WWF
WHAT QAANAAMIUT WILL TELL YOU ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
Aalborg University CPH The Lost Decade? March 1 2019
Mette Frost WWF Verdensnaturfonden LAST ICE AREA
Photo: Pristine Seas, National Geographic. THE PERIFERI OF THE ARCTIC A CLOSER LOOK
Qaanaaq is a small community of 621 people. Another 130 people live in the settlements of Savissivik, Qeqertat and Sioraapaluk. Qaanaamiut have: • Traditional lifestyles remain important, but under pressure. • Strong sense of pride, but also a feeling of being forgotten or misunderstood by Nuuk. We provide mattak to the rest of the country! • Clear understanding of change • A knowledge regime based on local knowledge. Photo: Mette Frost Often conflict with western science. MOVE TO QAANAAQ
POPULATION
1979
2019
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Qaanaaq (town) Savissivik Siorapaluk Qeqertat Qeqertarsuaq Moriusaq PIKIALASORSUAQ – WHERE THE ACTION IS
Photo: Henrik Saxgreen QAANAAMIUT STARING
• Juaanna Platou: priest and writer of childrens books. • Lars Jeremiassen: retired hunter and former mayor of Qaanaaq. • Rasmus Avike: skilled hunter (storfanger), but also works with tourists and researchers. Famous from Thule/Tuvalu film. • Rasmine J. Normann: teacher and mother of two. LIVING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION?
Elements in sustainable development • Integration of local knowledge in management and planning. • Engagement of locals in science. • Support for local efforts to develop opportunities (fisheries, science hub). • More local involvement with tourism industry (jobs, guidelines). • National efforts to protect and sustainably manage the marine ecosystem. • International regulation of shipping that is binding and Arctic- specific.
Qaanaaq hunters engaged in research activities. ADAPTATION HAPPENING?
QAANAAQ TRADE IN 4.000 3.500 3.000 2.500 2.000 1.500 1.000 500 0
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018 Greenland halibut trade (DKK 1.000) Narwhal and Beluga trade (DKK 1.000)
Photo: Rune Langhoff, Mette Frost, WWF-DK SUSTAINABILITY
‘We need to do conservation work within a sustainable development framework. If we don’t, we will create conservation surrounded by poverty’. Paul Crowley, WWF Canada. Living in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Photo: Mette Frost, WWF-DK #TRUEFACTS? Mette Frost, WWF Questions and comments andcomments Questions Qujanaq [email protected] Mette Frost WWF