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International Polar Year, the Science Centre Hotel (2, rue de la Commune) will host a major symposium entitled "The USA, climate change and the Regain American interest in a changing region. " A title that can be frightening at first, but dwell a global issue and worrying

"The interest was to involve the USA, the Arctic and climate change. We talk more since the Cold War, "said Joel Plouffe, a researcher and coordinator of the observatory on the USA for the Chair Raoul Dandurand in strategic studies and diplomacy, which orchestrates the event for months.

For the young student researcher at UQÀM, the symposium beautiful join experts from the fields of international politics, the environment or geography, the subject and interventions are no less interesting for the general public.

"What happens in the north is a reflection of what will happen in the south, the decisions that are taken in Ottawa, Washington and Moscow will have any impact on the planet. Also, it is a responsibility that what is happening there. It takes longer protect people who will suffer the decisions of countries and understand the consequences of climate change on the environment, "he says.

Hitchins is a professor emeritus of international relations at the University of Alaska Anchorage. In his presentation on April 19, the British show how his state of adoption, Alaska, has not escaped the effects of melting the ice cap and how the USA are slow to recognize the very existence of changes climate.

"The people and especially the Inuit in northern Alaska are faced with the melting of ice, coastal erosion, and there are even population movements. […] I am optimistic. There are people, the Congress or the Senate, which are for the protection of the environment in Alaska, one of the few remaining places where nature is still predominant. "The professor also believes there who recognize the value human beings more than that of businesses and oil interests, even if it is well recently.

The impacts are already being felt
The ice cap bottom for a long time and consequences are being felt north of here. "There are already displaced populations, industries threatened the already fragile geopolitical is even more fragile. With the opening of the Northwest Passage as space navigation, it awakens the coveted International, "said Joel Plouffe.

Frederic Lasserre, a professor in the Department of Geography at Laval University has already been a boat in the passage that links the Atlantic to the Pacific through the Arctic islands of Greater North Canadian. For now, it is navigable and summer, because it is covered by ice in winter. However, "the ice is formed later in life and the debacle is earlier. The polar bears for example, need the ice to live, "he says. In addition, permafrost is melting and there is already an impact on the Inuit populations who see their roads and their houses damaged. "

Another consequence significant as the teacher is possible thawing of swamps and bogs that are filled with methane. "If it thaws, it creates a powerful greenhouse effect," he know.

"The rest of the world has demonstrations equally significant climate change. Think of Hurricane Katrina. Cold air to the south will cause instability and climate in the sector ".

A problem that is not irreversible
The symposium such as the one to be held in Montreal on 19 and April 20 is just the tip of the iceberg of reflection. "It sure is worrying because my nose stuck inside," says Joel Plouffe. […] What is especially worrying is not to give importance to this new problem. "

"I think one reason why the U.S. administration does not react yet is because they do not realize that global warming will have impacts on their children and grandchildren. I firmly believe that human beings are full of goodness that do not only in economic terms, "says Professor at the University of Alaska, is rejoicing at the same time that the issue of the environment will most certainly the heart of the next American election campaign.