Climate change and First Nations south of 60

First Nations north of 60 degrees latitude have observed many changes such as melting permafrost, shortening and warming of the winter season, decline in the amount of sea ice, and changes to plants and wildlife including increased number and new species of insects and shifting vegetation zones. [...] However, on the path back towards the universe, atmospheric gases can block some of the reflected sunlight, which then returns to the earth’s surface and contributes to the warming of the planet. [...] Some of these differences, as reported by Environment Canada include: • 1 to 4ºC increase in average temperature in British Columbia in the 21st century; • 3 to 5ºC increase in the Prairie regions; • 2 to 6ºC increase in the Yukon; • 5 ºC increase in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut; • 2 to 5ºC increase in Ontario; • 4 to 6ºC increase in Quebec; and, • 3 to 4ºC increase in the Atlantic Provin [...] The First Nation who has cultural and historical ties to the caribou will find it harder to adapt to changes in behaviour or loss of their keystone species and the adaptation strategies they choose may not be as successful or applicable to the First Nation whose culture and history is tied to several big game species. [...] The changes in snow and ice due to warmer winter weather will have profound negative impacts on the construction of winter roads and thus the transport of goods and services.