Gilbert, LietteBigioni, Isabella2026-11-022026-11-022026-08-31Major Paper, Master of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York Universityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10315/44113Climate change is transforming the Canadian Arctic at an unprecedented rate, creating significant implications for Canada’s geopolitical sovereignty. Accelerated Arctic warming, driven by Arctic amplification, is altering the region’s physical geography through declining sea ice, permafrost degradation, changing ocean circulation, and increasing environmental variability. These changes are expanding accessibility, reshaping strategic interests, and challenging the environmental landscape where Canadian sovereignty has historically been based. This research examines the question: How does accelerated temperature rise in the Canadian Arctic impact Canada’s ability to protect its geopolitical sovereignty? Using an interdisciplinary qualitative research design, this study combines environmental science, political geography, and security studies to examine the relationship between Arctic climate change and Canadian sovereignty. Increased maritime accessibility, growing geopolitical competition, infrastructure vulnerability from permafrost degradation, and the expanding role of Indigenous governance collectively illustrate that sovereignty can no longer be understood solely through territorial possession or military presence. Effective sovereignty now depends on Canada’s capacity to adapt its governance institutions, defence policies, and infrastructure systems to a rapidly changing Arctic environment. This research argues that climate change should be understood not only as an environmental issue but also as a defining challenge for Canadian governance and national security. By integrating physical geography with environmental governance and geopolitical analysis, this study demonstrates that the future of Canadian Arctic sovereignty will depend on adaptive, collaborative, and resilient governance capable of responding to continued environmental transformation while balancing defence, environmental stewardship, reconciliation, and international cooperation.enGeopolitical sovereigntyArctic climate changeArctic amplificationSecurity and defencePolitical ecologyAdaptive governanceResearch Paper