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Download PDF (5.33 FRESHWATER AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS IN NUNATSIAVUT: A Case Study From Rigolet Christina Goldhar1, Tanya Pottle2, Trevor Bell1, Johanna Wolf3 1 Dept. of Geography, Memorial University, St.John’s CANADA 2 Rigolet resident 3 Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia, Norwich UK Research Aim and Objectives Data Collection Methods Figure 4. COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY TO CHANGES The primary aim of this study is to assess the vulnerability of drinking water systems in o 89 semi-structured household interviews (88% response) in Rigolet IN FRESHWATER AVAILABILITY Nunatsiavut to present and future environmental and socio-economic changes, through a o 11 key informant interviews case study in Kikiak (Rigolet), Nunatsiavut. The Rigolet case study will be situated within a o Mapping local observations of freshwater change in Rigolet and surrounding area EXPOSURE IMPLICATIONS ADAPTATION COST regional assessment of community water vulnerability across Nunatsiavut in future. o Review of downscaled climate scenarios, river discharge records, and other sources STRATEGIES Findings -Decreasing -Geese further -Travelling -Fuel, time, Rationale water levels inland further for money Water stress in Arctic communities may amplify existing community vulnerabilities to the Preliminary results confirm observations of previous studies noting a decrease in water levels of effects of climate change, influencing traditional harvesting practices, safety when streams and ponds (Fig. 2). Rigolet residents describe the complete disappearance of ponds in -Travels routes Geese and traveling on the land, and the viability of subsistence livelihoods (ACIA, 2005). several areas over the last 25-30 years coinciding with the movement of geese farther inland, altered drinking water away from traditional harvesting sites. -Drinking water -Purchasing Despite these concerns, research identifying the vulnerability of drinking water systems to less accessible water for land- the effects of climate change is presently limited, with no studies found in Nunatsiavut. Reductions in water levels of brooks has limited access to drinking water on the land, leading based activities This study addresses this knowledge gap while responding to a need expressed by many to travel further (and expend more fuel) in search of drinking water or to purchase water for -Creating new land-based activities. residents of Nunatsiavut for “community-based assessments and systematic research on travel routes the issues of climate change impacts...” (Nickels et al, 2006: 116). 2. OBSERVATIONS OF FRESHWATER CHANGE Context 1. LAND CLAIM SETTLEMENT AREA REPORTED BY RIGOLET RESIDENTS There are 269 people living within the community of Rigolet, located in the Inuit Figure 2 (left) notes region of Nunatsiavut on the east coast of recent (3-8yr.) seasonal Labrador (Fig.1). Rigolet is a dominantly Rigolet and long-term (10- The costs of fuel, time and money noted in Figure 4 compound existing financial stresses Inuit community (90%) where many 30yr.) water- level threatening the viability of subsistence livelihoods and the accessibility of land-based residents pursue traditional livlihoods, Torngat Mountains Park trends highlighted by activities in Rigolet. Reflecting on these stresses one respondent notes: supplementing cash income with Zone (marine) Rigolet residents. subsistence hunting and fishing. Labrador Inuit Lands Labrador Inuit Settlement Area These trends were largely connected with “Gas is at almost 40$ a can now, when I go hunting on Freshwater systems provide: changes in precipitation by respondents (both my hunt trip it’s almost 300$ a trip for 2 or 3 nights. (...) A)important travel routes for land-based rain and snowfall). activities; So when I go hunting I have to go out and get N Kikiak something, bring back something to feed your family. B)habitat for animal and fish species (Rigolet) Kilometres There’s no such thing as going for a joy ride now or significant to the local diet; and, 0 5 10 seasonal change, lower water levels (summer), last 6-8yrs. just going for hunting and not coming up with anything. C)drinking water consumed both within reliable source, no changes noted You have to bring back stuff to show all the money you the community and on the land. seasonal change, stream dry (summer), last 5-6 yrs. Http://www.nunatsiavut.com/en/lilca_landclaimsarea.php annual change, lower water levels, last 10 yrs. spend on your hunting trip”. -Kenny annual change, artesian well dry, last 10 yrs. Study Design and Methodology 1:250,000 NTS map 13J Rigolet Affects Labrador This study was initiated in response to local research needs identified by the Government Inuit Knowledge and of Nunatsiavut and the community of Rigolet and employed a community-based Figure 3. IMPLICATIONS OF DECREASING WATER LEVELS FOR RIGOLET RESIDENTS local environmental vulnerability approach, drawing on the CAVIAR framework (Smit, Hovelsrud and Wandel, Exacerbates threat of cultural knowledge 2008). Geese moving Some trout, salmon and geese loss due to globalization farther inland hunting areas less accessible Study objectives and research design were formulated through dialogue with community Local-global scale implications residents and leaders within the Inuit Community Government of Rigolet and the Decreasing Travel routes of increased fuel consumption Decreases traditional Challenges viability of Nunatsiavut Government during an initial visit in June 2009. Traveling farther to access water levels altered food accessibility and security subsistence livelihoods (surface water: drinking water, hunting/fishing This visit allowed for the identification of potential research assistants, interpreters and ponds, rivers, local guides who formed an integral part of the research team. When final results have brooks etc.) Local-global scale implications been assessed, findings will be discussed with Rigolet residents and community leaders Drinking water less of increased bottled water Increases hunting costs, during a visit in spring 2010, facilitating an exchange of local suggestions, questions and Purchasing water for accessible consumption (i.e. waste) decreases accessibility Increases feedback regarding the study. land-based activities ECONOMIC of hunting community ENVIRONMENTAL vulnerability to Increases likelihood SOCIO-CULTURAL climate change of consuming poor quality Possible health implications Reduces available cash HEALTH water on the land (i.e. Giardia) resources MIXED.
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