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ARCTIC COMMUNITIES

The Arctic has been the home and traditional territory of Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years and continues to be populated by vibrant communities.

For people living in the Arctic, climate change is not a distant threat—it is the driving force in many of the environmental, economic and societal transitions affecting the region today. These impacts are especially hard on Indigenous communities.

© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Indigenous Peoples

There are more than 40 Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic. They represent about 10 per cent of the Arctic’s total population of four million.

Of the Arctic coastal peoples, the Inuit are the most widespread, occupying coastlines from Arctic Russia to Canada to Greenland, a span of thousands of kilometres. In some Arctic states and regional political units, Indigenous People are comparatively small minorities. Alaskan Native peoples are estimated to comprise 15 per cent of the state population, while in Greenland, Indigenous People (including persons of mixed origin) make up about 88 per cent of the population.

The Arctic’s Indigenous Peoples once had complete control over the resources in the areas they occupied. That control began to diminish as new arrivals pushed north. In northwestern Europe, that process began many hundreds of years ago, while in parts of Canada, the large-scale arrival of non-Indigenous People is comparatively recent.

Many of the Arctic’s Indigenous Peoples are beginning to regain control over their traditional lands and waters, whether through land claim (modern treaty) processes, or through changes in regional governance that are returning more decision-making powers to them. This process is underpinned internationally by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which most of the Arctic states have endorsed.

How are changes threatening Arctic communities?

© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Climate change is threatening livelihoods and food security

Changes in sea ice, precipitation, snow patterns regimes, temperatures are affecting the availability of traditional foods, such as whales, walrus, seabirds, seals, caribou and even berries. In some areas, tundra greening is changing the ranges of the wildlife species that are important to hunters. For example, reindeer herders in Fennoscandia and Russia have experienced major losses in their herds due to extreme snowfall and rain-on-snow events (when rain falls on snow and freezes, creating an impenetrable layer of ice that prevents the animals from getting to their food).

© James Morgan / WWF-UK

Warming is making transportation risky

The warming climate has also affected how residents travel in many parts of the Arctic. For hunters in northwest Greenland, the period when travel by dogsled on sea ice is possible has decreased to three months from five months. Changes in sea-ice cover can also make transportation over ice dangerous. In addition, thawing permafrost and more frequent rain are making local travel more difficult in remote settlements in Canada and Russia, even with all-terrain vehicles.

© Chris Linder / WWF-US

Permafrost is damaging homes and infrastructure

More than 66 per cent of Arctic settlements are located on ice-rich permafrost—and buildings, roads and other forms of infrastructure are suffering damage as the permafrost thaws in many regions. In fact, the stability of the permafrost has been declining in the Russian Arctic since the 1970s, affecting nearly all of the infrastructure in most settlements on the Taimyr Peninsula. Permafrost slumping (during thawing) poses risks to roads and runways. Coastal erosion rates in the Arctic are among the world’s highest, and are affecting communities, property, infrastructure and livelihoods.

 

© Chris Linder / WWF-US

Extreme climate events are intensifying

Extreme climate events are having major impacts in the Arctic. More than 85 per cent of Native villages in Alaska currently experience some level of flooding and erosion. Heavy snowfall and rainstorms with high winds have induced avalanches, slush flows and landslides on the Svalbard archipelago over the past decade.

The incidence of wildfire has increased in Alaska and Siberia. Wildfire destroys ecosystems, puts lives and property at risk, drives up economic costs, accelerates climate change, creates physical health impacts from smoke and related toxins, and induces stress and anxiety.

Solutions

© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Protect Arctic livelihoods

For thousands of years, Arctic Indigenous peoples have hunted animals for food, clothing and other essential uses. Hunting is still part of the cultural identity of many northern peoples, and for some, still an essential part of their livelihoods. People in northern communities still hunt because the other foods available them are often less healthy than traditional foods and too expensive.

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© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Recognize Indigenous Peoples as equal partners

Arctic states should take clear and genuine actions to recognize Indigenous Peoples as equal partners in stewarding the region and managing its resources. Using the combination of best available scientific evidence, Indigenous Knowledge and local knowledge will help the Arctic adapt to climate change.

© naturepl.com / Bryan and Cherry

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Rapid climate change in the Arctic is seriously affecting the lives and livelihoods of Arctic residents. Traditional ways of life, as well as species and ecosystems, may disappear forever if the world does not take swift, decisive measures to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving up temperatures.

Arctic states, Permanent Participants (Arctic Indigenous Peoples organizations) and observers to the Arctic Council should individually and collectively lead and join sustained, ambitious and global efforts to reduce these emissions and fully implement the Paris Agreement.

© Peter Ewins / WWF-Canada

 Act now to halt biodiversity loss and build resilience

The pressing need to stabilize and reverse the decline of biodiversity in the Arctic requires urgent action at all levels of government and society. These devastating changes to Arctic ecosystems are risking the livelihoods, health and cultural identities of Indigenous and local communities.

© Andrew S. Wright / WWF-Canada

Integrate Indigenous knowledge into plans for the Arctic

The use of Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge in climate change studies allows for the ecological impacts of climate change to be linked with the social and cultural impacts for Indigenous peoples. The passing of knowledge and teachings from generation to generation in the wake of constant and devastating climate change directly impacts Indigenous Peoples’ and communities’ ability to implement and maintain the protection of their rights on these lands and territories.

 

 

What is the WWF Arctic Programme doing?

© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Valuing knowledge

Better integration of science and Indigenous knowledge is critical to ensure the Arctic’s future sustainability. WWF recognizes the value of Indigenous knowledge and seeks ways to consult and work with Indigenous Peoples to determine how best to manage the region’s challenges in this time of unprecedented change.

 

© Peter Ewins / WWF-Canada

Supporting Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ initiatives

WWF frequently supports Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ initiatives and continues to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples on conservation issues to address the challenges of nature loss, climate change, and social and environmental inequalities. For instance, WWF is working with Indigenous People in Alaska, Greenland and Canada to reduce conflict between people and polar bears.

© Kevin Schafer / WWF

Supporting the rights of Indigenous Peoples

WWF supports the rights of Indigenous Peoples as expressed in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. WWF has an international policy on Indigenous Peoples and conservation that requires consultation with any Indigenous Peoples who may be affected by conservation actions proposed by our organization.

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