Inuit Circumpolar Council highlights environmental concerns

The delegates to the12thgeneral assembly of the InuitCircumpolarCouncil saymechanisms must be in place to avoid or minimize environmental disasters.

Many delegates attending the conference in Inuvik last week say they want to focus on environmental protection in response to increased interest in resource development.

MakivikCorporation PresidentJobieTukkiapikspoke on a panel about how to respond to environmental challenges.

Nunavikhas two operating nickel mines and potentially two large iron ore mines.TukkiapiksaysMakivikis developing a mining policy becauseof interest in uranium mining, which is a sensitive issue.

Hesays aside from potential oil spills, the immediate threat in the Arctic is climate change.

"For example, one of our communitiesSalluit, is being particularly affected, melting permafrost and thermalerosionhave caused land slides, deterioration of buildings and an abandonment of community expansion plans," he said.

JamesEtoolook, vice president of NunavutTunngavikInc., says the effects of climate change arebeing felt throughout the North.

"Some of ourcommunities are feeling the effects of global warming really fast.Some are warmingslower. Our community is not really affected, but we know climate change is happening,"Etoolooksaid.

Many delegates say they support the economic benefits of resource development, but worry because the North lacks proper infrastructure and would not be able to respond quickly to disasters, such as an oil spill.