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? 4.000 3.500 3.000 2.500 2.000 QAANAAQ TRADE IN 1.500 1.000 500 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Greenland2005 halibut trade (DKK 1.000) Narwhal and Beluga2006 trade (DKK 1.000) 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Photo: Rune Langhoff, Mette Frost, WWF2018 -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? WWF Qujanaq Questions and comments Mette Frost [email protected] WWF Mette Frost, Climate change impacts on local communities and economies. Perspectives from Ilulissat by Zita Bak-Jensen ) Content may not reflect National Geographic's current map policy. Sources: National Geographic, Esri, Garmin, HERE, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, increment P Corp. ± ) 0 30 60 120 180 240 Kilometers Content may not reflect National Geographic's current map policy. Sources: National Geographic, Esri, Garmin, HERE, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, increment P Corp. Source: https://naalakkersuisut.gl/~/me dia/Nanoq/Files/Attached%20Fi les/Natur/DK/Ilulissat%20Isfjord /Forvaltningsplan%20for%20Ve rdensarvsomr%C3%A5det.pdf Ilulissat • ”Icebergs” • 3rd biggest city • Approx. 4900 citizen Main economies in Ilulissat • Fishing is Greenland's most important trade • Tourism is the most important alternative Case 1: Dogs are for fishing, aren’t they? Dogs in Ilulissat • Almost 3000 dogs • 480 sleds licensed for commercial fishing Fishery in Ilulissat • Small private boats • Kangia Icefiord ©Kirsten Hjørne Fishing with dog sled • Fishing on the icefiord • Higher first sales price Tourism • 110.912 internationals visit to Greenland • Main attraction: Icebergs Source: http://bank.stat.gl/TUEUPAX and http://bank.stat.gl/TUEKRP Case 2: Icebergs or Ice Cubes? Source: https://fr.wik ipedia.org/w iki/Fichier:Ilu lissat,_Green land_(satellit e_view).jpg Does it matter if the icebergs are small? • More small ice in the Disko Bay • Less flocking of whales? • Less wow effect? .