At first glance, the Arctic and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) appear to have little in common. Yet they are homelands to a diverse number of indigenous peoples who all have a strong reliance on the environment and its natural resources. Arctic and SIDS societies share both vulnerability and resilience characteristics and their environments are sensitive to climate change impacts.
First, coastal communities in the Arctic and SIDS are experiencing the effects of climate change first-hand. The effects of rising temperatures, changing rainfall and snow patterns, shifts in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and projected changes in sea level could threaten the ecology, economies, as well as the social and cultural fabric of both regions, undermining sustainable development.
Second, both regions consider themselves to be barometers of climate change. Because of their close ties to land and sea environments, economies and cultures in both regions are vulnerable to climate change. Arctic and SIDS communities have a wealth of knowledge on the environments they live in and have demonstrated high ability to adapt to changing conditions in the past; however, climatic changes occur in a situation with a number of other changes to the societies, posing large challenges to their adaptive capacity.
Third, adaptation the Arctic and SIDS are both in the forefront in terms of research on vulnerability, climate change impacts and adaptation. Several notable initiatives have been undertaken to assess the extent and impact of climate change. Research on SIDS have been carried out through (among others) the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC). In the Arctic, a major effort was undertaken with the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA 2005).
The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (2005) concluded that the Arctic is expected to feel the effects of climate change sooner and more severely than other regions of the earth.* The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (2007) echoed and amplified the ACIA findings:
Arctic human communities are already adapting to climate change, but both external and internal stressors challenge their adaptive capacities. Despite the resilience shown historically by Arctic indigenous communities, some traditional ways of life are being threatened and substantial investments are needed to adapt or re-locate physical structures and communities.**
The report also identified similar effects on small islands:
Small islands, whether located in the tropics or higher latitudes, have characteristics which make them especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, sea-level rise and extreme events. Sea-level rise is expected to exacerbate inundation, storm surge, erosion and other coastal hazards, thus threatening vital infrastructure, settlements and facilities that support the livelihood of island communities.**
The Arctic and SIDS share numerous characteristics of strength, such as:
- A continuing, deeply-rooted connection of the people to their environment;
- A body of local and traditional knowledge that is incorporated to varying degrees into daily life and decision-making; and
- A history of resilience – a demonstrated ability to adapt to outside influences and perturbations over generations.
The Arctic and SIDS also share characteristics of vulnerability:
- Reliance on economies based on fragile natural resources on land and at sea;
- High unemployment and below average educational attainment;
- Transportation and communication challenges;
- Coastal zones of great importance for the human and natural environment;
- Communities located in vulnerable coastal zones;
- Thin or limited markets;
- Overdependence on strategic imports; and
- Vulnerability to price shocks in global markets.
To learn more, read the MSV Briefing Note No. 2B Similarities and Differences between SIDS and the Arctic and visit the Links page.
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**Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report, Summary for Policy Makers, pg. 15. IPCC, Summary for Policy Makers, pg 15.