Here is a list of important terms you may encounter on this website. Some terms are linked to pages that specifically discuss them so you can learn more!
Adaptation: The process/processes by which the effects of climate change are accounted for and solutions are designed around dealing with those issues. It does not focus on stopping climate change, but rather dealing with its impact.
Anthropogenic Climate Change: The theory that humans are causing excessive temperature rise and global warming on earth by burning fossil fuels (like CO2) that get trapped in the atmosphere.
A5: The Arctic 5, or A5, is the group of littoral arctic states that includes Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and the United States.
A8: The Arctic 8, or A8, is a more expansive group of Arctic states and includes Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia, United States, Sweden, Norway, Iceland.
Benefit Sharing: A process by which extractive industry companies give back to the community’s land and resources they are taking from. This could range from building infrastructure like schools to a monetary dividend each year.
Coastal Erosion: displacement or loss of land along a coastline due to the lands interaction with water, storms and climate change.
High Politics: national and international politics that concerns the survival of a state or region. Emphasizes matters of national and international security – does not focus on local economies, cultures, or environments.
Hydroelectric Power: A power source that capitalizes on moving water from a dam/reservoir to push a turbine that powers a generator. Hydroelectric is a renewable resource which means it can never be depleted, unlike coal or oil.
Indigenous Sovereignty: This entails an expansive definition of sovereignty that transcends the Westphalian State system. Indigenous peoples in the Arctic specifically live in and have an ancestral heritage to lands in multiple Arctic states. This fact must be considered when Indigenous peoples aim to design climate change adaptation solutions in their communities.
Infrastructure: the set of fundamental facilities and structures that allow for a society to function sustainably and support its economy.
Knowledge Coproduction: An interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving that utilizes multiple resources to create solutions to climate-related issues. Aims to have local opinion and expertise at the table as well as scientific researchers to create plans and policy.
Levels of Governance: This concept requires a full understanding of the multiple layers that make up government and bureaucracy, from local to international. In the Arctic, this concept is particularly important due to the anarchic nature of international relations and the lack of top-down government in place.
Mitigation: Unlike adaptation, mitigation focuses on countering the effects of climate change by actively reducing contributing factors to global warming like excessive GHG emissions.
Ocean Acidification: An increase in ocean acidity due to the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.
Resiliency: In terms of Arctic adaptation measures, this term refers to the ability of Arctic project and planning to envision and create efforts keeping in mind the long-term viability of communities. Ensuring cultural preservation as well as long-term economic, environmental, and communal stability is essential for a resilient arctic.
Sustainability: As it pertains to the Arctic, sustainability means acting intentionally to include renewable resources, best practices, and sensitive planning for an environment that is very susceptible to long-term damage due to climate change.
Zone of peace: an area where no state or actor tries to force their own sovereignty/government control