Political ecology of climate change adaptation in the Arctic: Insights from Nunatsiavut, Canada

Political ecology analyses climate change adaptation by examining the intricate relationships between systemic inequalities, power dynamics, and structural factors, including colonialism and capitalism. This paper examines the political ecology of climate change adaptation in the Arctic, focusing on five Inuit communities in Nunatsiavut, a self-governing Inuit region in northern Canada. It examines how various social, economic, and environmental factors intersect to influence adaptation. We found that colonialism, forced relocation, and capitalism are driving the historical construction of climate risk along with contemporary adaptation challenges, and showcase how inequities affect the ways different community members experience and respond to climate change. Inuit communities face significant adaptation barriers, such as high costs associated with store-bought food and machinery, economic constraints, and technological dependence required for food gathering. Using a political ecology lens, we contextualised these barriers within the broader socioeconomic factors. The analysis centres on the critical question of “adaptation for whom?” and examines the barriers and limits to adaptation, emphasising the uneven distribution of adaptive capacity within Nunatsiavut. This study underscores the need for an equitable approach to adaptation that addresses the systemic, structural, and infrastructural challenges faced by Inuit in a rapidly changing Arctic. This research was conducted in accordance with Indigenous and Inuit research ethics, ensuring Inuit self-determination and community control over the research process.