As I look at one of our Northwest Arctic villages, Kivlina, I am able to see that it is experiencing terrestrial ice erosion annually. The village was formed on the coastline so it would be easier to access the water for hunting wild game and make travel much easier.
The village has learned to conserve the water that they are able to drink because the pump is getting destroyed by all of the erosion due to it having to be able to pump in more and more dirt through the filter system.
The native people are seeing thinner sea ice arriving later and leaving earlier every year on their coastal villages and many more vicious storms with larger waves have occurred to start washing away more of the land that is close to the village homes. (Even building on higher ground the homes are still not safe.)
The people in Kivlania have expressed how there is less permafrost to protect the riverbanks from eroding too quickly. It has become so serious that this village administration is actively looked to relocate to higher ground. The Alaska government has gotten involved in the last decade to see how they are going to save a small village and all the history that goes with it.
The climate change out here is that the permafrost is melting all over Alaska as a result of rising temperatures, causing land underneath several villages to subside and wash the ground away.
In Kivilina, subsistence hunting and fishing have been significantly threatened by present climate changes; as a result of these changes the number of whitefish is decreasing and wildlife has been driven to other locations due to the amount of permafrost decreasing.
The Arctic tundra is very important to the migration of birds and caribou. The animals migrate from many regions for a new source of food and warm climate for several months.
The Arctic tundra habitat cannot move northwest in response to the climate change, as can other ecosystems, due to the Arctic Ocean bordering this region.
The vegetation does not reproduce fast enough with all of the climate changes in order to feed all of the animals that are counting on that food for survival.
Native Alaskans are learning how to adapt to the inconsistent climate changes by using advanced technology for successful hunting. Using more of the science technology has helped the process of making the winter months a little better in traveling and hunting caribou to feed their families.
The Native people are very connected to their surroundings; they are no longer trying to predict the arctic weather because of the inconsistencies that are vastly occurring in today's climate.
Native Alaskans in Noorvik will harvest a lot of whitefish, but the Elders and smaller children cannot participate in the fishing because they don’t want them to fall through the ice. When the ice has finally formed the fish have already moved on to a warmer spot in the river or sea.
Empty fish camps due to all the eroding over the years on the Kobuk River.
The climate has made life much more negative rather than positive because people are trying to feed their families, and due to the thinning of the ice and drastic climate changes, hunting and fishing that Natives are used to participating in are no longer successful methods; they must find other ways to feed their families while still trying to preserve their culture and pass down the traditions that are unique to them.
Investigating the negative impact of the climate changes in the Northwest Arctic villages is a discouraging task; however, in doing so we are able to recognize that we are discussing the homes and lives of many people from distinct cultures and traditions. These are people whose future is already challenged by the modern world, and who now face additional pressure from a changing climate.
Franklin,
ReplyDeleteYou started with a village you know, then broadened your horizons to speak of permafrost effects resulting within the state of Alaska. Tied in subsistence hunting affected by the current climate changes.
Great statement relating time element of climate change; Arctic tundra is stopped by the Arctic Ocean and vegetation can't reproduce fast enough to keep up with the climate changes. You brought in the thinning ice resulting in unsuccessful hunting methods. Information is related to real people, not just statistics and you feel drawn in to the seriousness of climate change for the People of that area.
Roger, I agree with snow woman. This is your best blog to date. Well-written, very interesting and culturally relevant. It's very helpful for others to read and understand what it's like to experience climate change in the far north. Great pictures, too! Thanks for such a great blog. Bravo!
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