Changing Sea Ice Situations and Alaskan Coastal Communities - Essay Example

Anthropology Introduction Sea is undoubtedly among the most responsive indicators of the changing Arctic. It is an important characteristic of the environment. It is obviously linked to identities and livelihoods of coastal peoples especially if they rely on the sea ice as a faster means of travel (Rignot et al. 267). They also rely on the ice sea to harvest birds, seals, fish, walrus and whales associated with the sea. When sea ice environments become more and more unpredictable and dynamic, food safety in many of the Arctic communities becomes questionable (Baer & Singer 25). Making matters even worse is the fact that a number of coastal peoples, especially the Alaska are susceptible to erosion since the melting ice does not protect the shorelines from strong ocean currents. Additionally, as the ocean becomes more reachable, neighborhoods face increasing pressure from industrial development (Crate & Nuttall 112). The main problem is that regions such as Alaska do not have the necessary resources to match the scope and space with which the changes take place. In myriad ways, communities in the Arctic are faced with the issue of “double exposure.” This means that they are experiencing the effects of globalization as well as climate change. With reference to the Arctic communities, the varying ice conditions make the surrounding communities susceptible since they cannot reap renewable sources of livelihood such as fishes from the waters as well as putting their cultural identity at risk of extinction (Crate & Nuttall 112). Again, most of the communities in the Arctic represent a diversity of subsistence-based and market economies that are directly impacted by a globalized market. What is more, many youths do have the necessary exposure to understand the impact of the melting ice as occasioned by global climate change (Baer & Singer 278). Socio-Cultural Dimensions Perhaps it is first important to define what “social-cultural” means. It means what effects climatic changes have on the social and cultural aspects of the people. This paper specifically discusses the Alaska situation (Rignot et al. 269). The changes in climate and globalization creates a scenario where the people from the Alaska community have to adapt to new means of earning their livelihoods and extra sources of income because what they considered their natural habitats have been depleted as a result of the melting of the ice (Rignot et al. 272). A rapid social change is directly related to a number of social ills, domestic abuses, suicide attempts, and health problem especially in the northern areas that close to the melting ice. Udloriak Hanson, a leader from North Alaska quotes this just too well: “Inuit from the North has transformed from igloos to the cyberspace in a generation” (Crate & Nuttall 112). In order that the peoples from the Arctic become less susceptible, it is important that the relevant authorities as well as all stakeholders make ecological and social transformations that will achieve measurable results in the future undertake better and more resilient measures. According to Baer and Singer (2013), key ways to foster ways to promote sustainable use of resources and resilience during moments of rapid change include practicing ecosystem stewardship, a major goal that seeks to sustain the capability to offer ecosystem services that sustain human health under conditions of change and uncertainty. The approach represents a paradigm shift since it deviates from steady resource accountability and it realizes that everyone is significant in maintaining socio-ecological resources and systems (Baer &Singer 143). Further, it is important for the Alaska people to understand issues of common property, environmental ethics, ecological economy, political knowledge, as well as environmental history that that bridged social science research and natural knowledge in the last few decades. It is also important to consider the implications of the local and international law (Crate & Nuttall 126). According to human geographical perspective, the impacts of retreating sea ice imply a crisis especially to the Alaskan communities that derive their livelihood mostly from the sea. An immediate solution to this crisis would be come up with creative ways through which the communities affected could improve ecosystem and community resilience during times of profound changes (Crate & Nuttall 112). Three significant areas can be looked into and how to enhance governance of resources from the ocean; how to mitigate effects of sweeping industrialization on indigenous communities; and to minimize overfishing. Relevant stakeholders should strive to seek funding from NGOs that appreciate the strategic goals and tackle any or more of the priority areas enlisted. This can be done either individually or collectively (Rignot et al. 265). Alaska should especially be significant local non-profit. What is more, the funding strategy focuses on the worst-hit Alaska as a way to build regional capacity and echo the sentiments of the indigenous people in policy decisions that are ocean-related and those that directly affect the communities (Baer &Singer 125). A proposed community initiative is Oak whose main duty would be to create portfolios by way of implementing policies and tracking measurable ways through which the affected communities gain in terms of livelihood and cultural heritage. Such institutions should fund policies and make necessary changes that would address problems at hand. For instance, funds from Alaska Eskimo Welfare Association provide innovative approaches to safeguard whale habitats as well as the subsistence hunt from the impacts of offshore drilling (Crate & Nuttall 126). Whereas these agreements echo deliberations between various companies with stakes in the Alaskan Arctic and AEWC, they are progressively employed by Atmospheric Administration and National Oceanic to accomplish responsibilities as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (Crate & Nuttall 112). In this regard therefore, it only implies that Oak Foundation policies are an important measure that will help to gauge effects of investments as well as track progress. This paper considers changing ice as bellwether useful in understanding how charitable investments can make the Alaskan community to better cope with transformative stages as occasioned by climate change and globalization. What is more, it helps them to come up with better innovative ways of dealing with the effects such as finding alternative sources of income (Baer &Singer 29). These innovations come in diverse forms; however, from policy perspectives better regulatory environment would be one that will make it easier for marine resources and the people to adapt to and respond to changing circumstances responsibly. Directly supporting organizations that are community-based means the Alaskan people are ready for change, and are part of the much needed change (Pongiglione 122). In other words, they are playing a significant role in ensuring that they are safeguarding the future and finding new ways of dealing with the problems. This is particularly important as it provides a rationale for creating an equitable and diversified approach to funding organizations and projects (Crate & Nuttall 112). With reference to Alaska, approaches to direct grant-generation comprises of entities both from settlers and from locals to provide incentives that will safeguard the future of the Alaskan people. Conclusion The paper has argued how peoples from Alaskan coastal communities have been affected with changing sea ice situations and how as a result they have become more vulnerable to complicated effects of environmental change and globalization. In order to effectively deal with the problems, it is important to tackle issues such as decision-making at all levels of government. To ward off uncertainties from economic, biophysical changes, and regulatory environment, it is important to address the challenges through investing Native non-profit areas to foster resilience by making use of ecosystem stewardship structures (Crate & Nuttall 126). In brief, it is important to map significant ecological and subsistence areas; take part in comprehensive planning; train youths as co-managers, lawyers, Native scientists, rights advocators, non-profit leaders and policy specialists; and take part in decision-making processes across various government levels. Perhaps what is most important is to learn how to deal with disasters occasioned by climate change and globalization; as well as to be resilient and forge better ways on moving on in the face of adversities. Works Cited Baer, Hans, and Merrill Singer. "Global Warming and the Political Ecology of Health." Global Warming and the Political Ecology of Health. Left Cost, 2009. Print. Baer, Hans, and Merrill Singer. The Anthropology of Climate Change: An Integrated Critical Perspective. Routledge, 2014. Crate, Susan & Nuttall, Michael. "Climate and culture: anthropology in the era of contemporary climate change." Annual Review of Anthropology 40 (2011) Ed. Version. 175-194. Pongiglione, Francesca. "Anthropology and Climate Change: From Encounters to Actions; Political Theory and Global Climate Change." Ethics, Policy & Environment 15.1 (2012): 125-129. Rignot, E., et al. "Ice-shelf melting around Antarctica." Science 341.6143 (2013): 266- 270. Read More