7.2 Adaptation and resilience strategies

Arctic communities are adapting to climate change by adjusting hunting practices, relocating settlements, and improving infrastructure. These strategies help them cope with shifting animal populations, coastal erosion, and thawing permafrost.

Traditional knowledge plays a crucial role in adaptation. Indigenous understanding of local ecosystems informs effective strategies. Collaboration between communities, researchers, and policymakers ensures this knowledge is respected and integrated into planning.

Adaptation Strategies for Arctic Communities

Adjusting Hunting and Fishing Practices

Top images from around the web for Adjusting Hunting and Fishing Practices

• 

  Melting Arctic sea ice is changing bowhead whale migrations, study finds - South Africa Today View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Adapting yourself to take action on the environment | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Evaluating the Effects of Climate Change on Indigenous Marine Mammal Hunting in ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Melting Arctic sea ice is changing bowhead whale migrations, study finds - South Africa Today View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Adapting yourself to take action on the environment | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Adjusting Hunting and Fishing Practices

• 

  Melting Arctic sea ice is changing bowhead whale migrations, study finds - South Africa Today View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Adapting yourself to take action on the environment | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Evaluating the Effects of Climate Change on Indigenous Marine Mammal Hunting in ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Melting Arctic sea ice is changing bowhead whale migrations, study finds - South Africa Today View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Adapting yourself to take action on the environment | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Arctic communities are adapting to climate change by adjusting the timing and location of hunting and fishing activities to better align with changing animal populations and sea ice conditions
• New technologies and techniques are being employed to access shifting animal populations and navigate changing sea ice conditions more safely and effectively
• Examples of adaptations include using GPS and satellite imagery to track animal movements, switching to more flexible and mobile hunting equipment (snowmobiles, boats with shallower drafts), and developing new methods for preserving and storing food (community freezers, drying racks)

Relocating Threatened Settlements

• Some Arctic communities are actively planning or considering the relocation of settlements that are threatened by coastal erosion, permafrost thaw, and rising sea levels as a result of climate change
• Relocation efforts involve complex decision-making processes that must take into account a wide range of financial, social, and cultural factors and challenges for the affected communities
• Examples of communities that have relocated or are planning to relocate include Newtok, Alaska (moved to Mertarvik due to erosion and permafrost thaw), and Shishmaref, Alaska (voted to relocate due to coastal erosion but facing funding challenges)

Improving Infrastructure Resilience

• Arctic communities are investing in infrastructure adaptations to build more resilient homes, roads, and other structures that can better withstand the impacts of climate change, such as thawing permafrost and extreme weather events
• New materials and designs are being used in construction to improve the structural integrity and insulation of buildings, such as using steel pilings instead of wood for foundations, and incorporating passive ventilation and drainage systems to reduce permafrost thaw
• Examples of infrastructure adaptations include the use of thermosyphons to keep permafrost frozen beneath buildings and roads (Inuvik, Canada), and the installation of flexible water and sewer pipes that can accommodate ground movement (Nunavut, Canada)

Investing in Renewable Energy

• Arctic communities are investing in renewable energy systems, such as wind and solar power, to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and increase their energy security in the face of changing environmental conditions and transportation challenges
• Renewable energy projects can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and create local employment opportunities in Arctic communities
• Examples of renewable energy projects in the Arctic include the Qikiqtaaluk Solar Project in Nunavut, Canada (provides up to 10% of the community's electricity needs), and the Kongiganak Wind-Diesel Hybrid Power System in Alaska (reduces diesel fuel consumption by up to 30%)

Traditional Knowledge in Adaptation

Understanding Local Ecosystems

• Traditional knowledge encompasses a deep understanding of local ecosystems, weather patterns, animal behavior, and resource management practices that have been developed by Arctic Indigenous peoples over centuries of living in close connection with the land and sea
• This knowledge can provide valuable insights into how ecosystems are changing in response to climate change, and can inform the development of effective adaptation strategies that are tailored to local conditions and needs
• Examples of traditional knowledge related to ecosystems include the Inuit understanding of sea ice dynamics and safety (used to navigate and hunt on the ice), and the Sámi knowledge of reindeer herding and pasture management (used to maintain healthy herds and prevent overgrazing)

Informing Adaptation Strategies

• Indigenous communities in the Arctic have long relied on traditional knowledge to adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as by adjusting their hunting and fishing practices in response to shifts in animal migrations or sea ice patterns
• Incorporating traditional knowledge into scientific research and decision-making processes can lead to the development of more holistic and culturally appropriate adaptation strategies that are better suited to the needs and values of Arctic communities
• Examples of adaptation strategies informed by traditional knowledge include the use of community-based monitoring programs to track changes in local ecosystems (e.g., the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Society), and the incorporation of Indigenous place names and land use practices into climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans (e.g., the Nunavut Climate Change Partnership)

