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Traditional Livelihood, Unstable Environment: Adaptation of Traditional Fishing and Reindeer Herding to Environmental Change in the Russian Arctic

Author

Listed:
  • Arsenii Konnov

    (Independent Researcher, Gori 1400, Georgia)

  • Yana Khmelnitskaya

    (Independent Researcher, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia)

  • Maria Dugina

    (Independent Researcher, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia)

  • Tatiana Borzenko

    (Independent Researcher, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia)

  • Maria S. Tysiachniouk

    (Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu 7, 80100 Joensuu, Finland)

Abstract

The effects of climate change are much more pronounced in the Arctic region than in other places around the world. This paper highlights the practices of adaptation to climate change by Indigenous reindeer herders, e.g., Saami and Komi-Izhemtsy, and Pomor fishermen, in the Russian Arctic. Our major research question is: How does the interplay of social and environmental factors determine traditional reindeer herding and fishing in the Russian North in the context of climate change, including seasonal changes? A qualitative methodology was used in both reindeer herding and fishing communities using the same interview guide. As an analytical lens, we chose resilience theory combined with the actor–network theory. Resilience theory allows us to situate the adaptive capacity of reindeer herders and fisherman within a constantly changing context. The actor–network theory offers a non-human-centered framework which allows the reconstruction of the networks that emerge in the context of adaptation and link humans, material objects, and the living environment. We found that the traditional economic activity of reindeer herders and fishermen is significantly affected by socio-economic and environmental factors. Both reindeer herders and fishermen manage to adapt to the changing environment using local knowledge and different kinds of technical tools. However, socio-economic conditions and accelerating climate change put the resilience of Indigenous communities at risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Arsenii Konnov & Yana Khmelnitskaya & Maria Dugina & Tatiana Borzenko & Maria S. Tysiachniouk, 2022. "Traditional Livelihood, Unstable Environment: Adaptation of Traditional Fishing and Reindeer Herding to Environmental Change in the Russian Arctic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-29, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12640-:d:933639
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haradhan Kumar MOHAJAN, 2018. "Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects," Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, Alliance of Central-Eastern European Universities, vol. 7(1), pages 23-48, March.
    2. Laura A. Henry & Soili Nysten-Haarala & Svetlana Tulaeva & Maria Tysiachniouk, 2016. "Corporate Social Responsibility and the Oil Industry in the Russian Arctic: Global Norms and Neo-Paternalism," Europe-Asia Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 68(8), pages 1340-1368, September.
    3. Maria Fossheim & Raul Primicerio & Edda Johannesen & Randi B. Ingvaldsen & Michaela M. Aschan & Andrey V. Dolgov, 2015. "Recent warming leads to a rapid borealization of fish communities in the Arctic," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 5(7), pages 673-677, July.
    4. Elena Bogdanova & Sergei Andronov & Andrei Soromotin & Gennady Detter & Oleg Sizov & Kamrul Hossain & Dele Raheem & Andrey Lobanov, 2021. "The Impact of Climate Change on the Food (In)security of the Siberian Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic: Environmental and Health Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-22, February.
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