1. An exploratory community-based research project **************************************** Shannon McNeeley Environmental and Societal Impacts Group National Center for Atmospheric Research 303-497-8122 phone 303-497-8125 fax Shannon@atd.ucar.edu Circle of Knowledge: Climate, Weather, and Environmental Change

2. Alaskan Climate Affairs

3. To co-develop a research plan for documenting Native observations of changes in the weather, climate and related environmental changes; examine impacts, coping mechanisms and adaptations; and exchanging complementary information and knowledge on climate, weather and environmental changes between Natives and scientists. Project Goal

4. Co-develop with interested communities along the Koyukuk River (Huslia, Hughes, Koyukuk, Alatna, Allakaket) and scientists who study Arctic and global climate change in order to better understand the changes that are happening, plan for coping with future changes and create opportunities for education that combines elements of Native Knowledge and western science. Community Participatory Research

5. Researcher is a collaborator who works with local participants to define research questions, describe experiences in their own terms, and use the research results to effect change Community Participatory Research

6. Process of mutual inquiry and problem solving Community has control and ownership of intellectual property concerning them by asking them questions they think are important, speaking in their own terms, and deciding for themselves how to use the results Involve all who are interested in participating Build capacity within the community for self sufficiency Develop local researchers Outside researcher gives back to community Principles of Community Participatory Research

7. Weather: Day to day conditions of temperature, precipitation, humidity, winds, etc. Climate: These conditions averaged over time that characterize a region – average weather

8. Climate change : Unusual environmental changes in weather and related to weather that are different from what is expected based on the past or what is considered “normal” for the area

9. Weather is more variable, less predictable, and there is an increased frequency of extreme events. Changes are happening so quickly that understanding and adaptation are more challenging than in the past

10. Some Observed Environmental Changes Related to Changes in Climate and Weather Temperature rise Melting permafrost Sea ice retreat/thinner ice Changes in weather patterns and severity Wildlife migration patterns changes Dried up waterways Changes in access to hunting grounds Less snow Shifting seasons More clouds/precipitation during summer Sea level rise Increased fire and pest infestations

12. Societal Concerns about Climate Change Health Impacts Food Security Public Safety Infrastructure Economic Impacts Cultural Integrity Adaptation/Mitigation strategies and resources

13. Project Activities January – August 2004 Meet with tribal councils (Hughes, Huslia, Koyukuk, Alatna, Allakaket) Identification of and communication with project developers Meetings with project developers in villages Acquire letters of support from tribal councils Meet with scientists at UAF and NCAR to discuss project Literature review Develop research design and report for long-term project Get approval from communities on research design

14. Timeline 2004 Meetings with tribal council(s) X X Identification of project developers XXX Meetings with village participants X X X Letters of support X Visit scientists at UAF X X X Extensive literature review XXXXX Research DesignXXXXXX Approval from Communities X… Action ItemJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug Report Preparation XX

15. Possible Research Questions What unusual changes (“anomalies”) are being seen related to weather and climate such as timing of seasons, extreme weather events, freezing and thaws, etc.? What are some of the feedbacks or indirect impacts being seen, for example, what are hunters seeing in wildlife that seem to be manifestations of climate change? How are expectations of how the weather behaves still tied to the past and how does this result in negative impacts in terms of subsistence activities, food availability, health and safety, etc.? How have tribes along the Koyukuk adapted to these changes they are experiencing? What future impacts might require planning for coping or adapting into the future, for example, if there is less snow.

16. Possible Research Questions continued… What can traditional knowledge tell us about changes in the interior that western science cannot? How can TK help climate modelers think about their data collection, analysis, and model structure? What scientific knowledge on climate and weather is useful to Natives in the villages? Where are the gaps in knowledge that neither TK nor western science can explain at this stage? How far back in time can TK be useful to provide records of changes in climate and weather?