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CAVIAR
Short Title: CAVIAR Project URL: http://www.arcticcentre.org/caviar Proposal URL: http://classic.ipy.org/development/eoi/proposal-details.php?id=157 Problem & Rationale The Arctic is currently undergoing rapid social and environmental changes, and the cumulative effects are felt across the region. The rapidity and pervasiveness of these changes continue to present challenges to the adaptive capacity for local communities and Arctic societies (ACIA 2005, AHDR 2004). Local responses to these challenges will depend, in part, on the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of human-environment systems, where vulnerability describes the degree to which a system is likely to experience harm due to exposure to a hazard, either a perturbation or a stress, and adaptation refers to change in a system in response to some force or perturbation. Yet, the processes that shape vulnerability and adaptive capacity are not well understood. The aim of this project is to develop and apply methods for assessing the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of human systems in local Arctic communities. This analysis will enable comparison of local communities experiencing (or expected to experience) rapid and cumulative changes under different internal and external conditions. Project results will also indicate areas or actions for improving resilience. Research Objectives The research will enhance empirical and theoretical understanding of processes that shape vulnerability and adaptation across the circumpolar region by 1. further developing the theoretical concept of vulnerability (Turner et al, 2003; Smit and Pilifosova, 2003) and refining and applying an interdisciplinary research methodology for vulnerability studies (ie. Huq and Lim, 2005; Keskitalo, 2004; Ford and Smit, 2004) 2. identifying social and environmental factors and stresses and document the interactions which shape adaptive capacity and vulnerability. 3. improving understanding of the interrelations between local vulnerability and decision-making across scales. Activities A framework for vulnerability assessment will be developed to guide field research in communities across the Arctic and to facilitate comparison and integration of results in an interdisciplinary analysis. A methodology for carrying out empirical research will be developed and applied to document the vulnerabilities of communities, including their exposures, their adaptive capacities and their adaptation strategies. The methodology involves collaboration with communities, employs case studies, engages stakeholders, integrates local and indigenous knowledge, is community and place specific, recognizes multiple sources of stimulus, and is fundamentally interdisciplinary. Data will be collected using established protocols and procedures from secondary sources (government records on socio-economic and climate conditions; satellite imagery, reports) and primary sources (interviews, focus groups, participant, questionnaires). The research will be undertaken in local and indigenous communities in all eight Arctic countries:, Canada, Denmark (Greenland, Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA. Outcomes The broad contributions of the project include: a) Development of a robust vulnerability framework and methodology for community assessment. b) Knowledge on the nature of the vulnerabilities, exposures and adaptive capacities of Arctic communities, compared and integrated in an analysis for the circumpolar region. c) Input to policy and decision-making to enhance the resilience and sustainability of Arctic communities.