Environment and Conservation
December 30, 2013

Adapting to Climate Change Benefits Communities and Families

Provincial Government Supports Sustainable Communities Initiative

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is supporting the Nunatsiavut Government’s Sustainable Communities Initiative to provide Inuit communities with tools and resources to adapt to climate change.

“Northern areas across the globe are experiencing the impacts of climate change, including reduced ice conditions, thawing permafrost and changes in wildlife and vegetation. These changes impact the economy and culture significantly so we continue to support the Nunatsiavut Government for the second year in a row.”
- The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

The Provincial Government has provided $150,000 in funding for the Sustainable Communities Initiative over the past two years. This year’s program is focused on adapting planning and building practices in several communities, including Hopedale and Postville and led to the Nunatsiavut Government being awarded the Arctic Inspiration Prize.

A research team from the Nunatsiavut Government’s Nain Research Centre and Memorial University will use the $350,000 prize money to build and monitor Nunatsiavut’s first sustainable, multi-unit residential dwelling. This project will establish a prototype for northern housing that addresses climate change and Inuit housing needs and help to improve the health and safety of residents in northern communities.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government supports the Nunatsiavut Government’s Sustainable Communities Initiative to provide Inuit communities with tools and resources for climate change adaptation.
• In the 2011 Climate Change Action Plan, the Provincial Government committed to work with communities in northern Labrador to improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• The Arctic Inspiration Prize was first awarded in 2012. This year’s recipients also included the National Strategy on Inuit Education and Ikaarvik, which is a community-based science initiative.
• More information on the Sustainable Communities Initiative can be found at nainresearchcentre.com.

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Media contact:
Deborah Thomas
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
709-729-2575, 728-8092
DeborahThomas@gov.nl.ca

2013 12 30                                        1:40 p.m.