Use of Health Impact Assessment in Planning for Climate Change in Canada’s North Health Impact Assessment and Sustainable Well-being Conference October 2008 Liverpool, UK ‑

2 Outline Health Impact Assessment & Determinants of Health Inuit Health Status and Way of Life Climate Change Impacts on Health Decision-making and Integration of Health Concerns Community Capacity-building and Planning Conclusions

3 HIA and Determinants of Health HIA can provide the framework for organizing and addressing health impacts not only for the present but for the future in the face of accelerating environmental and health impacts due to climate change. We can look at and adapt to future impacts through the determinants of health model: – culture and lifestyle, – location, – traditional knowledge, and – capacity of local health systems to adapt.

4 Inuit Health Status In the past, Inuit were healthy and resilient. With relocation, exposure to diseases and globalization, their health status has deteriorated. Health issues include: – diabetes – smoking – lung cancer – injuries – suicides – infant mortality – life expectancy 10 years less than the national average.

5 Traditional Activities Hunting, fishing, gathering and sharing of wild resources have been identified as important contributors to the health and well-being of Inuit, not just to their physical health but to their traditional values, their culture and their ability to develop self-esteem and resilience.

6 The earth’s climate is changing There is scientific consensus that climate change impacts will accelerate in the future, before global efforts to reduce green-house emissions will be effective. Land use change Fossil Fuels ACIA 2004

7 Climate is rapidly changing in Canada’s North Inuit are reporting changes in their environment (air, land, water, ice) that affect their ability to: – travel both on the land and ice, – find and hunt traditional foods, – preserve traditional foods, – access potable water, – predict local weather and plan travel.

8 Inuit Communities Most communities (hamlets) in Canada’s north are small (typically people). Most communities are on the coast. There are no roads linking communities. Transportation is by air or ship. Cross country travel is by ATV, snowmobile (in winter) and sometimes dog sleds. The ocean is their highway in winter. Permafrost and ice is critical for travel and infrastructure.

9 Projected Change in Permafrost Boundary Current Permafrost Projected Permafrost Projected sea-ice cover ACIA 2004

10 Warmer Temperatures are Causing Effects: 70% of Inuit diet comes from traditional foods gathered locally decreased ability to access traditional foods (seal hunting) greater spoilage of traditional foods during drying and storage more frequent microbial contamination of drinking water, increases in infectious diseases, sun-burns and skin rashes.

11 Warmer Temperatures are Causing Effects Contaminants emitted in industrial areas are transported to the Arctic where they become concentrated as they move up the food chain. Climate change is increased recycling of contaminants that were previously locked-up in permafrost and ice.

12 Development Canada’s north is rich in natural resources (minerals, gas, oil) and many industries are anxious to start development as marine access improves with the opening of the North-west Passage.

13 Increased Marine Transport and Access to Northern Resources ACIA 2004

14 Impacts Inuit and First Nations communities have a close relationship to the land and sea deeply rooted in their culture and way of life. The implications of these changes are profound for ecosystems and human health, infrastructure communities, and economies. Inuit Roundtable

15 Decision-making One must consider how a changing climate will increase risks and/or offer new opportunities to take responsibility for integrating these health concerns into decision-making, whether through: – environmental assessments and project approvals, – community capacity-building and planning, – emergency preparedness, or – strategic policies.

16 Integration of Health Concerns To accomplish this integration, relevant information and tools, and opportunities for collaboration and engagement, are needed. We see HIA as a framework for this integration but it can not be done in isolation. It needs collaboration with governments, scientists, planners, experts with local knowledge and people within the communities.

17 Climate Change and Health Adaptation for Northern Communities This program, funded by Health Canada, is building capacity in northern communities to: – assess key vulnerabilities and health impacts related to climate change –develop health adaptation plans and tools, –develop their own educational and awareness materials, –disseminate this information to other communities, practitioners etc., for their use.

18 Application Guide

19 Raising Awareness of Climate Change Impacts and Promoting Adaptation Information Kit for Health Professionals - to better understand the health impacts of a changing climate and how to incorporate these considerations into public health plans & programs 150 pages of fact sheets, background information, case studies, glossary

20 Nunavut Arctic Health Research Network Project, Cambridge Bay Youth-led Identity in Relation to Suicide Prevention Climate change can undermine traditional knowledge of the land: – intergenerational disconnect of knowledge; – fewer people can go on the land due to environmental uncertainty Produced a video highlighting community members’ views/stories on culture, identity, and suicide “Will provide an opportunity for youth and elders in one Nunavut community to work together to address an important health issue in the community.” Quajigiariit – Final Report 07-08

21 Present and Future Ice Travel in Resolute, Environment Canada, Resolute Bay Sea ice provides hunting grounds and transportation routes. Traditional foods are extremely nutritious when compared to the available store-bought foods. Discussions with a variety of experts including elders and local hunters helped develop a series of maps and other tools to show the current use of sea ice, as well as future projections for sea ice breakup. Built capacity through communication, education, and technology. Present and Future Ice Travel: Resolute,, Roger de Abreu

22 Dynamic Inuit Social Strategies in Arctic Environments - A Long Term Perspective International Polar Year Project Cambridge Bay, Arviat, Kugaaruk, Igloolik, Hall Beach Historic reconstruction of Inuit culture – from social changes to environmental changes “Ultimate objective.. is to bring about an understanding of the dynamic strategies of movement, communication, and other social actions which Arctic peoples create when interacting with their social, cultural, and natural environments” Diverse research team will provide a balanced, well-rounded view.

23 Other Community-Based Projects Healthy Land, Healthy Ice, Healthy Life – Clyde River, NU Integrated Assessment of Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity in a Northern Community: Fort Resolution, NWT – Fort Resolution, NWT Traditional Knowledge as a Basis for a Nutritional Intervention in an Inuit Community – Pangnirtung, NU The Impact of Environmental Change on Inuit Childhood Feeding Teachings and Behaviours in Arctic Bay – Arctic Bay, NU

24 Conclusion These programs and initiatives are providing opportunities for Northern communities, apprehensive about the potential impacts of climate change, to conduct community-based research on environmental health concerns related to their specific situations, through the framework of HIA. Hopefully the results will be used to improve health and health adaptation in the North.