Self-Rated Health, Life Balance and Feeling of Empowerment When Facing Impacts of Permafrost Thaw—A Case Study from Northern Canada

• Published in: Atmosphere
• Main Authors: Ulla Timlin, Justine Ramage, Susanna Gartler, Tanja Nordström, Arja Rautio
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2022
• Subjects: arctic; climate change; permafrost thaw; self-rated health; life balance; feeling of empowerment; Meteorology. Climatology; QC851-999; Arctic; Canada; Climate change; permafrost
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13050789; https://doaj.org/article/abd6e36a25a74e3ab32c1abde535b0b2

Climate warming in Arctic Canada, e.g., permafrost thaw, comprehensively impacts biota and the environment, which then affects the lives of people. This study aimed to investigate which perceived environmental and adaptation factors relate to self-rated well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life (sum variable = life balance), self-rated health, and feeling of empowerment to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. The study sample was collected from one community using a questionnaire (n = 53) and analyzed by cross-tabulation. Results indicated that most participants had at least good well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life, and a medium level of health, and over 40% assessed being empowered to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. Problems and challenges associated with permafrost thaw, e.g., health, traditional lifeways, and infrastructure, were recognized; these had impacts on life balance, feeling of empowerment, and self-rated health. Traditional knowledge regarding adaptation to face changes was seen as important. More adaptation actions from the individual to global level seemed to be needed. This study provides an overview of the situation in one area, but more research, with a larger study sample, should be conducted to achieve a deeper understanding of climate-related impacts on life and holistic well-being.