Climate change – scoping the issues

(iv) Arctic
The polar regions are now experiencing some of the most rapid and severe climate change on earth, which contribute to environmental and socio-economic changes. Indigenous peoples, their culture and the whole ecosystem that they interact with is very much dependent on the cold and the extreme physical conditions of the Arctic region. Indigenous peoples depend on hunting for polar bears, walrus, seals and caribou, herding reindeer, fishing and gathering not only for food to support the local economy, but also as the basis for their cultural and social identity. Some of the concerns facing indigenous peoples include the change in species and availability of traditional food sources, perceived reduction in weather predictions and the safety of travelling in changing ice and weather conditions. All these provide serious challenges to human health and food security.⁸

According to indigenous peoples, the Arctic is becoming an environment at risk because the sea ice is less stable, unusual weather patterns are occurring, vegetation cover is changing, and particular animals are no longer found in traditional hunting areas during specific seasons. Local landscapes, seascapes and icescapes are becoming unfamiliar, making peoples feel like strangers in their own land.⁹

Peoples across the Arctic region report changes in the timing, length and character of the seasons including more rain in autumn and winter and more extreme heat in summer. In several indigenous villages in Alaska, entire communities may have to relocate because of erosion due to the thawing of permafrost and large waves slamming against the west and northern shores. Coastal indigenous communities are severely threatened by storm related erosion because of melting sea ice. Hence, up to 80% of Alaskan communities, comprised mainly of indigenous peoples, are vulnerable to either coastal or river erosion.¹⁰

In Nunavut the elders can longer predict the weather using their traditional knowledge because the weather has become so unpredictable and extreme. Due to drop in water levels, indigenous hunters are no longer able to travel by boats to caribou hunting grounds because of shallow waters. Hence, many important summer hunting grounds cannot be reached. Storage of traditional foods for the winter months is also a major issue for indigenous peoples in the region, especially in the Northwest Territories due to warmer weather. For example, drying and smoking foods is more difficult because the food is pre-cooked in the summer heat.¹¹

In Finland, Norway and Sweden, rain and mild weather during the winter season often prevents reindeer from accessing lichen, which is a vital food source. This has caused massive loss of reindeers. For Saami communities, reindeers are vital to their culture, subsistence and economy. This has forced many reindeer herders to feed their herds with fodder which is expensive and not economically viable in the long term.¹²