Date: February 8, 2006
Weather: -12°C and Clear
Sunrise: 10:47
Sunset: 17:31

Ok, absolutely the temperature has dropped a little, but it is still very reasonable for the time of year and the location; more than reasonable actually. Most folks here are pretty happy about the reprieve from the horrors of forty below. Others, however, are concerned. Cold temperatures are a way of life here, and I suppose, in a way they give life.

Most of the culture here is based upon survival in the Arctic and the resources it has to offer. The moose and the caribou, and the many other species of animal that live here, and give sustenance to the people, depend on a cold environment, a stable cold environment. Wild fluctuations in temperature like this can lead to problems. Ice melts early, game animal migration patterns change abruptly, flora changes (which affects fauna), and fish find it hard to survive.

I suppose it’s a bit egotistical of me to relate all these changes to the effects they have on humans, but fair is fair. In all likelihood, we created a situation where these changes are occurring, and now we are suffering for it. Check that - the folks who are suffering are not necessarily the ones who caused it – but then I’m talking globally here.

The sun is burning brightly for almost six hours now. Every ten days we pick up another hour or so. So by the end of March we should be up to half a day of sunlight – not bad for above the Arctic Circle!

Cheers!