Elders are reporting the same changes as scientists (see question above):
- Sea ice conditions have changed; the ice is thinner, freezes up later and melts earlier. Similar observations have been made for lake ice.
- Aniuvat (permanent snow patches) are decreasing in size. There is more rain, and snow and ice forms later in the year and melts earlier (the quantity and timing of precipitation is changing).
- The weather is unpredictable and doesn’t follow the patterns it did in the elders' youth. The weather changes faster than it used to, with storms blowing up unexpectedly.
- Water levels have gone down, making it hard or impossible to travel by boat in certain areas (partly due to isostatic rebound; see below for explanation).
- Temperatures are warmer throughout the year.
- New species of insects, birds, and animals have been observed.
- The land has been noticed to be drier and the stability of the permafrost is changing.
- The length and timing of seasons have changed.
FAQ Category