Simon talks climate change and the future with Nunavut youths
Conversation was about listening to their views on impact of climate change and what can be done, Governor General says
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, centre, wearing the dark-coloured parka and Nunavut hat, stands with her husband Whit Fraser and youths with whom she held an hour-long discussion Wednesday on the impact of climate change. (Photo by David Lochead)
Following two days when Iqaluit was warmer, wetter and slushier than usual for early April, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon discussed climate change with youths on Wednesday.
Historically, Iqaluit’s average high temperature for April 1 and 2 is about -14 C, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
On those days this week, temperatures hovered at just above 0 C, leaving melting snow and puddles across the city.
“It is jarring,” Simon said of the city’s recent warm stretch.
Simon held a private, hour-long knowledge-sharing session Wednesday at Sylvia Grinnell Park in Iqaluit with members of the Nunavut Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee, second-year students from Nunavut Arctic College’s Environmental Technology Program, and members of Inuksuk High School’s Green Club.
The event was part of the third day of her four-day visit to Nunavut,
Afterward, Jennifer Kilabuk, a member of the youth advisory committee, said they discussed changes happening to Nunavut’s climate, how to combat change and also how to adapt to it.
She said that while a warm spring day may seem nice, it can have negative impacts on the land. For example, she said a rapid snow melt can lead to a dryer environment, which could impact berry picking later in the year.
“Seeing these changes now, I’m already thinking about the future impacts,” she said.
In an interview, Simon agreed, adding climate change is not just about adapting but also being aware of its future impact on the lives of Inuit, such as how it affects berry picking.
She noted hunters rely on sea ice to hunt, but that becomes difficult in an unusually warm climate.
Simon said that as governor general it’s her responsibility to listen to young Nunavummiut and convey their concerns to people in positions of authority.
“That’s what I do on many different issues, and climate change is one of those issues,” she said.
“It’s a process. It’s not just changing the way things are done immediately, it takes time and lots of discussions about understanding one another.”
Kilabuk said Simon’s visit will inspire youths to do more on climate change initiatives.
“It really validates and fulfills our desires to be involved in climate change discussions at all levels of government,” she said.
Simon said part of the solution to the worldwide problem of climate change is to have more youth groups such as those she met in Iqaluit who want to address climate change.
“It’s to be able to say, ‘there is a problem and let’s see how can deal with it,’” Simon said.
“I heard that from the youth group today.”
As for anyone else – other than those with deep knowledge of Earth science, chemistry, physics and mathematics – discussions about climate should be limited to discussion about which climate one prefers for vacation or where to live. Anything other than that is pretense or religion.
Even for Earth scientists, changing climate is not much of a thing, unless viewed through a lens of tens of thousands, or millions of years
These discussions aren’t necessarily based on the science behind climate change, but how socially will Inuit adapt, and discussing from a holistic perspective, not a science one. Different viewpoint and discussion among the future stewards of the land.
Going to need more healing centers and of course more money for the healing bussiness
What’s her background on climate change? Is she a scientist? Or is she just repeating what her boss wants her to say.
ITS CALLED ” A PHOTO OP ” .
It would be called “PHOTO OP” if they were all wearing the Pyjamas Boy’s Group, AKA PJs.
Any belly laughs about past predictions? The arctic would be ice-free decades ago.
Or serious discussion about the passed Bill SB 2691/HB 2063 in the Tennessee, USA, Senate? A Bill Canadian politicians must hear and take the similar action.
The Bill is to stop releasing on purpose chemicals into the sky for geoengineering
This is something the Iqaluit group should get behind to push Simmon on for real action.
Geoengineering is intentional weather modification and an eye opening chemtrails rabbit hole.
Nunatsiaq com years ago wrote articles about arctic geoengineering.
Though the last 2 sentences in the article above, it’s assumed Tennessee’s Bill will be laughed away in Ottawa.
Because Canada’s climate change fight is the mechanism to haul Canada back to the stone age.
Now we have it straight from the horse mouth. More Fear Mongering. She is an Elder for the Inuit community but this does not make her a Scientist. She is verbally regurgitating what he fear mongers want. A great puppet. Not bad for a person who lived in a small desolated remote community in Nunavik who will be paid $250,000.00 for the rest of her life on tax payers dollars. So Sad.