Сlimate Change in the Arctic: Adaptation to New Challenges

Abstract

Global climate change in the Arctic has been unfolding more rapidly than in other parts of the world, and its impacts affect vulnerable northern ecosystems, health and well-being of the Northerners, economic sectors and infrastructure in the polar regions of the eight Arctic states. Consequences of climate change for human society are analysed in synergy with ongoing transformations in social, economic and institutional systems in the Arctic region. Their cumulative effect exposes a variety of challenges for sustainable development of the northern communities, regions and countries; it reveals a number of uncertainties in the future pathways within the transformative context, as well as a combination of risks and opportunities for societies; it requires human responses and adaptations to consequences of the Arctic change. Adaptation to climate change in combination with greenhouse gases emission reduction turns into an important component of climate policies and measures of the Arctic states. This article presents innovative results of analysis of the major trends and features in formation of adaptive governance in the Arctic. It emerges to be based on a polycentric design, and particularly, on coordination of response actions at various levels, on interactions and networks of a variety of the Arctic stakeholders, on taking into account local environmental and socio-economic contexts, on combination of multidisciplinary approaches and packaging of governance mechanisms and instruments. The study analyses the major developments and innovations in adaptation approaches, policies, and practices of the Arctic regions in N. America (Canada) and Europe (Norway). Its foci is on assessment of priorities, strategies and planning, institutions, economic instruments, climate services, application of structural measures for disaster risk reduction. It explores possibilities of regional exchange of best practices in the Arctic, and core barriers for success in implementation of adaptation policy options. The role of the Paris agreement in formation and structuring of adaptation policies and measure of the northern regions of the Arctic states is analysed.

Analysis of climate risks in the Arctic zone

“…Fourthly, climate change leads to deterioration of living conditions for rare species of animals and plants in the Arctic, which causes a reduction in biodiversity and threatens the ecosystem of the region as a whole, and also reduces opportunities for tourism [4].…”

Disaster risk perceptions and multinational cooperation in Barentsburg, Svalbard

“…Moreover, Russian authorities and big businesses seem to finally realise that Arctic operations require stringent safety measures. Their environmental and disaster prevention awareness might be dictated by their concern about their international image (Rambler News, 2017), as well as by corporate sustainability challenges in the midst of rapid Arctic change (Nikitina, 2021).…”

Assessing health risks caused by exposure to climatic factors for people living in the far north

“…All this creates health risks for adults and children living in the Far North. At the same time, climate change is developing significantly faster in this region than anywhere else on the planet [12,13]. Given that, when people have to adapt to the existing conditions, it is vital to assess health risks caused by exposure to climatic factors.…”