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Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity in Arctic Communities

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Adaptive Capacity and Environmental Governance

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Environmental Management ((SSEM))

Abstract

The Community Adaptation and Vulnerability in Arctic Regions (CAVIAR) project connects case study research from across the Arctic with a framework for conceptualizing and investigating conditions that contribute to vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Case studies address research and policy needs by characterizing conditions to which people are exposed and sensitive, and the types of adaptive responses undertaken in Arctic communities. Adaptive strategies reflect the application of resources and capabilities to solve or manage problems that threaten individual or community well-being. The interplay between local and global conditions influences flexibility and diversity of institutions, livelihoods, economic activities and other social processes that are important, linked dimensions of adaptive strategies and adaptive capacity in Arctic communities. It appears that capacity to adapt to climate and other changes will be highest where local institutions are strong, have broad community support and good linkages to external governance institutions with commitment to Arctic community well-being.

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Acknowledgements

The CAVIAR project is an international collaboration and would not be possible without the willingness of researchers involved in the project to share their research, experience, and insight from working in the wide range of Arctic communities engaged in the project; this includes not only principal investigators but also the many graduate students and research assistants so often the unsung heroes of fieldwork and, perhaps most especially, the many residents and members of the communities themselves who give frequently and repeatedly of their time as research partners, guides, informants and hosts, and especially the without whom a project of this breadth would not be possible. Individual case study researchers have contributed substantively to the empirical data, ideas, and analysis presented in this chapter. In particular, we thank and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of (in alphabetical order) Elena Alexandrova, Helene Amundsen, Derek Armitage, Trevor Bell, Ryan Brown, Tatiana Bulgakova, Shauna BurnSilver, Halvor Dannevig, Frank Duerden, Níels Einarsson, James Ford, Carina Keskitalo, Gary Kofinas, Ralph Matthews, Tristan Pearce, Jason Prno, Stine Rybråten, Anna Stammler-Gossmann, Monica Tennberg, Terhi Vuojala-Magga, Sonia Wesche, and Jennifer West. Any errors or omissions are, of course, the responsibility of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia, 6303 North West Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z1

    Robin Sydneysmith

  2. Department of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

    Mark Andrachuk & Barry Smit

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

    Grete K. Hovelsrud

Authors
  1. Robin Sydneysmith
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  2. Mark Andrachuk
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  3. Barry Smit
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  4. Grete K. Hovelsrud
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robin Sydneysmith .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Geography &, Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, N2L 3C5, Canada

    Derek Armitage

  2. Dept. Tourism & Environment, Brock University, Glenridge Ave. 500, St. Catharines, L2S 3A1, Canada

    Ryan Plummer

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Sydneysmith, R., Andrachuk, M., Smit, B., Hovelsrud, G.K. (2010). Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity in Arctic Communities. In: Armitage, D., Plummer, R. (eds) Adaptive Capacity and Environmental Governance. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12194-4_7

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