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Northern communities
“In Canada, Aboriginal communities are likely to be among the hardest hit by the effects of global climate change because of geography, connectedness to the land and limited resources to adapt to changing conditions” (1).
It is important to note that these communities have been experiencing the effects of global warming for over a decade now. Traditional ways, transportation methods, infrastructure, safety, and drainage are all being affected. It has also been identified that many health problems like mold in houses, safe and clean drinking water, and respiratory problems, could be worsened by the effects of climate change.
In Hudson's Bay, an extension of the ice-free season could threaten seals and their main predators, polar bears. Longer ice-free seasons will make hunting and trapping more difficult and dangerous. On the positive side, the increased ice-free season will create an opportunity to extend the shipping season at the port of Churchill.
A change in climate will also result in the appearance of new species of insects, fish, and mammals.
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Permafrost
Permafrost is ground that is permanently frozen. It provides the foundation for the northern forests, roads, railways, airstrips, and houses. Permafrost is extremely sensitive to rises in temperature. While snow and ice reflects much of the Sun’s energy back into the atmosphere, permafrost absorbs most of it. The permanency of this layer of earth is no longer dependable. With climate warming, permafrost is thawing and may ultimately disappear. The thawing of permafrost causes extensive disruption to existing roads, railways, airport infrastructures, and houses. These vital links are critical to the health and welfare of northern Manitoban residents.
Another significant concern facing us today is the potential climate effect of large scale melting of permafrost. The thawing of permafrost has the potential to release significant amounts of stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
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Winter roads
Winter roads are roads created across frozen ground, lakes, or rivers. They provide an important role in northern transportation, both for community supplies (food, fuel, medical supplies, building materials) and access to other communities. In some cases, they are the only way families are connected. Northern Manitobans in nine eastern and sixteen northern Manitoba communities are served by these roads during a brief period of about eight weeks from mid-January to early March. Weather conditions can shorten or extend this period by as much as two weeks. Over the past decade the period of time during which winter roads are available has shortened dramatically. What was once a season of 50 – 60 days has been as low as 20 days.
Every year, the Manitoba Department of Highways builds enough winter roads to stretch from Winnipeg to Vancouver. |
Warmer winters, due to climate change, will reduce the length of time winter roads can be used, affecting access to and from remote communities and increasing the need to fly in supplies. Reduction in the winter road season causes shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies in the communities. This results in higher living costs and potential decreases in quality of life and health. Reduced winter road seasons also perpetuate feelings of isolation and impacts social and mental health in northern communities. Climate change will also affect the travel safety on these roads. Every year in Manitoba, individuals die because their vehicles fall through the ice.
A shorter ice-road season may be partially offset by a longer open-water or ice-free season. However, this is only beneficial to the communities with water access and adequate shore infrastructure.
For more details on winter roads in Manitoba, click here.
