North Slave Applied Climate Research Centre

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Climate warming is occurring at some of the fastest rates in the world in the Northwest Territories (NT). Mean annual temperature increases of up to 5 C have been recorded in some areas over the past 50 years. Climate change poses huge issues for Northern Canada and the NT in particular. Impacts on wildlife, infrastructure, power generations, transportation and housing are just some of the current issues, yet very little research capacity exists in the Northwest Territories to understand, mitigate and plan for the impacts of these changes. Climate change is affecting hydro-electric power generation for the city of Yellowknife and the connected, surrounding indigenous communities of Bechocko, Dettah and N'Dillo. Over the past 5 years the Snare Basin has experienced more frequent and severe forest fires, drought and low water. The issues facing the Northwest Territories Power Corporation will affect all citizens of the NT in the form of higher rates and taxes. Paradoxically in some indigenous communities, river flows are increasing, likely due to permafrost thaw and this appears to be affecting groundwater used by the community and may impact the community's ability to develop renewable hydro power to mitigate the effects of producing power from diesel. Much of the North moves on ice and winter roads, warming winter temperatures and larger loads to mine sites has put stress on the length of winter road seasons and the size of loads moved. Better understanding of ice dynamics, remote imaging and lake bathymetric studies are needed to improve ice cover roads. The North Slave Applied Climate Research Centre is responding to community, commercial and government needs to better understand, predict and mitigate the effects of climate change in the NT. The North Slave Applied Climate Research Centre will focus staff and equipment to solve local problems and work with industrial and Indigenous partners in the Yellowknife region.