Today the coastal communities of Alaska face a host of challenges brought about by changing climatic conditions. Reduced sea ice cover and melting permafrost severely compromise community physical stability, travel, and personal safety. Warming ocean and land temperatures alter species’ movements and abundance. Meat can no longer be safely stored in melting permafrost pits. It is clear that, as climate change alters the physical and natural land- and sea-scape, so too does it erode community cultural stability.
This theme integrates the study of the Arctic Coastal Zone, with the focusing concept “cultures and landscapes in transition”. The key objective is to foster a long term strategy for response by learning how to better inform Alaskans about the nature, extent, and technical aspects of coastal zone erosion problems as well as learn from Alaskans about their social and ecological environmental concerns. This will place information into the hands of those who are best at response and adaptation – the coastal residents themselves.
This theme assembles the triad foundation necessary to tackle this work: communities, social sciences, physical sciences.
Drawing from various projects already underway and supporting focused activities from time to time, this theme will build towards its objective of improving the two-way flow of information to the coast to improve adaptive capacity.
Contact the theme leaders to get involved: Peter Schweitzer, Professor of Anthropology (UAF)
Dave Atkinson, Assistant Professor in Atmospheric Science at the International Arctic Research Center (UAF) Orson Smith, Professor of Arctic Engineering (UAA) Progress and Products |
