Toward understanding the human dimensions of the rapidly changing arctic system: insights and approaches from five HARC projects |
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Authors: | Henry P Huntington Lawrence C Hamilton Craig Nicolson Ronald Brunner Amanda Lynch Astrid E J Ogilvie Alexey Voinov |
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Institution: | (1) 23834 The Clearing Drive, Eagle River, AK 99577, USA;(2) Department of Sociology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA;(3) Department of Natural Resources Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003-4210, USA;(4) Center for Public Policy Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0333, USA;(5) School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia;(6) Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, 1560 30th Street, Campus Box 450, Boulder, CO 80309-0450, USA;(7) Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, University of Vermont, 590 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405-0088, USA |
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Abstract: | Human dimensions research focuses on the interrelationships between humans and the environment. To date, human dimensions
research in arctic regions has concentrated primarily on local events and contexts. As such, it complements analysis elsewhere
of adaptation and sustainable development within broad institutional, social, and environmental contexts. This paper reviews
five projects from the Human Dimensions of the Arctic System (HARC) initiative, established by the US National Science Foundation
in 1997. Common themes and findings are highlighted: climatic variations or change affect societies through interactions with
human activities; population dynamics provide key quantitative indicators of social impacts and well being; and specific impacts
and responses are the result of complex, context-sensitive interactions. Congruent approaches to the challenges of interdisciplinary
research are also identified: multivariate time plots aid the integration of data, retrospective and prospective studies are
part of a continuum and reinforce one another, comparative studies are essential for understanding general principles of human
dimensions, and arctic residents can play a vital role in research and action. |
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Keywords: | Arctic Environmental change Human dimensions Social change |
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