Understanding the Impacts of Arctic Climate Change Through the Lens of Political Ecology

Abstract

Climate change is a critical global issue with far‐reaching implications for the environment, society, and economy. Political ecology examines the relationship between political systems, social inequalities, and ecological concerns in relation to climate change. It focuses on how power dynamics, resource allocation, and political decisions influence vulnerability, adaptation, and mitigation efforts, highlighting the intersectionality between politics, ecology, and climate change impacts. Climate change in the Arctic is having profound geopolitical, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts on Indigenous Peoples. However, few, if any, studies have examined these interactions from a political ecology standpoint. Herein, we review and analyze the complex relationships and power dynamics that shape and are shaped by climate change in the Arctic through a political ecology lens, developing an understanding of how political, economic, and social factors interact to drive climate change impacts and responses. We introduce the term Arctic Political Ecology to understand these dynamics. The paper examines the significance of Indigenous knowledge, environmental governance, and Indigenous Peoples' sovereignty in control over productive resources, promoting sustainable practices, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. We highlight the need for a comprehensive approach that considers the political ecology of climate change in the Arctic to understand the interplay of capitalism, colonialism, and resource exploitation.