Truck on Winter Highway
Impact

Winter Sea Ice

Increasing sea surface temperatures are resulting in less winter sea ice along Newfoundland and Labrador's coasts. This could bring some opportunities in the form of fewer ice-related ferry delays and potential new routes. However, sea ice is also very important to many residents of the province, including Aboriginal peoples, who depend on sea ice as a winter highway to access traditional food, wood, and other communities. Portions of winter trails between coastal Labrador communities include sea ice, and changing conditions have hindered trail marking and grooming in recent years. The Nain Research Centre's SmartICE (Sea-ice Monitoring and Real-Time Information for Coastal Environments) initiative is working to address knowledge gaps about these impacts by integrating remote sensing, adaptive technology, and traditional Inuit knowledge.

About This Tool

This application was created by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. It is designed to provide a broad overview of how climate change is impacting Newfoundland and Labrador, and facilitate meeting curriculum outcomes for the high school course Environmental Science 3205.

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