What have we learned? Navigating the climate change research landscape in Nunavut (2004-2021)

Abstract

Climate change in Nunavut is rapidly impacting key wildlife, ice and weather patterns, and Inuit travel on land, water, and ice. This, in turn, affects Inuit livelihoods, culture, health, and well-being. In 2022, the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) and Government of Nunavut Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) identified the need to understand the diversity of climate change projects that have taken place across the territory over the last two decades (2004-2021). Recognizing that not all climate change research conducted is published in academic literature, an analysis of climate change research in Nunavut was undertaken according to licensed and permitted research (from the NRI, Government of Nunavut Department of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada), as well as federal climate change funding programs targeted to support northern- and Indigenous-led initiatives (Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program, Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program, Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program). CCS priority themes were used to analyze licensed/permitted/funded project summaries, including: Built Infrastructure & Services, Community & Connection; Food Sovereignty; Health, Safety & Wellness; Healthy Environment; Inuit Culture & Heritage; and, Livelihoods & Growth. Key findings highlight that: 1) climate change research has increased in Nunavut since 2004; 2) climate change research is led primarily by Canadian Universities, followed by the Government of Canada, and Nunavut Inuit Organizations; 3) most research projects relate to Healthy Environments, with predominant emphasis on physical/natural sciences; and, 4) Nunavut licensing, permitting, and funding agencies can enhance coordination and collaboration to reduce duplicated effort and streamline review processes.