People in a Developing Arctic Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region Ulan-Ude, Russia Larry Bagnell, MP and Scott Simms, MP 15 June 2016 (Canada) Photo courtesy of Yukon Government (www.largerthanlife.com)
Development and change in the Arctic is affecting its people in several fundamental ways ... creating new economic Getting to and from the North Access activities but also social and is easier than ever before... environmental disruption Digital access is world class in ... connecting the North like some of the North, but minimal never before, but also Digital in many other places... excluding many Better transport and extraction ... but our awareness of social technologies make getting and environmental impacts has Economy Northern resources to market improved too easier than ever before... Climate change is already Climate ... imposing new demands to fundamentally affecting the adapt and mitigate impacts Change North... These impacts are impacting Northerners differently. There is not a single "North" Photo courtesy of Yukon Government (www.largerthanlife.com) LarryBagnell-MP Yukon-CPAR presentation.pptx 1
Access to the North is easier than ever • Air travel, cruise ships, road Creates jobs and business opportunities ... ... but also new environmental impacts and social disruptions for remote communities Carcross is about 45 minutes from the Yukon's capital city. Its award-winning biking trails attract visitors from around the world Photo courtesy of Yukon Government (www.largerthanlife.com) LarryBagnell-MP Yukon-CPAR presentation.pptx 2
Mobile data & phone coverage World class digital access in (some) of the North • 4G mobile, high bandwidth fibre Northern living feels much less isolated than before • News, access to latest technology • Digital telecommuters living in North • New platforms to share locally/globally But coverage spotty, creating two tiers • Digitally enabled Northern cities • Others among shrinking number of places where your iPhone doesn't work LarryBagnell-MP Yukon-CPAR presentation.pptx 3 Source: Bell Canada
Mineral potential in the Yukon The North has huge economic potential • Mining, oil, gas and renewable resources Better transport, extraction technology and melting Arctic sea ice make it easier to extract Northern resources than ever ... ... but our awareness of environmental and social cost is improving too In addition to mining, the Yukon has significant undeveloped oil & gas potential Source: Yukon Department of Economic Development LarryBagnell-MP Yukon-CPAR presentation.pptx 4
Climate change factsheet prepared for Yukon citizens Climate change is already affecting the people of the North Major impacts already observed • Glacier and sea ice melt • Permafrost • Forest fires • Lakes, rivers and hydrological impacts Already affecting Northern people and businesses Further, probably accelerating change, expected Photo courtesy of Yukon Government (www.largerthanlife.com) LarryBagnell-MP Yukon-CPAR presentation.pptx 5
Wrap up thoughts The people of the Arctic are facing unprecedented change Some of it is positive and creates major new opportunities But other aspects create threats to our way of life that are also unprecedented We will need to cooperate and share ideas across the North to cope most effectively LarryBagnell-MP Yukon-CPAR presentation.pptx 6
Questions? LarryBagnell-MP Yukon-CPAR presentation.pptx 7
Recommend
More recommend
