In Canada, permafrost-ground frozen for thousands of years, is thawing at an alarming rate due to climate change. This is especially visible in the Northwest Territories, where Indigenous communities face severe erosion, collapsing ground, and widespread infrastructure damage. As the land vanishes, mercury trapped in the frozen soil is released into the ocean, threatening marine ecosystems and traditional food sources. These changes are not only environmental but deeply cultural and some communities, like the Inuvialuit, may soon be forced to relocate, becoming Canada’s first climate refugees.
