Adapting to a Rapidly Changing Environment: Essential Strategies for Survival

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Adapting to a Rapidly Changing Environment: Essential Strategies for Survival

Two regions in northern Canada are set to explore how climate change impacts their communities beyond just economic loss. This research is part of a larger international effort focusing on the Arctic and Subarctic.

The project will dive into the local food sources, including marine mammals, caribou, fish, and berries. These foods are essential for the health and culture of the people in these regions.

Igah Sanguya, a principal investigator, emphasizes the importance of adapting to environmental changes. Having worked as a community health representative for many years, he believes in preserving traditional food practices for future generations. “We have to keep our food traditions alive,” he states.

Tyanna Steinwand, another lead on the project, remembers when caribou herds were so numerous that they made the land seem alive. “Now it’s our responsibility to protect the land,” she explains. This sentiment reflects a vital shift toward environmental stewardship among local communities.

The study is named “Addressing Unavoidable Non-Economic Losses to Climate-Induced Events for Communities in the Arctic.” It’s one of four projects in Canada receiving $4 million from the federal New Frontiers in Research Fund over four years. This funding aims to highlight the resilience and strengths of Indigenous peoples in the face of climate change.

Experts in the research team, like Sherilee Harper and Susan Chatwood, stress the need to focus on cultural and social losses. Harper, who represents Canada on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, points out that the Arctic is warming three to four times faster than other regions. This warming affects access to traditional foods, impacting nutrition and mental well-being.

The project’s goal is not just to study losses but also to share valuable knowledge. For example, the team aims to help communities exchange skills related to food preparation and preservation. This collaboration includes sharing techniques for cooking traditional dishes, like polar bear meat.

Public discussions about climate change often center around economic loss. Still, many social and cultural aspects are deeply intertwined with the environment. As Harper notes, “These losses can’t be quantified in money, but they are just as important.”

The overall aim is to amplify the voices and experiences of Indigenous communities grappling with these challenges. Sanguya highlights that their insights could offer lessons on resilience that the world could learn from. The narratives from these communities could provide a roadmap for climate adaptation, showcasing how to thrive amid changing environmental conditions.

By focusing on the intersection of food, culture, and climate, this project promises to shed light on the urgent issues faced by northern communities while celebrating their rich traditions.



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Tyanna Steinwand, Sherilee Harper, Susan Chatwood, Igah Sanguya, Amy Caughey, Inuit, Tłı̨chǫ, public health, Canada Research Chair, climate change, food, nutrition, country food, sdg2, hunger, sdg3, well-being, sdg13, climate, sdg16, justice, sdg17, partnership