research conducted in Canada's North to assess some of the potential impacts of climate change on the health and well being of individuals and communities. Additionally, data, research and methods needs are identified to further this work and better understand the impacts and vulnerabilities of health in northern communities to climate change. The experiences presented argue for a multi-stakeholder, participatory framework for assessment that supports the necessary analysis, understanding and enhancement of local capacities to respond and adapt to the health impacts of climate change at the local scale.

2005-04-05