Resource: Taqulik Hepa: North Slope Natural Resources

Print Background Essay

In recent years, Earth's average temperature has increased significantly, at least partially as a result of human activities. The effects of this warming trend are particularly apparent in the Arctic, where temperatures are increasing at about twice the average global rate. For Alaska Native peoples who live a subsistence lifestyle, this climate change has a direct effect on their daily lives. However, as evidenced by their successful existence over thousands of years, Alaska Native communities have found ways to adjust to gradual climate variations.

Subsistence cultures have survived the warming and cooling periods of Earth's past by being flexible. Changes in climate inevitably lead to changes in the availability and distribution of the plants and animals that people harvest. If resources become scarce in a particular range, Alaska Native peoples may move their settlement to another area to follow the availability of the resources. Similarly, if climate changes result in a shift in the timing or patterns of animal migrations, Alaska Native peoples can modify when they harvest and adjust their hunting locations. They may also alter their target species and diversify the species that they harvest. Changes in climate affect environmental conditions, such as weather patterns and the condition of the sea ice, which require the modification of traditional knowledge to safely hunt and travel. The incorporation of new technologies and methods of harvest has also helped Alaska Native peoples cope with a changing climate.

Subsistence communities today cannot use all of the same strategies to adapt as they have in the past. For example, nomadic communities could survive by migrating to more favorable conditions, but settlements are now more permanent and cannot be easily relocated. Nowadays, Alaska Native residents and Western scientists are working together proactively to monitor wildlife populations and develop management strategies to help keep resources at healthy and sustainable levels.

To ensure that the subsistence way of life can continue, Alaska Native peoples must utilize both short- and long-term strategies for adaptation to respond to the current rapid climate change. They are considering strategies such as animal husbandry, cross-breeding, fish farming, aquaculture, increased regulation, and habitat preservation and reconstruction. The resilience and flexibility of Alaska Native subsistence cultures will continue to be challenged as they seek ways to preserve their connection to nature.

To learn more about how climate change affects subsistence lifestyles, check out A Subsistence Culture Impacted by Climate Change, An Unpredictable Environment, and Arctic Climate Perspectives.

To learn more about subsistence living, check out The Spirit of Subsistence Living, Living from the Land and Sea, and Iñupiaq Whale Hunt.

To learn more about Alaska Native and Western science, check out Dolly Garza: A Tlingit and Haida Scientist and Richard Glenn: Iñupiaq Geologist.

To learn more about Alaska Native residents who have pursued careers in science, check out La'ona DeWilde: Environmental Biologist, Steve MacLean: Conservationist, and Dustin Madden: Science Teacher.

Print Questions for Discussion

• How is global warming affecting the subsistence ways of life of Alaska Native peoples?
• What important information about subsistence living have you learned from your Elders?
• Experience has taught that both cultural knowledge and the observations of Western scientists are valuable. What do you think are the strengths of Alaska Native science and the strengths of Western science? How are they complementary? Can you think of an example or situation that supports your position?
• The traditional languages of Alaska Native peoples have no words like "natural resources" or "game" that are used by people with a Western education, so they use these English words. Do you think using these words changes how a person might think about fish, wildlife, and habitat?
• Can you think of ways that your upbringing is already preparing you for possible careers in wildlife management or other science fields? Explain.