Climate change is unequivocal; the earth’s temperature is rising, causing changes in weather patterns and meteorological events of increased frequency and intensity.¹ There is strong evidence that the Canadian Arctic is already experiencing changes in its climate.¹

Indigenous youth – and all Indigenous people – have a strong dependence upon, and close relationship with, the environment and its resources.  Because of this, they are directly impacted by climate change.¹

Climate change is expected to result in changes in the availability of water, terrestrial and freshwater species, communities and ecosystems; changes in sea levels and declines in ice volume; and rising temperatures, increased fire activity, and greater unpredictability of weather.

These changes are likely to cause adverse health impacts from heat-related mortality, injuries and fatalities, and the spread of vector-borne infectious diseases.²

¹Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (IPCC). (2013): Summary for policymakers. In T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boshung et al. (eds.), Climate change 2013: The physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge, UK & New York, NY: Cambridge University Press,.
²Lemmen, D.S., Warren, F.J., Lacroix, J., & Bush, E. (eds.). (2008). From impacts to adaptation: Canada in a changing climate 2007. Ottawa, ON:Government of Canada.
³Warren, F.J., & Lemmen, D.S. (eds.). (2014): Canada in a changing climate: sector perspectives on impacts and adaptation. Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON.