ArcticNet connects well-established Centres of Excellence in the natural, medical and social sciences, and their partners in northern communities, federal and provincial agencies and the private sector to study the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. ArcticNet researchers collaborate with the best research teams in the USA, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom, Spain and Belgium. Our climate is warming as the sustained combustion of fossil fuel increases the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) that trap solar energy. At the present rate, the complete burn up of the remaining accessible fossil fuel reserves will raise the present average temperature of the globe from 15o to 23oC in the course of the next two centuries. All htmects of our environment and our economy will be deeply transformed. Despite the Kyoto protocol, there is no indication that this scenario can be avoided. Therefore, societies must brace for the full potential impacts of man-induced climate change. Computer simulations of future climate indicate that these impacts will start in the Arctic where warming will be most intense. There are several signs that the Arctic meltdown predicted by computer models is occurring, including a significant temperature rise in the Western Canadian Arctic, a reduction of sea ice cover over the Arctic Ocean, and the degradation of the permafrost. This meltdown of the Arctic will have tremendous environmental, socio-economic and strategic consequences for Canada. Negative and positive impacts will be felt first and most severely in the High Arctic before spreading to the southern provinces of Canada. In the marine coastal environment of the Arctic, a reduction of coastal sea-ice already hinders traditional hunting; reduces the habitat of the unique Arctic fauna; increases biological productivity; favours the introduction of new species; and increases coastal erosion, inundation and threat to infrastructures.

Moreover, this reduction of coastal sea-ice will soon open the way to intercontinental shipping, thus increasing risks of environmental catastrophes and creating international challenges to Canadian sovereignty over its High Arctic province. In the terrestrial coastal environment, warmer temperatures and permafrost thawing are already destabilizing roads and buildings and increasing erosion and local floods. They will, however, reduce construction problems and favour an expansion of tourism. In addition, these developments will affect the traditional migration routes of mammals and birds, transform the tundra into bogs and wetlands, extend the northern distribution of plants and insects (both pests and beneficial ones), and alter potable-water and freshwater-resource availability. ArcticNet will contribute the knowledge needed to formulate impact assessments, national policies and adaptation strategies to help Canada face the environmental and socio-economic consequences of an Arctic meltdown. The direct involvement of northerners in the scientific process is a primary goal of the network. ArcticNet will provide a unique multi-disciplinary cross-sector environment for the next generation of scientists and northerners – something that is urgently needed to ensure the stewardship of a new Canadian Arctic. Over the next four years and beyond, ArcticNet will conduct Integrated Regional Impact Studies (IRIS) in the coastal marine Canadian High Arctic (Theme 1), the terrestrial ecosystems in the Eastern Arctic (Theme 2), and Hudson Bay (Theme 3). In turn, each IRIS will contribute the knowledge needed to formulate policies and adaptation strategies for the Canadian coastal Arctic (Theme 4) to address the following concerns of northerners: the rate of change of the Arctic environment; the reduction of human vulnerability to hazardous events; the adaptation of the public health system to change; the protection of key animal species; maritime transport in an ice-free Canadian Arctic; and the economic impacts of environmental change in the Arctic.

Scientific Director: Dr. Louis Fortier Departement de biologie, Université Laval louis.fortier@ulaval.ca Executive Director: Dr. Martin Fortier Québec-Océan, Université Laval martin.fortier@giroq.ulaval.ca Host Institution: Université Laval Total Award 2003-2004 to 2007-2008: $25,7 million Number of Canadian and Foreign Participating Organizations: 41 universities, 2 industries, and 27 government departments and public sector supporters. Distribution of Research Personnel and Partners Map of the Distribution of Research Personnel and Partners Original Proposal to the NCE (weight: 3MB - Fast Internet connection needed) NCE: