A R C T I C I N T E G R A T E D E C O S Y S T E M R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M
How people respond to change will help determine effects on coastal communities Coastal communities in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas are experiencing rapid societal and environmental changes. In addition to the ecosystem changes mentioned above, traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering are affected by government regulations, industrial development, limited financial resources, technology, and more. We found that all forms of change interact with one another to affect food security and community well-being. People respond to these changes in many ways, including shifting hunting practices, times, and locations, as well as innovating with new tools and techniques. Some practices and values, such as being prepared and being persistent, remain important contributors to successfully responding to change.
The ability of Tribes and communities to make their own decisions is essen- tial to adapting to change With so much changing at the same time, people need to be able to respond quickly and to try new approaches. Waiting for decisions to be made else- where hampers Tribal sovereignty and flexibility. Meaningful and ongoing communication, collabora- tion, and cooperation between Tribes, communities, the broader research community, and state and federal agencies can contribute to improved under- standings of, and responses to, changes and their implications. Sharing information is important, as is respecting Tribal expertise and authority when it comes to determining what best suits Tribal commu- nities’ needs.
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