Growing up in Canada, we often saw maps highlighting the vast Arctic region, which makes up 40% of Canada’s land and two-thirds of its coastline. Despite its significance, we didn’t learn much about it in school. The Arctic always seemed like a distant, mysterious place, especially as we heard about the ice melting over the years. Curious to see the effects of climate change firsthand, we decided to join a Greenpeace expedition from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Clyde River on Baffin Island.
Scientists have found that the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. This rapid warming causes the ice on land and sea to melt and alters ocean currents. Upon arriving in the Arctic, we were shocked by how little ice remained. Climate change is a global issue, affecting everyone. The increase in temperatures, mainly due to burning fossil fuels, is melting the Arctic ice, impacting both wildlife and human communities.
The Inuit are Indigenous people who have lived in North America for thousands of years. They call themselves “people” and have a rich history as hunter-gatherers, relying on hunting whales, seals, and fishing for sustenance. However, in 1939, the Supreme Court of Canada placed the Inuit under federal jurisdiction, imposing laws that disrupted their traditional customs. During World War II, the strategic importance of their land led to increased occupation and forced assimilation.
In the 1950s, the Canadian government compelled Inuit communities to settle permanently in places like Clyde River, ending their nomadic lifestyle. Today, the community consists mainly of wooden bungalows and gravel roads, lacking proper infrastructure. Many Inuit remember the days of camping with family, living off the land, and wish for a return to that lifestyle, which fostered family bonds.
Mass agriculture is challenging in the Arctic, making wildlife a crucial food source. Hunting is not just about survival; it’s about respecting nature and sharing within the community. Unfortunately, 68% of Inuit face food insecurity, the highest among Indigenous groups in developed countries. In Clyde River, the only store, Northern Stores, sells goods at prices 100% to 400% higher than in Ottawa. For instance, a pepper can cost $15.99, and a can of Coke $6.50.
Despite these challenges, Clyde River faces another threat: seismic blasting. Energy companies use this technique to search for underwater oil, creating loud blasts every 10 seconds. These blasts disrupt marine life, affecting animals’ ability to find food, navigate, and communicate. Seismic blasting is one of the loudest human-made sounds, posing a significant threat to the Arctic ecosystem.
Clyde River is fighting back, launching a legal battle against the Canadian government and energy companies to protect their land, culture, and way of life. The seismic companies applied for a permit to conduct a five-year project in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, approved without the community’s consent. During consultations, the companies gave vague answers about the impact on wildlife, showing a lack of genuine concern.
The struggle to protect the Arctic is vital, as it could set a precedent for other Indigenous communities worldwide. If Clyde River loses, seismic blasting could start as early as summer 2017, threatening the Inuit’s primary food sources. The community is already on a precarious edge, and seismic testing poses a severe risk to their land and food security.
The Arctic people contribute the least to climate change but suffer the most from its effects. It’s not just about carbon emissions; it’s about fairness and justice. Everyone can help by supporting Clyde River. Consider signing petitions to pressure the Supreme Court and the Canadian government. Young people today have a powerful voice, especially with online platforms. Your voice matters, and it’s crucial to use it to advocate for change.
Investigate how climate change is impacting the Arctic region. Focus on the melting ice, changes in wildlife patterns, and effects on local communities. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting the global significance of these changes.
Engage in a role-playing debate where you represent different stakeholders, such as energy companies, Inuit communities, and environmental activists. Discuss the pros and cons of seismic blasting in the Arctic, and propose potential solutions to address the concerns of each group.
Create an interactive map that highlights key locations in the Arctic, such as Inuit communities, areas affected by climate change, and sites of proposed seismic blasting. Use digital tools to make the map engaging and informative, and present it to your classmates.
Watch a documentary about the Inuit way of life and the challenges they face due to climate change and external pressures. Write a reflection on how these issues relate to broader themes of environmental justice and cultural preservation.
Participate in a workshop to draft a petition supporting the rights of the Inuit community in Clyde River. Learn how to effectively communicate your message and gather support. Share your petition with peers and discuss strategies for raising awareness online.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Growing up in Canada, we were always shown maps of our country, highlighting the Arctic, which makes up 40% of Canada’s land mass and two-thirds of its coastline. However, we never learned much about it in school, and it has always seemed like an exotic location we wanted to explore, especially knowing that the ice has been steadily declining for years. So, we decided to pack our bags, bring some camera gear, and join a Greenpeace boat heading from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to a community called Clyde River on Baffin Island to see the effects of climate change firsthand.
Scientists know that the Arctic is warming twice as fast as other parts of the world, causing land and sea ice to melt and currents to change. We were honestly surprised at how little ice there was, which we could see immediately upon arrival. Climate change is a global phenomenon; it affects everyone. The rising temperatures caused by burning fossil fuels have led to the melting of the Arctic, impacting wildlife and people’s lives.
