| Popis: |
This chapter presents findings from anthropological research on Nenets community vulnerability to anthropogenic and environmental changes in North West Russia. Rapid changes in the environmental landscape in combination with ongoing societal changes pose a real threat to the livelihoods and semi nomadic way of life of reindeer herders. Variation in the freeze-thaw cycles of sea- and inland ice, alteration in the timing and intensity of weather events, and river bank erosion, influence the mobility and lifestyles on the tundra and in the villages. Numerous previous small- and large scale development projects have been visited upon this remote location such as the introduction of the cattle breeding among Nenets, as well as engineering attempts to develop road infrastructure, to retard river erosion, to ensure safe drinking water sources, to improve electricity supply for the village, and to introduce specific requirements to improve travel safety were not successful. In most cases the cause of ultimate project failure was not only insufficient consideration of local natural environmental conditions or limited funds, often the new projects or new technologies failed to take into account local perceptions. This chapter analyses how members of an Arctic society perceive, conceptualise and negotiate changes in their environment, focusing on cultural factors that shape human sensitivities and adaptive strategies. I argue that concrete measures that people take to respond to changes in their environment and possibilities of lowering vulnerability will depend as much on human values as on planning, engineering and policies. |