Collaborative Knowledge Integration

• Collaborative efforts between Indigenous communities, researchers, and policymakers are essential for ensuring that traditional knowledge is respected, valued, and effectively integrated into adaptation planning and implementation processes
• These collaborations can take many forms, such as community-based participatory research projects, co-management arrangements for natural resources, and the establishment of Indigenous knowledge centers and networks
• Examples of collaborative knowledge integration initiatives include the Inuit Circumpolar Council's "Inuit Nunangat Declaration on Inuit-Crown Partnership" (which calls for the co-development of policies and programs based on Inuit knowledge and priorities), and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium's "Center for Environmentally Threatened Communities" (which provides technical assistance and funding for community-led adaptation projects)

Effectiveness of Adaptation Approaches

Context-Specific Factors

• The effectiveness of adaptation strategies can vary depending on a wide range of context-specific factors, such as the environmental, social, and cultural conditions of the community, the scale and timeframe of implementation, and the level of community engagement and support
• Adaptation approaches that are based on a deep understanding of local contexts and that are developed in close collaboration with affected communities are more likely to be effective and sustainable in the long term
• Examples of context-specific adaptation strategies include the use of traditional Inuit ice cellars to store food in permafrost (which may become less reliable as permafrost thaws), and the development of community-based wildlife management plans that take into account local hunting practices and values (e.g., the Inuvialuit Community-Based Monitoring Program)

Limitations and Trade-Offs

• Some adaptation strategies, such as relocation or infrastructure upgrades, can be costly and time-consuming to implement, and may not be feasible for all Arctic communities due to financial or logistical constraints
• Adaptation efforts that focus solely on technological solutions, without addressing the underlying social, economic, and political drivers of vulnerability, may have limited effectiveness in building long-term resilience
• Examples of potential limitations and trade-offs in adaptation include the high costs and social disruption associated with community relocation (e.g., the relocation of Kivalina, Alaska, is estimated to cost $400 million), and the potential environmental impacts of new infrastructure projects (e.g., the construction of seawalls or artificial islands to protect against coastal erosion)

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation strategies are essential for assessing their effectiveness over time, identifying unintended consequences or limitations, and making necessary adjustments to improve outcomes
• This requires the development of robust indicators and methodologies for measuring the social, economic, and environmental impacts of adaptation interventions, as well as the establishment of long-term monitoring programs and feedback mechanisms
• Examples of monitoring and evaluation approaches for adaptation include the use of community-based vulnerability assessments and risk mapping (e.g., the Nunavut Climate Change Partnership), and the development of adaptation tracking systems and databases (e.g., the Arctic Adaptation Exchange portal)

Collaboration for Arctic Adaptation

Engaging Arctic Communities

• Engaging Arctic communities as equal partners in the adaptation planning and implementation process is crucial for ensuring that strategies are culturally appropriate, socially acceptable, and aligned with local needs, priorities, and values
• This requires building trust, respect, and long-term relationships between communities, governments, researchers, and other stakeholders, as well as creating opportunities for meaningful participation and decision-making at all stages of the adaptation process
• Examples of community engagement approaches include the use of participatory mapping and scenario planning workshops (e.g., the Alaskan "Community Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change" project), and the establishment of community-based monitoring and knowledge sharing networks (e.g., the Local Environmental Observer Network)

Government Support and Policies

• Governments at all levels (local, regional, national, and international) play a key role in providing financial, technical, and institutional support for adaptation initiatives in the Arctic, as well as creating enabling policies and regulations that promote resilience-building
• This includes funding for research, infrastructure, and capacity-building programs, as well as the development of adaptation plans, guidelines, and standards that are tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of the Arctic region
• Examples of government support for adaptation include the Canadian government's "Climate Change Preparedness in the North" program (which provides funding for community-based adaptation projects), and the Arctic Council's "Framework for Action on Enhanced Black Carbon and Methane Emissions Reductions" (which aims to reduce short-lived climate pollutants in the Arctic)

Research and Knowledge Co-Production

• Researchers can contribute valuable scientific knowledge and tools to inform adaptation decision-making in the Arctic, while also learning from and respecting the traditional knowledge and experiences of Arctic communities
• This requires a collaborative approach to research that emphasizes knowledge co-production, mutual learning, and the integration of different ways of knowing and understanding the world
• Examples of research and knowledge co-production initiatives include the "Arctic Resilience Report" (which brought together researchers and Indigenous knowledge holders to assess the resilience of Arctic social-ecological systems), and the "Snowchange Cooperative" (which works with Indigenous communities in Finland to document and share traditional knowledge and observations of environmental change)