November 8, 2004 OTTAWA -- The Government of Canada welcomes the release of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), the most detailed assessment to date of changes in circumpolar climate and ultraviolet radiation and their consequences for Arctic people and ecosystems. Speaking on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment said the ACIA findings are of concern "because they provide conclusive evidence that the Arctic is experiencing some of the most rapid and extensive climate change on Earth." The ACIA found that average temperatures in the Arctic have risen at almost twice the rate of that of the rest of the world over the past several decades, and projects much larger changes in the future, warning that the consequences of the expected changes will be serious, and felt far beyond the Arctic region. While noting that the changing climate may give rise to new opportunities in the North, such as increased access to oil and gas minerals, the ACIA found that economic and social impacts on Aboriginal communities in the circumpolar Arctic are expected to be serious. For example, the ACIA found the range and availability of species of polar bear, walrus, seals and caribou are already beginning to change and, together with shifting ice and weather conditions, pose major challenges to human health and food security for many communities. "The assessment sends a message to all nations - climate change is real, it is happening now and it is a truly global challenge. No nation and no region is immune to its impacts," said Minister Dion. "The Arctic is bearing witness now to the kind of changes other regions will soon see. This is a wake- up call for all of us, not only of the need to reduce emissions, but to realize the importance of adapting to the increasingly changing climate." Canada's participation in the ACIA was led by Environment Canada, with support from a number of other Government of Canada departments, including Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Foreign Affairs Canada. The Government of Canada also provided $500,000 in financial support to the ACIA, as part of its ongoing commitment to research and other initiatives designed to understand and respond to the impacts of climate change in Canada. More than 40 Canadian scientists contributed to the Assessment, several of whom were among its lead authors. Canada's participation also included some 30 individuals from Arctic Aboriginal communities whose expertise in traditional knowledge made an important contribution to the assessment of climate impacts. The ACIA is a project of the Arctic Council, a high-level, consensus- based intergovernmental forum founded in Ottawa in 1996. The Council provides a mechanism to address the common concerns and challenges faced by the Circumpolar states. Spanning four years, the ACIA involved hundreds of scientists from around the world. Minister Dion reiterated the Government of Canada's Speech from the Throne commitment to work with its territorial partners and Aboriginal communities to develop a comprehensive Northern Strategy, which will provide a framework for the federal government to consolidate its focus and activities in the North. He also highlighted the Government's commitment to refine and implement a national plan for climate change. This plan will evolve over time to take into account the development of new technologies and to adapt and respond to what scientists continue to learn about climate change. The complete ACIA Overview "Impacts of a Warming Arctic" is available for download in .pdf format at http://www.acia.uaf.edu/. - 30 - Information: André Lamarre Director of Communications Office of the Minister of the Environment (819) 997-1441 Sébastien Bois Media Relations Environment Canada (819) 953-4016
