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Where previous research has often stuck to the facts of climate change, ArcticNet is investigating the social, cultural and economic implications it has on the people it affects most directly.

Scientists have been researching Arctic climate change for years, but too frequently there has been a disconnection between the researchers studying global warming and the people whose lives are directly affected by it.

Dr. Barry Smit, a Professor of Geography and Canada Research Chair in Global Environmental Change at the University of Guelph, is determined to change that: "Humans have been left out of natural science research, but we must learn from their perspective, to see how sensitive they really are to changes in their environment."

Dr. Smit notes that while research has been conducted into the rate at which ice is melting in the Arctic, scientists have not considered how people fit into the equation. For the Inuit who hunt or fish on the ice, for example, the impact is profound. Historically, weather patterns have taught them that when an ice floe breaks off from an ice field, the wind likely will blow it back to fuse again. But now, with the climate changing, the floe is just as likely to be blown out to sea, requiring helicopters to rescue a stranded hunter.

"Climate is only part of the picture," Dr. Smit says. "It must be in context with everything else. The Inuit people are facing many economical changes with technology and their food supply that go hand-in-hand with climate."

So far, four Canadian students have travelled to Arctic communities to conduct focus groups, while Dr. Smit also employs two or three local citizens in each community to help bridge the gap between researchers and residents. Tristan Pearce and James Ford, two graduate students, say the work has made them aware of the challenges faced by the people they visit.

"What we are trying to do is learn from the community about what risks they feel are present and what they are doing to cope with these risks," says Mr. Pearce.

Working with the people in Ulukhaktok, Mr. Pearce found out about a number of concerns, including the unpredictability of weather and ice conditions, the rapidly changing seasons, the change in the Peary caribou migration, thinner and lower-quality seals, and changes in wind direction and ocean levels. Ice break-up is happening earlier and more rapidly, creating risks for spring travel and preventing hunters from using snowmobiles.

Some people have adapted to this change by using boats. However, those without boats are at a loss in poor ice conditions and are left without the access to traditional hunting grounds. Mr. Pearce says in this case, household economy, local geography and social conditions are all connected to how people deal with climate change and the impact it has on their lives.

Opportunities exist to address the social issues faced by many Inuit communities and strengthen their ability to cope with change. These opportunities include adopting policies to promote and preserve traditional Inuit knowledge and to improve the safety of hunting among youth.

While visiting Igloolik, Mr. Ford found the Inullariit Society, established in 1993, is working to preserve and promote culture, language, heritage, and traditional values. This society now offers "Land Camps" during which elders teach young Inuit hunting, survival, and safety skills. Because such knowledge forms the basis for Inuit cultural identity, spirituality, and values, its preservation and promotion is key to addressing concerns at the community level, according to Mr. Ford.

"We are not trying to force governments to drastically change the way people deal with climate change in the Arctic," says Mr. Ford. "But we are trying to facilitate change through collaboration."

Through discussions between researchers and members of these communities, the people become empowered to make decisions, with the option of lobbying for change. For example, Kik Shappa, one of the trained community members, was invited to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change to share his ArcticNet experiences and explain how his community is being affected.

ArcticNet brings together a broad range of skill sets to address the challenges of climate change from many perspectives, says Dr. Smit. "With a big research group, we are able to blend physical and social science, giving us the opportunity to address many issues and break new ground."

www.arcticnet.ulaval.ca