Objectives. Characterize and examine the prevalence of food insecurity in Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland, and identify stressors affecting the food system. Study design. A mixed-methods study using quantitative food security surveys and semi-structured interviews. Methods. Food security surveys (n=61) were conducted with a random sample of 6% of Qeqertarsuaq's population. Semi-structured interviews (n=75) allowed participants to describe in their own words their experience of food insecurity and permitted in-depth examination of determinants. Key informant interviews were used to provide context to local perspectives. Results. Prevalence of food insecurity (8%) is low. However, interviews reveal a more nuanced picture, with women, adults aged 55+, and non-hunters reporting constrained access to Greenlandic foods. Barriers restricting traditional food access include changing sea ice conditions, reduced availability of some species, high costs of hunting and purchasing food, tightening food sharing networks, and hunting and fishing regulations. Conclusions. While the Qeqertarsuaq food system is relatively secure, the research highlights susceptibility to social, economic and environmental stressors which may become more prevalent in the future.
ABSTRACT. Drawing on vulnerability approaches from the climate change literature, this paper explores the vulnerability of residents of the community of Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, Labrador, to changes in freshwater. Our approach emphasizes local preferences and values. We analyze the results from 89 household interviews (88% response) and targeted interviews in Rigolet to consider the human experience of climate variability and change. Residents report that changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of freshwater are currently challenging their ability to access preferred drinking water and food sources and are adding to the financial barriers that restrict their time spent on the land. The results of our study suggest that Rigolet residents are successfully adapting to existing freshwater changes in their watershed, though these adaptations have not come without sacrifice. The adaptive capacity of Rigolet residents has been supported by resource flexibility and experiencebased knowledge of freshwater variability within their watershed, among other factors. Findings suggest that the exposure of sub-Arctic and Arctic communities to freshwater changes and their capacity to adapt are largely shaped by the lifeways of residents and the manner and degree to which they are dependent on local freshwater systems.Key words: freshwater, Nunatsiavut, Labrador, Inuit, adaptation, vulnerability, climate change, livelihoods, food security, water security RÉSUMÉ. Cet article explore la vulnérabilité des résidents de Rigolet, au Nunatsiavut, Labrador, vis-à-vis des changements caractérisant l'eau douce en s'appuyant sur les approches de vulnérabilité puisées dans la documentation sur le changement climatique. Notre démarche met l'accent sur les préférences et les valeurs locales. Nous analysons les résultats de 89 entrevues réalisées auprès de divers ménages (taux de réponse de 88 %) et d'entrevues ciblées effectuées à Rigolet afin de considérer la réaction de l'être humain vis-à-vis de la variabilité et du changement climatique. Les résidents signalent que les changements enregistrés sur le plan de la répartition spatiale et temporelle de l'eau douce leur posent des difficultés pour ce qui est de l'accès à leurs sources préférées d'eau potable et de nourriture, ce qui a également pour effet d'amplifier les obstacles financiers, car ils restreignent le temps qu'ils passent sur le territoire. Les résultats de notre étude suggèrent que les résidents de Rigolet réussissent à s'adapter aux changements caractérisant l'eau douce au sein de leur bassin hydrographique, mais que ces adaptations ne se sont pas faites sans sacrifices. La capacité d'adaptation des résidents de Rigolet a notamment été facilitée par la flexibilité des ressources et les connaissances de la variabilité de l'eau douce découlant de l'expérience au sein même de leur bassin hydrographique. Nos observations laissent entendre que les changements en matière d'eau douce que connaissent les communautés subarctiques et arctiques de même que leur capacité d'adaptation s...
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