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Climate Change Vulnerability and Food Security in Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland

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Community Adaptation and Vulnerability in Arctic Regions

Abstract

This chapter presents results from an exploratory study of food system vulnerability in the municipality of Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland, characterizing the exposure-sensitivities and adaptive capacity of the food system to stressors associated with climate and climate change in the context of changing livelihoods. The ability of community members to access culturally relevant foods of sufficient quantity and quality is discussed within the context of social, economic, political and environmental change in Greenland. The Qeqertarsuaq food system was found to be particularly sensitive to climate variability and change through the dependence of many residents on subsistence livelihoods and the isolated location of the community, leading to often unpredictable store food shipments. Recent warming has been linked to a reduction in sea ice extent with noticeable changes in the availability of harp seals, and the migration of eider duck populations. The effects of these exposures on food system vulnerability in Qeqertarsuaq are mediated by the role of food sharing and trading in the community, hunter support programs, knowledge gained through the experience of previous climate variability, and the presence of a diverse food system including both traditional and store food sectors- all factors that strengthen adaptive capacity.

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Acknowledgements

We greatly appreciate the support and collaboration of community members and local organizations in Qeqertarsuaq who made this research possible. We send special thanks to local researchers Ulloriaq and Linda Grønvold who helped organize, translate and administer the study, in addition to generously providing interview space in the local museum. Thanks also to Lea Berrang-Ford who helped develop the survey methodology. This paper benefitted from the contributions of Jean-Sébastien Boutet and Tanya Smith. Adam Bonnycastle produced Fig. 11.1. Financial support for this research was provided by the International Polar Year CAVIAR project and SSHRC.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL, Canada, A1B 3X9

    Christina Goldhar

  2. Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    James D. Ford

Authors
  1. Christina Goldhar
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  2. James D. Ford
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christina Goldhar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Research - Oslo CICERO, Center for International Climate and, Oslo, 0318, Norway

    Grete K. Hovelsrud

  2. , Department of Geography, University of Guelph, Stone Road East 50, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Barry Smit

Appendix: Section 4 of the Survey Questions

Appendix: Section 4 of the Survey Questions

  1. 1.

    Some people might say, ‘We worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more or were able to go hunting or fishing.’ In the last 12 months, did that happen often, sometimes, or never for you or your household?

  2. 2.

    Some people might say, ‘The food that we bought, hunted or fished just didn’t last, and we were not able to get more.’ In the last 12 months did that happen often, sometimes, or never for your household?

  3. 3.

    Some people might say, ‘We couldn’t afford to eat healthy meals.’ In the last 12 months did this happen often, sometimes, or never for your household?

  4. 4.

    Since March last year, did you or other adults in your household ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn’t enough food?

  5. 5.

    In the last 12 months, did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn’t enough food?

  6. 6.

    In the last 12 months, were you ever hungry but didn’t eat because you couldn’t afford enough food OR were not able go hunting or fishing?

  7. 7.

    In the last 12 months, did you lose weight because you didn’t eat enough food?

  8. 8.

    In the last 12 months, did you or other adults in your household ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn’t enough food?

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Goldhar, C., Ford, J.D. (2010). Climate Change Vulnerability and Food Security in Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland. In: Hovelsrud, G., Smit, B. (eds) Community Adaptation and Vulnerability in Arctic Regions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9174-1_11

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