INUVIK - The GNWT's Greenhouse Gas Strategy is up for renewal and the government is bringing the issue of emission reduction to the communities.

The environmental protection division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) held a public meeting in Inuvik April 19 to hear and suggestions on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the NWT.

Only four community members showed up to the meeting, which highlighted one of the concerns that the government needs to advertise this strategy, its goals and ideas more forcefully.

"(The government) needs to give information and suggestions and support on how to change," said Laura Evans, a resident of Inuvik, at the event. "People need to be afraid. Look at the H1N1 epidemic as an example. A lot of people took the vaccine because it was advertised as a precautionary measure."

Inuvik has warmed the fastest of all the communities in the territory, with annual temperature averages having increased by 2.7 C since 1958. That is four to five times faster than the rest of the planet, with global temperatures increasing by 0.5 C in the same amount of time, according to data presented by the GNWT.

This change in climate will have several impacts on the territory including shorter winter road seasons; melting permafrost causing damage to roads, buildings, runways, water and sewer systems; invasive plants and animals moving North, and changing water levels which affect barge and ferry operations, according to the presentation.

"In the NWT, we feel the strongest impact of climate change in the world and have seen changes in seasonal patterns," said Jim Sparling, manager of climate change programs for ENR. "It can be measured here by what you see in the permafrost. The farther North you go, the greater the change."

Since the GNWT first instituted the strategy in 2001, much has changed in terms of climate change awareness. In 2007, when the most recent strategy was enacted, the GNWT targeted a reduction of its own emissions to 10 per cent below 2001 levels by this year. GNWT emissions in 2001 were 53.6 kilotonnes. By 2006, GNWT emissions had increased by eight per cent to 58.2 kilotonnes.

According to the GNWT, current emission reduction projects and planned projects for 2011 indicate it will meet its 10 per cent reduction target by the end of the year.

In 2001, the strategy acted as a precautionary measure to prevent climate change. In 2011, the GNWT admits that change has already happened and it needs to take action to reduce further changes.

Despite only making up 0.3 per cent of Canada's emissions, the territory's 36 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year out paces the national per capita average of 22 tonnes.

Emissions from all activities in the NWT have averaged below 1,500 kilotonnes since 1999. NWT emissions can vary on an annual basis depending on a number of factors, including a colder heating year or the number of construction projects using more heavy equipment.

"Because we're such a small economy, a new diamond mine could be 10 per cent of the NWT's emissions, while in Ontario it doesn't even register," said Sparling.

With those factors in mind, the GNWT is seeking input from the public on how it can reduce emissions generated by the territory.

Questions posed to the public include whether the GNWT should set sector-specific targets rather than NWT-wide targets, whether the GNWT should research carbon tax or carbon offset options and what is the best way to ensure new homes, buildings and appliances meet energy standards.

People interested in providing input can contact the Department of Environment before the middle of May.

Public meetings will also be held in Fort Liard on May 4, Fort Simpson on May 5, Behchoko on May 10 and Yellowknife on May 11.

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