November 7, 2022 \u2013 Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt- The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is in Egypt for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP27 for the next two weeks. COP27 sees one of the largest Inuit delegations attending an international meeting since the first United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
ICC has produced a position paper for COP 27 with five clear recommendations that highlight Inuit requests to international leaders, the science community, private industry and others. International Inuit Day falls on November 7th, an annual event marking the achievements of Inuit across our homeland of Inuit Nunaat. As part of International Inuit Day, Inuit voices on climate change will be heard across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COP 27 runs from 7 to 18 of November in Sharm El-Sheikh on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. ICC\u2019s delegation includes International Chair Sara Olsvig from Greenland, ICC Canada President Lisa Koperqualuk, as well as elders and youth from Canada, Alaska and Greenland, and representatives from the Canadian Inuit regions of Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDespite the rapid changes and urgent situation, we are facing in our Arctic homeland, we are bringing a positive message to this COP,\u201d says Olsvig. \u201cWe have been experiencing the effects of climate change for decades and solutions need to involve Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples. All parties need to recognize our inherent right of self-determination in decision-making.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inuit have been calling for action on adaptation and the need to make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. The ICC position paper points to the climate disasters seen around the world this year and notes that the Inuit reality of climate change is now a global reality.
\u201cDespite this reality, Inuit bring a hopeful message to COP 27,\u201d says Koperqualuk. \u201cWhile we need to act quickly to keep global temperature increases below the 1.5oC threshold in the Paris Agreement, there is hope for the future. Action needs to be global in nature and that requires determination and collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInuit and other Indigenous Peoples have the knowledge and must be included in any policy making. Our contributions only make decisions stronger and this is a call for the states to include us in our common efforts to create hope for our future generations.\u201d Olsvig agreed. \u201cBy working together to meet the current challenges, we can create a more equitable and just world. And Inuit knowledge and experience can contribute to the solutions we need.\u201d
ICC\u2019s recommendations are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tukumminnguaq Olsen Melodie Lavall\u00e9e Eilene Adams <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ICC (Greenland and Chairs office) ICC (Canada) ICC (Alaska) <\/p>\n\n\n\n