An exploratory community-based research project

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Shannon McNeeleyEnvironmental and Societal Impacts GroupNational Center for Atmospheric Research

303-497-8122 phone303-497-8125 fax

Shannon@atd.ucar.edu

Circle of Knowledge:

Climate, Weather, and Environmental Change

Alaskan Climate Affairs

To co-develop a research plan for documenting Native observations of changes in the weather, climate and related environmental changes; examine impacts, coping mechanisms and adaptations; and exchanging complementary information and knowledge on climate, weather and environmental changes between Natives and scientists.

Project Goal

Co-develop with interested communities along the Koyukuk River (Huslia, Hughes, Koyukuk, Alatna, Allakaket) and scientists who study Arctic and global climate change in order to better understand the changes that are happening, plan for coping with future changes and create opportunities for education that combines elements of Native Knowledge and western science.

Community Participatory Research

Researcher is a collaborator who works with local participants to define research questions, describe experiences in their own terms, and use the research results to effect change

Community Participatory Research

• Process of mutual inquiry and problem solving

• Community has control and ownership of intellectual property concerning them by asking them questions they think are important, speaking in their own terms, and deciding for themselves how to use the results

• Involve all who are interested in participating

• Build capacity within the community for self sufficiency

• Develop local researchers

• Outside researcher gives back to community

Principles of Community Participatory Research

Weather: Day to day conditions of temperature, precipitation, humidity, winds, etc.

Climate: These conditions averaged over time that characterize a region – average weather

Climate change: Unusual environmental changes in weather and related to weather that are different from what is expected based on the past or what is considered “normal” for the area

Weather is more variable, less predictable, and there is an increased frequency of extreme events.

Changes are happening so quickly that understanding and adaptation are more challenging than in the past

Some Observed Environmental Changes Related to Changes in Climate and Weather

Temperature riseMelting permafrostSea ice retreat/thinner iceChanges in weather patterns and severityWildlife migration patterns changesDried up waterwaysChanges in access to hunting grounds Less snowShifting seasonsMore clouds/precipitation during summerSea level riseIncreased fire and pest infestations

Societal Concerns about Climate Change

•Health Impacts

•Food Security

•Public Safety

•Infrastructure

•Economic Impacts

•Cultural Integrity

•Adaptation/Mitigation strategies and resources

Project ActivitiesJanuary – August 2004

•Meet with tribal councils (Hughes, Huslia, Koyukuk, Alatna,Allakaket)

•Identification of and communication with project developers

•Meetings with project developers in villages

•Acquire letters of support from tribal councils

•Meet with scientists at UAF and NCAR to discuss project

•Literature review

•Develop research design and report for long-term project

•Get approval from communities on research design

Timeline 2004

Meetings with tribal council(s)

X         X    

Identification of project developers

X X X          

Meetings with village participants

X   X     X    

Letters of support     X          

Visit scientists at UAF

X   X     X    

Extensive literature review

  X X X X X    

Research Design X X X X X X    

Approval from Communities

              X…

Action Item Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

Report Preparation             X X

Possible Research Questions

What unusual changes (“anomalies”) are being seen related to weather and climate such astiming of seasons, extreme weather events, freezing and thaws, etc.?

What are some of the feedbacks or indirect impacts being seen, for example, whatare hunters seeing in wildlife that seem to be manifestations of climate change?

How are expectations of how the weather behaves still tied to the past and how doesthis result in negative impacts in terms of subsistence activities, food availability,health and safety, etc.?

How have tribes along the Koyukuk adapted to these changes they are experiencing? What future impacts might require planning for coping or adapting into the future, for example,if there is less snow.

Possible Research Questions continued…

What can traditional knowledge tell us about changes in the interior that western science cannot? How can TK help climate modelers think about their data collection, analysis, and model structure?

What scientific knowledge on climate and weather is useful to Natives in the villages?

Where are the gaps in knowledge that neither TK nor western science can explain at this stage?

How far back in time can TK be useful to provide records of changes in climate and weather?