ABSTRACT: Climate change, infrastructure risks, and vulnerability of Arctic coastal communities: a case study from Arctic Bay, Canada.

CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
Search Results

Author :

Date :

Title :

Publication :

Issue :

Page(s) :

Abstract

There is widespread agreement that significant climate warming has occurred in the north, with discernible impacts on sea-ice, permafrost and ground ice, slope stability, and coastal hazards. These changes are affecting both infrastructure and livelihoods of northern communities. Interdisciplinaryresearch in ArcticNet projects 4.2 and 1.2, partially funded by the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Program (NRCan), was designed to assess the climate vulnerability of infrastructure in Arctic coastal communities. The research uses the approach developed by Ford and Smit (2004) to characterize community vulnerability, where vulnerability is conceptualized as a function of exposure and adaptive capacity. The first stage identifies and characterizes those conditions (exposures) that are significant for the community andestablishes a baseline of community responses (adaptive capacity). To achieve this we worked with the community of Arctic Bay, Nunavut, conducting65 interviews with residents and community officials between 2004 and 2006. Interviews were complimented with analysis of secondary sources. The second stage assesses future vulnerability by estimating both the directional changes in exposure and the constraints and opportunities for communityadaptation. Key current exposures related to community infrastructure and their potential directional changes include: slope failures which are posing risks tohousing and future development sites. Anticipated future increases in snowmelt intensity and summer/fall rainfall will promote slope failures throughretrogressive thaw slumping, active layer detachments and debris flows. Although only rarely have past slope instabilities affected the community, recent and planned developments closer to high relief at the western end of the community will increase exposure to slope hazards. Coastal erosion is undermining shoreline structures, including the harbour breakwater. Reduced sea-ice cover and a longer open water season will likely result in increased coastal erosion, notably along the western end of the community, where coastal retreat is ongoing. This exposure will be further enhanced by rising sea level and increased storminess, especially from the south and southwest. Surface flooding is causing infrastructure damage, the most serious of which is the gravel berm damming the sewage lagoon. Observed and anticipated increases in summer/early fall rainfall will cause more frequent flooding, through enhanced overland flow, and gullying, through natural and intentional flow channelization in ice wedge troughs and culverts, respectively. Other exposures are related to ‘soft’ infrastructure, and are largely associated with trails on the land and sea-ice used for hunting and travelling. Thin-ice, muddy trails, and strong winds (especially from the south) currently affect usage of these trails and are expected to be negatively affected by climate change.Analysis of current adaptive capacity demonstrates significant adaptability to cope with changes in ‘soft’ infrastructure: new travel routes have been developed and timing of hunting activities altered to manage the changes. Adaptive capacity at a municipal level with regards ‘hard’ infrastructure,however, appears limited: the response to emerging risks has been ad hoc and has involved limited longterm strategic planning. Current research is underway to evaluate in greater depth the adaptive capacity and resilience of the municipality.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology