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Resilience humanitarianism in the record-warming Arctic: Increased Sámi-governed disaster risk reduction andclimate change adaptation in Swedish Sápmi
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Theology, Department of Theology.
2021 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

The Sámi in Swedish Sápmi are an indigenous people who are considered to live on the frontline of climate change in the record-warming Arctic. Therefore, the study examines the Sámi’s resilience to climate change and which disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) measures they have taken to date. The study also identifies obstacles that are hampering increased Sámi-governed DRR-CCA.Building on preemptive measures to mitigate risks prior to hazard onsets, resilience humanitarianism offers an increasingly parallel paradigm to classical humanitarianism. Resilience humanitarianism for instance distinguishes itself by renegotiating stakeholder relationships and terminology, enabling a shift from viewing crisis-affected as passive aid recipients to first-responders. The study is based on a literature review comprising both academic articles and Sámi-authored reports, and semi-structured interviews. The findings show that the Sámi’s resilience expresses itself through their attitudes, strong sense of identity, opportunities to create an informal community-based early warning system and Sámi villages’ land diversity. Implemented DRR-CCA measures include forecast-based assessments, CCA action plans, supplementary feeding reindeers, embracing techno-scientific tools, internal competence development and formalization, investigating climate financing opportunities and collaborating with external actors. Finally, while climate change is less predictable than other stressors and intensified weather strains reindeer health, inadequate socio-political structures are highlighted as the main obstacle. It has, for instance, led to many Sámi feeling like they have reached a limit to their resilience. Strengthened rights would enhance the Sámi’s possibilities to address root causes of the obstacles to increased DRR-CCA, for instance greater influence to affect land-use in Sámi villages, as land diversity is identified as key to resilience.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2021. , p. 35
Keywords [en]
Sámi, Arctic, Climate Change, Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation
National Category
Other Humanities not elsewhere specified
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-489503OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-489503DiVA, id: diva2:1715144
Subject / course
International Humanitarian Action
Educational program
Master Programme in Humanitarian Action and Conflict
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2022-12-01 Created: 2022-12-01 Last updated: 2022-12-01Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
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