New risks, new strategies: Greenlandic Inuit responses to climate change

• Main Author: Derry, Kimberly Wolfe
• Other Authors: Kwiatkowski, Lynn, Galvin, Kathy, Stallones, Lorann
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Colorado State University. Libraries 2007
• Subjects: climate change; Uummannaq; Greenland; Inuit; Arctic; Climate change; greenlandic; inuit; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10217/51788

2011 Summer. Includes bibliographical references. As climate change accelerates, its effects are especially pronounced in the Arctic region. The Arctic has a history of susceptibility and vulnerability to climate change. The Arctic's indigenous peoples are facing increased challenges, most notably in their abilities to harvest food resources. This thesis uses field research and literature review to explore the ways in which Inuit in Greenland are able to manage their resources and responses to the changing climate conditions, and to prevent and cope with climate related injury. An in-depth analysis of the plight of the Inuit includes discussion of the historical political, social, economic, cultural, and geographical factors that shape and inform their methods of responding to climate change. This thesis describes ways that the Inuit perceive climate change and interact with their changing environment, and the extent to which they apply their traditional ecological knowledge and contemporary technology to survive and shape policy that influences their coping responses. It also discusses Inuit people's vulnerability to injury in relation to climate change. In this thesis, I argue that climate-related changes in sea ice conditions increase vulnerability to potential injury events during travel on ice for Greenlandic Inuit hunters and fishermen, particularly in remote locations. Specifically, individuals living in remote areas have less access to resources that can increase their chances for survival than do their counterparts living in population centers. In general, Inuit employing a wide range of coping responses are better positioned to act in response to climate change in spite of the emerging hazards. In addition, my research illustrates that different individuals within and across Inuit communities will be successful in this regard, which is largely based on historical legacy, intra-community access to resources, and differences within and between communities (including, e.g., gender, age, occupation, ...