The Inuit are an Indigenous people who have lived in North America for thousands of years. They refer to themselves as “people.” What defines them is their lifestyle as hunter-gatherers, spending part of the year living off the land by hunting whales, seals, and fishing. In 1939, the Supreme Court of Canada decided that the Inuit should be under federal jurisdiction, imposing Canadian laws that stripped them of their customs. During World War II, this land became strategically important and was occupied more heavily, leading to forced assimilation and the removal of their traditional structures.
In the 1950s, the Canadian government forced communities to settle permanently in cities or hamlets like Clyde River, stripping away the nomadic way of life. Walking around my community, you see that the houses are mostly bungalows, wooden structures, and the roads are gravel, lacking proper infrastructure. I remember camping with my family for weeks or even months, living off the land. I wish we could return to that way of life, as it allowed for more family time. Everything changed when camping became less feasible.
Given that mass agriculture isn’t easy to produce in the North, any threat to wildlife, which is a significant food source, is problematic. The relationship with nature is crucial; hunting is not just about killing but about sustenance. When we hunt, we treat the animals with respect and share the food within the community.
Today, 68% of Inuit do not have consistent access to healthy or nutritious food, leading to the highest rate of food insecurity among Indigenous groups in the developed world. In Clyde River, we have one store called Northern Stores, which is a chain across Nunavut and other regions of Canada. Because it is our only store, prices are marked up significantly, sometimes 100% to 400% higher than in Ottawa. For example, peppers can cost $15.99, and a can of Coke is $6.50.
Despite these challenges, Clyde River is facing a significant threat: seismic blasting. Energy and oil companies use this technique to search for oil underwater, creating high-pressure blasts every 10 seconds. This has a profound impact on marine life, as many marine animals rely on sound for vital life functions. Seismic blasting is one of the loudest human-made sounds, and it disrupts the natural environment, affecting the ability of animals to find food, navigate, and communicate.
Clyde River is unique in that they have begun a legal battle against the Canadian government and energy companies to protect their land, culture, wildlife, and way of life. The seismic companies applied for a permit to conduct a five-year project to blast Baffin Bay and Davis Strait in search of oil and gas. This project was approved despite the lack of consent from the community.
During the consultation process, when community members asked questions about the impact on wildlife, the companies provided vague answers, indicating a lack of genuine consultation. This disregard for proper consultation is not only affecting the wildlife and ecosystem but also the Inuit way of life.
The fight to protect their rights and the Arctic is crucial, as it could set a precedent for other Indigenous communities worldwide. If they lose, seismic blasting could begin as soon as summer 2017, threatening the primary food sources for the Inuit. The community is already living on a fine line, and seismic testing poses a significant risk to their land and food safety.
The people of the Arctic are among the smallest contributors to climate change but are experiencing the most significant impacts. It’s not just about CO2; it’s about people and the unfairness of the situation. Everyone can come together to help a community in need.
If you want to support Clyde River, consider signing the petition to put pressure on the Supreme Court and the government of Canada. Young people today have more power than ever, especially with online movements. Your voice matters, and it’s essential to use it to advocate for change.
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains the core message of the original transcript.
Arctic – The polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth, characterized by extreme cold, ice-covered seas, and unique ecosystems. – The melting ice in the Arctic is a significant indicator of global climate change.
Climate – The long-term pattern of weather conditions in a particular area, including temperature, precipitation, and wind. – Scientists study climate data to understand how global warming affects different regions.
Inuit – Indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, known for their traditional knowledge of the environment. – The Inuit have adapted their lifestyle to thrive in the harsh conditions of the Arctic.
Wildlife – Animals, birds, and other living organisms that are not domesticated and live in their natural habitats. – Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the diverse wildlife in the Amazon rainforest.
Food – Any nutritious substance that organisms consume to maintain life and growth, often influenced by the environment and climate. – Climate change is affecting food production by altering rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures.
Change – The process through which something becomes different, often used in the context of environmental transformations. – The change in sea levels is a direct consequence of the melting polar ice caps.
Community – A group of interacting organisms sharing an environment, often relying on each other for survival. – The coral reef community is highly sensitive to changes in ocean temperature and acidity.
Hunting – The practice of pursuing and capturing or killing wild animals, often for food, sport, or population control. – Sustainable hunting practices are important for maintaining ecological balance in wildlife populations.
Ecosystem – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning as a unit. – The destruction of one species can have a ripple effect throughout the entire ecosystem.
Justice – The concept of fairness and moral rightness, often applied to environmental policies and practices to ensure equitable resource distribution. – Environmental justice seeks to address the disproportionate impact of pollution on marginalized communities.
