Vulnerability to climate change in Arctic Canada

• Main Author: Ford, James David
• Other Authors: Smit, Barry
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 2006
• Subjects: vulnerability; climate change; Arctic Canada; exposure-sensitivity; biophysical stresses; adaptive capacity; Arctic bay; Climate change; Igloolik; inuit; Nunavut; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10214/21477

This thesis is an investigation of vulnerability to climate change in Arctic Canada. It develops a conceptual model and analytical approach to guide vulnerability analysis. The model conceptualizes vulnerability as a function of exposure-sensitivity to biophysical stresses and adaptive capacity to cope with these stresses. Both model elements are closely inter-linked and influenced by process and conditions endogenous and exogenous to the system of interest. The analytical framework utilizes community case studies to analyze vulnerability and its drivers. It starts by characterizing current vulnerability, which provides an empirical foundation and baseline for assessment of future vulnerability. Using case studies in two Inuit communities in the Canadian territory of Nunavut (Arctic Bay and Igloolik), 119 interviews were conducted. Interviews were complemented with participant observation and analysis of secondary sources. The work largely focuses on vulnerabilities surrounding resource harvesting, identified by communities as being most pertinent to their livelihoods. The study highlights the dynamic nature of vulnerability. A combination of changing climatic conditions superimposed on changes in harvesting behaviour has altered, and tended to increase, the exposure-sensitivity of both communities. In light of changing exposure-sensitivity, Inuit have demonstrated significant adaptive capacity. This adaptability is facilitated by traditional Inuit knowledge, strong social networks, and flexibility in seasonal hunting cycles. Changing Inuit livelihoods, however, have undermined certain aspects of adaptive capacity, and have resulted in emerging vulnerabilities. Future climate change will affect biophysical conditions to which Inuit in Arctic Bay and Igloolik are currently exposed. Decreasing sea-ice thickness, longer ice freeze-up, earlier sea ice break-up, changing occurrence of weather extremes, and alterations in animal numbers will increase the dangers of hunting, decrease access to hunting areas, and affect ...