| Summary: | This collaboration of Kruse, University of Alaska, Anchorage (0638408, LEAD) and Hamilton, University of New Hampshire (0638413) is part of the Arctic Observation Network (AON), initiated as part of the International Polar Year, and will implement phase one human dimension priorities of the Study of Arctic Environmental Change (SEARCH) program. This Human Dimension Observation System is designed to become part of a network of measurement systems developed within SEARCH. The goal of the researchers is to understand how socio-economic systems respond to rapid environmental change, and how local response interacts with broad forces of development and government policies to affect the well-being of Arctic residents. They will integrate existing data for key variables identified by the Committee: population size and structure, births, deaths, migration, health measures, cultural diversity, education, and economic indicators, including employment, subsistence, and government structure. For this study, they have identified stakeholder groups in each of the "arenas of climate-human interaction" (i.e., marine mammal hunting, fisheries, resource development) and have formed an advisory group made up of representatives of the following indigenous organizations: RAIPON, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Saami Council, Maniilaq, North Slope Borough, Makivik Corp., and the Labrador Inuit Association. The project will focus on four arenas likely to involve climate-human interactions: marine mammal hunting; oil, gas, and mineral development; tourism; and fisheries. A fifth project focus is on indicators of social outcomes of human interactions with environmental change. As part of AON, the project is designed to foster integrated analysis across the physical, natural, and social sciences.
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