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Integrating local and scientific weather knowledge as a strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Arctic

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Abstract

As the climate warms, stressors are developing that challenge the adaptive capabilities of Arctic peoples. In Nunavut, one of Canada’s Arctic territories, increased weather variability and changes in physical and climatic conditions are having profound effects on residents. One problem is that while these changes have magnified risks associated with travel and land-based activities, individuals lack sufficiently reliable and useful information on which to base decisions. In this paper, we argue that weather-related risk assessment can be improved by integrating local and scientific weather knowledge and making this information accessible to residents through the creation of weather hazards impact advisory groups. We present a qualitative case study of Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, using data from participant observation and semi-structured interviews conducted with indigenous and non-indigenous long-term residents in summer 2009. We examine how long-term residents of Iqaluit acquire, perceive, and use both local and scientific weather knowledge. We find that various barriers, such as a lack of land-based experience, cultural and linguistic differences, and an absence of social networks, prevent most people from obtaining all the information required to make fully informed decisions about the risks associated with land-based activities at different locations. Experienced hunters are perceived to be a reliable source of weather-related information, while scientific weather knowledge is not as accessible or informative as it could be. Increasing the potential use of traditional and scientific hazardous weather knowledge, by making both more universally accessible, can enhance strategies for adapting to climate change in the Arctic.

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Notes

  1. See Huntington and Fox (2005) and Jack et al. (2010) for a critical discussion of these terms.

  2. A knot is a unit of speed defined as 1.852 km per hour.

  3. “Humidex” is an index combining temperature and humidity used to describe how an average person perceives hot air through skin. “Wind chill” is an index which takes into account how wind makes cold air feel colder on skin.

  4. See Henshaw’s (2006b) study on the use of toponyms in the southern Baffin Island area as navigational aids and for cultural preservation.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for this research was provided by ArcticNet Network of Centres of Excellence, Storm Studies in the Arctic (STAR) Network through the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, The Northern Scientific Training Program, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, and the University of Western Ontario. We are grateful for the assistance and participation of Daniel Coulombe from the Iqaluit Weather Office, meteorologists David Baggaley, Yvonne Bilan-Wallace, Ed Hudson, and Bob Kochtubajda with the MSC, Jamal Shirley and the Nunavut Research Institute in Iqaluit, Lazarus Arreak and Eileen Kilabuk-Weber, who provided interpretation and translation services, the Amarok Hunters and Trappers Association in Iqaluit, and the residents of Iqaluit. We also extend thanks to the anonymous reviewers for their considered comments and suggestions, which helped us improve the article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

    Karen Pennesi

  2. Department of Geography, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

    Jadah Arokium

  3. Departments of Geography and Political Science, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

    Gordon McBean

  4. Department of Anthropology, Social Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C2

    Karen Pennesi

Authors
  1. Karen Pennesi
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  2. Jadah Arokium
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karen Pennesi.

Appendix

Appendix

The following questions are taken from the interview schedule used in this research to illustrate the kind of data the project generated.

Participant background:

  1. 1.

    How long have you lived in Iqaluit?

  2. 2.

    Do you get out on the land with work? Pleasure? Both?

  3. 3.

    How often do you get out on the land? How long are the trips?

Hazardous weather in different seasons or pertaining to various activities:

  1. 1.

    What would you consider to be hazardous weather?

  2. 2.

    In the summer (fall, winter, spring), what kind of weather poses a concern?

  3. 3.

    Are there certain months or times of the year when you will avoid travel?

  4. 4.

    When you travel by boat/snowmobile are there certain routes that are more/less hazardous?

Impacts of hazardous weather and related events:

  1. 1.

    Have abrupt changes in the weather ever left you stranded out on the land?

  2. 2.

    Have you ever experienced damage to your property (e.g. house, cabin, equipment, building materials) due to storms or other bad weather?

Weather information:

  1. 1.

    How do you receive weather information (including your own knowledge)?

  2. 2.

    Do you share/listen to weather updates on your CB radio?

  3. 3.

    When on the land/in town is there any information that you don’t have but wish you did?

  4. 4.

    If you saw that Environment Canada was predicting a storm/strong winds, etc. do you sometimes use your own discretion and go out anyway?

  5. 5.

    How do you keep watch of impending hazardous weather when on the land?

  6. 6.

    What are some suggestions you think would help improve access to weather information?

Social networks and communication of information:

  1. 1.

    Do you feel that you have a lot of people you can turn to here for help in times of hazardous weather?

  2. 2.

    Do you consult with others about the weather?

  3. 3.

    Are there certain people you would ask for advice before going out on a trip?

Preparedness:

  1. 1.

    Do you think the City of Iqaluit is prepared to deal with weather-related emergencies?

  2. 2.

    What do you do to prepare for bad weather when a storm warning is issued?

  3. 3.

    When you’re going out on the land, what kind of things do you do to prepare?

  4. 4.

    Do you bring a CB radio or other communication devices?

Hazardous weather in town versus on the land:

  1. 1.

    Have you experienced weather in town that poses a threat to you and/or your family?

  2. 2.

    How have closures (of institutions, offices) had an impact on your day-to-day life/your business?

  3. 3.

    Is weather experienced out on the land different than what is forecast for Iqaluit (the town)?

Changes in hazardous weather and related events:

  1. 1.

    Have you noticed changes in the weather?

  2. 2.

    Is predicting or forecasting the weather different today than it used to be?

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Pennesi, K., Arokium, J. & McBean, G. Integrating local and scientific weather knowledge as a strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Arctic. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 17, 897–922 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-011-9351-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-011-9351-5

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