Permafrost thaw challenges and life in Svalbard

Timlin, Ulla; Meyer, Albert R.; Nordström, Tanja; Rautio, Arja

doi:10.1016/j.crsust.2021.100122

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Additionally, the results describe how residents are adapting to changes and what is still required for successful adaptation. The same questionnaire has been used before in studies completed in Greenland among the Indigenous population [43,45], but also in Svalbard [44]. Similar challenges, which impacted the life and well-being of people, were observed with these studies compared to the present study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…The feeling of empowerment to face the changes related to permafrost thaw was reclassified as follows: no, somewhat/yes. Self-rated health and feeling of empowerment have been used before in similar way in research focusing on the Arctic and climate change [44,45]. Due to the small sample size (n = 53), statistical tests were not performed, excluding the summarization of the sum variable and counting Cronbach's alpha.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-Rated Health, Life Balance and Feeling of Empowerment When Facing Impacts of Permafrost Thaw—A Case Study from Northern Canada

et al. 2022

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Climate warming in Arctic Canada, e.g., permafrost thaw, comprehensively impacts biota and the environment, which then affects the lives of people. This study aimed to investigate which perceived environmental and adaptation factors relate to self-rated well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life (sum variable = life balance), self-rated health, and feeling of empowerment to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. The study sample was collected from one community using a questionnaire (n = 53) and analyzed by cross-tabulation. Results indicated that most participants had at least good well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life, and a medium level of health, and over 40% assessed being empowered to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. Problems and challenges associated with permafrost thaw, e.g., health, traditional lifeways, and infrastructure, were recognized; these had impacts on life balance, feeling of empowerment, and self-rated health. Traditional knowledge regarding adaptation to face changes was seen as important. More adaptation actions from the individual to global level seemed to be needed. This study provides an overview of the situation in one area, but more research, with a larger study sample, should be conducted to achieve a deeper understanding of climate-related impacts on life and holistic well-being.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Rated Health, Life Balance and Feeling of Empowerment When Facing Impacts of Permafrost Thaw—A Case Study from Northern Canada

et al. 2022

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“…The annual ease in the level of humidity and reduction of glaciers caused by global warming, as well as melting of permafrost leads to deterioration of the technical condition of existing infrastructure (bridges, roads, buildings, and structures of mining industry, residential buildings, etc. ), which over time are damaged and lose their bearing capacity due to melting of soils, which can have a significant impact on the provision of human life, which was noted in the scientific study of W. Timlin, A. Meyer, et al [3].…”

Section: Northern Climate Zone Features and Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of earthquake-proof foundations in the design of residential buildings for the areas of the northern climate zone

Ivanova

Filimonov

2023

E3S Web Conf.

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The regions of the Far North and the territories equated to them today have a great potential for development, which is primarily due to the presence of rich natural resources, among which are unique resources of hydrocarbon raw materials, the development of which directly affects the prospects and directions of development of fuel and energy complex and related industries, which in turn requires the development of several support facilities for various purposes, without which the existence of any enterprise is impossible The article deals with the constructive solution for the construction of urban buildings adapted for specific natural and climatic conditions, as well as the conditions of joint manifestation of permafrost and seismic impacts of high intensity. The technical result is achieved by reducing the effect of seismic loads, by developing elements of special stationary seismic protection (seismic insulation), representing a system with a seismic insulating sliding belt, which is mounted between the heads of piles and the building rostrum. The proposed solution makes it possible to increase the seismic resistance of buildings erected on a soil base according to the first principle by reducing the impact of the stresses arising in the structural elements.

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“…Ocean warming and acidification are also a looming threat to commercial fishing and aquaculture in coastal communities (Barange et al 2018 ; Hänsel et al 2020 ). In the High Arctic, such as the Svalbard Archipelago, people are particularly conscious about the impacts of climate change given the increase in winter temperature of 2–3 degrees combined with rainfall events, permafrost thaw affecting housing, buildings and roads, and abnormal weather events triggering avalanches, rockfalls or mudflows (Hovelsrud et al 2020 ; Timlin et al 2022 ). Despite these climate risks, and in contrast to the Svalbard archipelago, the municipalities in the Norwegian High North are responding slowly, at least if measured by applications to the climate adaptation fund ( KBNN 2021 ).…”

Section: The Research Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fifteen research needs for understanding climate change impacts on ecosystems and society in the Norwegian High North

Kebir,

Chambers,

Frainier

et al. 2023

Ambio

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There is an urgent need to understand and address the risks associated with a warming climate for ecosystems and societies in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. There are major gaps in our understanding of the complex effects of climate change—including extreme events, cascading impacts across ecosystems, and the underlying socioecological dynamics and feedbacks—all of which need collaborative efforts to be resolved. Here, we present results where climate scientists, ecologists, social scientists, and practitioners were asked to identify the most urgent research needs for understanding climate change impacts and to identify the actions for reducing future risks in catchment areas in the Norwegian High North, a region that encompasses both Arctic and sub-Arctic climates in northern Norway. From a list of 77 questions, our panel of 19 scientists and practitioners identified 15 research needs that should be urgently addressed. We particularly urge researchers to investigate cross-ecosystem impacts and the socioecological feedbacks that could amplify or reduce risks for society.

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Permafrost thaw challenges and life in Svalbard

Cited by 10 publications

References 44 publications

Self-Rated Health, Life Balance and Feeling of Empowerment When Facing Impacts of Permafrost Thaw—A Case Study from Northern Canada

Self-Rated Health, Life Balance and Feeling of Empowerment When Facing Impacts of Permafrost Thaw—A Case Study from Northern Canada

Use of earthquake-proof foundations in the design of residential buildings for the areas of the northern climate zone

Fifteen research needs for understanding climate change impacts on ecosystems and society in the Norwegian High North

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