Ryan: Wow...that is one big ice cube!

Inukshuk: That, my friend, is an iceberg. I guess you could say it is a big ice cube in the Atlantic Ocean. Here in Labrador, icebergs are such a common sight the people who live here even call themselves Sikumiut - the people of the sea and ice. There certainly are a lot of icebergs on the Labrador coast.

Morgan: And a lot of seals from what I hear. Mmmm, seal meat ... My people love to eat it, as well as fish and caribou, and geese and...

Inukshuk: (interrupting) Well then, you'll be interested to know that here in Labrador; the changing climate is affecting the ways in which people harvest country foods including seals. And, there is some research that shows that climate change is affecting them in other ways.

Ryan: How did they find this out?

Inukshuk: A study conducted a couple of years ago gathered observations of climate change from the people who live here. In some cases, this information corresponds remarkably well with scientific data.

Ryan: What did they find in Labrador?

Inukshuk: The scientists were able to show ways in which climate change is potentially affecting the health of the people who live on the North coast of Labrador.

Morgan: You mean the Sikumiut. Their health is affected because it is getting warmer?

Inukshuk: Well, as I said, a few years ago some scientists came here to document what the people are experiencing due to climate change. They looked at existing scientific reports and listened carefully to what the people who live here are saying. In the end, what the people were saying matched what other scientists have found about the temperature and weather in some places and not in others. And, the researchers were able to identify ways in which climate change is having an impact on everyone's lives and their health.

Ryan: What did they find out? Are those big ice cubes melting and flooding the towns?

Inukshuk: No, not exactly. Although some scientists who work on changes in temperature and climate predictions have been saying that climate change will bring cooler temperatures to the Labrador coast...

Morgan: (Interrupting) Cooler! I thought we were talking about climate change. You know, global warming!

Inukshuk: That is exactly the reason why it is so important for scientists to talk to the people who have lived so close to the land all their lives. Even though some studies have said that Labrador should be experiencing a cooling effect, the people who live here tell a different story. Listen to what the local people are saying about climate change:

- It was so hot, it was hard to breathe around our camping area where we fish. (female voice)

- I tended to my nets and my wife said she was not able to stay on the land because she found it too hot...I decided to stay on the land and take care of our char. I should have went because I almost suffocated because of the heat; I had to keep splashing myself with water and in the afternoon I couldn't stay on the land because it was so hot. I had to stay in the water to stay cool...my breathing was even shallow. (male voice)

- There are more fierce fall storms now. Before, it was nothing like the storms and strong winds we get now. (male voice)

Ryan: People are finding it too hot to even breathe?

Inukshuk: Well, warmer temperatures and changed precipitation patterns may lead to breathing difficulties among some people, especially those people with things like asthma, or older people.

Morgan: The man mentioned storms. How do more storms affect your health?

Inukshuk: That's a good question. For some people, storms can be a very stressful experience. And, if a violent storm picks up when you are out on the land hunting or fishing, you might get stranded for days, or even worse.

Ryan: I sure wouldn't like to be stranded on the ice during a big storm. What are people doing because of climate change?

Inukshuk: Interesting question, my friend. The people in Labrador have been doing exactly what they have been doing for centuries to survive changes in their environment - they have been adapting to it.

Morgan: Adapting? You mean like modifying the ways they do everyday things to deal with all of the changes around them? Like checking to see that there aren't any big storms coming or not doing hard work outside if it is a very hot day?

Inukshuk: Exactly! We can all make little changes in our lives to minimize the impacts that climate change may have on our lives and our health!

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