Lipovsky, Panya S.

"Northern Canadian communities are at the forefront of climate change. Permafrost thaw is one of the major threats that they face. Many communities, particularly those within the discontinuous permafrost zone, have ground temperatures just below 0ºC. This makes them particularly susceptible to permafrost thaw under a changing climate. Permafrost thaw and the resulting ground shifting and changes in hydrology in these areas may have broad-reaching consequences for people's ability to travel on the land and on roads, access to traditional food sources, and stability of infrastructure, among other things. This report focuses on the effect of permafrost thaw on the stability of buildings operated by Government of Yukon in Ross River, a small community in south-central Yukon" -- from Introduction.

Climate change is a significant challenge for northern communities, where the impacts of a warming climate are already having considerable effects (Huntington and Weller, 2005). Many people living in small, isolated communities in northern Yukon are concerned about climate-related risks in their regions. Because adverse impacts are a reality, it is important to implement measures to reduce or moderate the negative effects of climate change – in other words, to implement climate change adaptation strategies.

Climate change is a significant challenge for northern communities, where the impacts of a warming climate are already having considerable effects (Huntington and Weller, 2005). Many people living in small, isolated communities in northern Yukon are concerned about climate-related risks in their regions. Because adverse impacts are a reality, it is important to implement measures to reduce or moderate the negative effects of climate change – in other words, to implement climate change adaptation strategies.