The circumpolar Arctic is home to four million people representing a diversity of cultures. As northerners, they share many connections, but in this year of record breaking high temperatures,one stands out among the rest: the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on earth. Inevitably, this means daily life for those who live in the Arctic is changing fast, too.
Melting sea ice is opening up new waters that are of immediate interest to the oil industry seeking profit. But in the eastern Canadian Arctic, one small and mighty community — Clyde River, Nunavut — is taking a stand. On behalf of Inuit communities from across their territory, they are saying no to dangerous seismic blasting — a process of firing loud underwater air guns into the ocean in search for oil — and they are challenging industry and government in an historic legal battle at Canada’s highest court.
Two years ago, a seismic blasting project was approved without Inuit consent making it a clear violation of their rights as Indigenous Peoples. Through this legal action, the project has been put on hold. But if it were to go ahead, it would cause irreparable harm to many Inuit who depend on healthy marine life.
Joined by three residents of Clyde River and other guests, I’m onboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, to learn about the Arctic from those that live there and have everything to lose if it is not protected. We will be sailing through Baffin Bay and Davis Strait — the very part of the Arctic Ocean that Clyde River residents are fighting so hard to protect.
In solidarity with Clyde River, please follow our journey at arctic-home.greenpeace.org and learn more about our guests below.
Clyde River residents aboard the Arctic Sunrise:
James Qillaq, Mayor of Clyde River
Jerry Natanine, Former Mayor of Clyde River & Clara Natanine, his daughter.
On board guests
Dr. Lindy Weilgart, Whale expert and bioaccoustician, Dalhousie University
Pace University Physics & Energy Professor, Chris Williams
Vancouver Renewable Energy Coop Solar Installer, Duncan Martin