Energy in the Arctic
Energy in the Canadian Arctic is big news and big money these days. Climate change has opened Canada’s previously inaccessible Arctic regions up to untapped resource and energy development. But ironically, the Northwest Territories communities of Norman Wells and Inuvik are currently facing an energy crisis.
Despite being located near some of the richest energy reserves in the country, the towns themselves are near an energy crisis point. By 2014 both business and residences will have to be on another energy source.
What are the alternatives for Norman Wells and Inuvik? How are residents and businesses planning to cope? With some locals seeing this as an opportunity to explore green energy options, might these communities become a model for other northern regions in Canada? What lessons are there for southern Canada from the Norman Wells and Inuvik experience?
Eye on the Arctic travelled to Norman Wells and Inuvik earlier to highlight some of these questions in these photo essays.
INUVIK: A look at how the natural gas crisis is affecting Inuvik, Northwest Territories
Related Link:
Feature Interview: Why wood pellets might help communities like Norman Wells and Inuvik in Canada’s North: Eilís Quinn, Radio Canada International
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca