Go Deep

Nunavut

Water Facts

  • Over 80% of water infrastructure in Nunavut is in poor condition
  • Climate change presents significant risks to Inuit food and water security
  • Approximately 78% of Inuit in Nunavut experience food insecurity, which is the highest rate of any area within the Inuit Nunangat region.
  • The northern coast of the territory is projected to experience some of the most rapid and significant climate change effects than anywhere else on the globe

Water Challenges

01.

Freshwater/drinking water contamination

02.

Changes in permafrost/coastal erosion

03.

Loss of marine-based traditional foods

04.

Loss of Arctic sea-ice

Spotlight

A must-read report on climate change in Nunavut:

(1) Inuit Nunangat Food Security Strategy. (July, 2021). Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

  • Highlights the prevalence of food insecurity as the highest in Nunavut (77.6%) of all the Inuit Nunangat
  • Highlights how climate change presents particular risks to Inuit food and water security with changes in the distribution, migration, and ranges of wildlife and plant species, the contamination or loss of water sources, and potential changes in contaminant pathways.

(2) Upagiaqtavut: Setting the Course. (2011). Government of Nunavut.

  • Nunavut’s approach to climate change adaptation planning, including four major objectives with a clear direction towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Nunavut.

Nunavut Situation Report

The Situation Report provides a state-of-the-moment overview and analysis of Nunavut’s water conditions, challenges, and emerging issues.

Researcher Profile

Authors

The content of this Go Deep page was written by:

Charmaine White

Food and Agriculture Institute, University of the Fraser Valley

Robert Newell

Royal Roads University & Food and Agriculture Institute, University of the Fraser Valley