2004: An Arctic disaster and its policy implications

• Main Authors: Ronald D. Brunner, Amanda H. Lynch, Jon C. Pardikes, Elizabeth N. Cassano, Leanne R. Lestak, Jason M. Vogel
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic; Pire; Tempêtes; Barrow; Climate change; north slope; Alaska
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.546.6957; http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic57-4-336.pdf

ABSTRACT. The purpose of the research reported here is to help the community in Barrow, Alaska, clarify its vulnerability to extreme weather events, and devise better-informed policies for reducing that vulnerability and adapting to climate variability and change. We examine the worst disaster on record there—a storm that struck on 3 October 1963—from different disciplinary perspectives and in the context of other severe storms. The major policy responses to date have been a beach nourishment program, a feasibility study of additional means of erosion control, and an emergency management plan. Additional possible responses have been identified in the community’s cumulative experience of these storms, but have not yet been fully explored or implemented. Meanwhile, given inherent uncertainties, it is clear that sound policies will allow for corrective action if and when expectations based on the best available knowledge and information turn out to be mistaken. It is also clear that the people of Barrow are in the best position to understand the evolving situation and to decide what to do about it. Key words: policy, disaster, extreme events, adaptation, climate change, Barrow, North Slope RÉSUMÉ. Les travaux de recherche que l’on présente ici ont pour but d’aider la collectivité de Barrow (Alaska) à définir son degré de vulnérabilité à des conditions climatiques extrêmes, et à créer des politiques plus éclairées qui réduiraient cette vulnérabilité et favoriseraient l’adaptation à la variabilité et au changement climatiques. On examine le pire désastre jamais enregistré à cet endroit, soit une tempête qui fit rage le 3 octobre 1963, et ce, sous l’angle de différentes disciplines et dans le contexte d’autres grandes tempêtes. Jusqu’à présent, les politiques majeures d’intervention se sont résumées à un programme de recharge de plage