Climate change impacts, adaptation, and the technology interface - Environmental and Human Security in the Arctic - page 116

like 'thinning of sea ice'. In fact, 'over the past 30 years, the annual average
sea-ice extent has decreased by about 8 per cent, or nearly one million square
kilometres, an area larger than all of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark com-
bined, and the melting trend is accelerating' (Hassol 2004:25). Observations
of climate change by the Inuit of Canada's North have been recorded and
are discussed by Fenge (2001). Fenge (2001:80) reported: 'Already Inuit are
altering their hunting patterns to accommodate changes to the ice regime
and distribution of harvested species.' A detailed table is presented in Fenge
(2001), which tabulates observations of environmental change by Inuit and
Cree in different regions of the eastern Canadian Arctic on various aspects of
weather, sea and river conditions and wildlife. These observations can be used
to provide a qualitative picture of various aspects of climate variability as it
affects building design and construction in the North.
Climate variability and weather extremes are increasing in the northern
and southern regions of Canada. Although the residents of southern Canada
seem not to be concerned about climate change in the North, nor about the
importance of increasing the emphasis on climate change research in the
North, they should realize that the weather in the South is largely influenced
by climate conditions in the North. The North of Canada and the northern
regions of Russia in Siberia are showing the most dramatic short-term effects
of climate variability and climate warming (Global 2012). Permafrost slump-
ing along riverbanks in the North is common, and forest fires are increasing
in frequency and intensity. Forest fires can also increase the susceptibility of
habitats to invasions by non-native species (Hassol 2004).
The impact of extreme weather events and climate change on the insurance
industry on a worldwide basis has recently been published (Zaneti et al . 2004).
In a special chapter on the impacts of climate change, the report admits that
the higher losses since 1970 are mostly explained by economic, demographic
and geographical factors, and that the impact on losses due to climate change
is difficult to quantify. However, the report suggests that climate variability
and extreme events will have greater effects in the future.
One characteristic of climate variability is an increase in extreme events;
for example, forest fire activity is on the increase in the North (Hassol
2004). Thunderstorms have also been reported in the northern regions of the
Northwest Territories (NWT) and Nunavut (Hassol 2004). As pointed out
by Lahey (2002:81): 'It is not a few degrees' rise in average temperatures
that will affect people the most; it is the corresponding increase in extreme
weather.' This article in Canadian Geographic provides a good introduction to
climate change science for the average person, including a discussion of the
importance of mathematical computer models to describe present and future
trends in climate change (Lahey 2002).
Sea level rise is another possible result of climate change, especially if
climate-warming trends continue (Hassol 2004). Changes in sea level are
especially important to vulnerable areas of coastline. Although most of the