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Wildlife, environment, and renewable and non-renewable resource management
The circumpolar Arctic has many unique and successful approaches to wildlife, environment, and renewable and non-renewable resource management that would benefit from being fully understood within the Arctic and external to this region. The circumpolar Arctic is also experiencing significant management opportunities and challenges given: the reduction of seasonal, annual and multi-year sea ice; greater accessibility of Arctic coasts and seas to marine shipping and transportation; global awareness of the richness of the living and non-living resources of the Arctic; and need to understand and adapt to complex regional and local climate changes.
This research seeks to understand and respond to opportunities and challenges for Arctic wildlife, environment, and renewable and non-renewable resource management through comparitive analysis and recommendations. One area of focus is the management of migratory species, whether polar bears, marine mammals, seabirds or fish stocks, including illegal unreported and unregulated fisheries in the circumpolar Arctic.
Local and Traditional knowledge, and engagement of local communities and peoples
Local and traditional knowledge are important in the circumpolar Arctic and globally, as peoples, communities and governments manage wildlife and renewable and non-renewable resources, develop local and national economies,and consider how to respond to environmental issues, including adapting to climate change. The challenges of sustainable development and adapting to global and climate change support the use of traditional knowledge, and the collaborative engagement of local peoples and communities.
Linkages are being developed between the peoples and communities of the circumpolar Arctic and islands of the world through Many Strong Voices, which an alliance of Indigenous Peoples Organisations, Non Governmental Organisations, researchers, policymakers, community organisations and others in over 20 Arctic and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The goal of Many Strong Voices is to promote the well-being, security, and sustainability of coastal communities in the Arctic and SIDS by bringing regions together to take action on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to tell their stories to the world.
Linkages between communities and peoples are being developed through other international forums and initiatives. The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands promotes the implementation of international agreements related to oceans, coasts, and SIDS by assessing progress made, and identifying opportunities and challenges for achieving sustainable development. The Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) covers all aspects of biological diversity: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the CBD supports the inclusion and participation of SIDS and developing countries in emerging issues, such as expert discussions on the impact of ocean acidification on aquatic, coastal and marine biodiversity and ecosystems, and the services these ecosystems provide.
This research seeks to understand the role and use of traditional and local knowledge, and the engagement of local communities and peoples in the circumpolar Arctic and globally. It also seeks to understand the expanding linkages between local communities and peoples of the Arctic and other coastal peoples and communities, such as the SIDS and coasts of developed and developing countries.
Principle Investigator: Magdalena A K Muir, Research Associate, Arctic Institute of North America
