Community Adaptation and Vulnerability in Arctic Regions (PDF)

Arctic communities are experiencing global, societal and economic pressures
coupled with additional environmental changes. The comparison of local and
indigenous observations with instrumental records clearly illustrates how
Arctic communities, both now and in the past, have adapted to a variety of
changes and risks affecting their livelihoods. Projections of future climate
change indicate a further reduction in sea ice extent and stability, change
to the frequency and intensity of weather events and seasonal transition,
alteration in the abundance and distribution of fish and terrestrial
biodiversity, and lessening permafrost stability. All these factors will
affect Arctic resident's livelihoods and wellbeing.

Under the auspices of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY), the
CAVIAR consortium was formed with partners from all eight Arctic countries
as a response to the need for systematic assessment of community
vulnerabilities and adaptations across the Arctic. The aim of the
interdisciplinary CAVIAR project is to increase understanding of the
vulnerability of Arctic communities to changing societal and environmental
conditions, including climate change. Presented in this volume are the
results and accomplishments drawn from the partnership with local
collaborators from fifteen Arctic communities. In each of the case studies
researchers have documented the conditions and forces that exacerbate or
diminish vulnerabilities in each of the case studies, identified previous
and current adaptation strategies, and assess the prospects for the
development of effective adaptive strategies and policies in the future.