Finalized interdisciplinary PhD course ARCADE

In the last 10 months PhD candidate Laurien de Korte has participated in the The Arctic Academy for Social and Environmental Leadership (ARCADE) program. 

Check out the ARCADE program: https://ams.hi.is/en/projects/arcade/ 

New paper on anticipating climate risk in Norwegian municipalities out now!

Our most recent paper from the Climate Change Adaptation research group is finally published, in the journal Climate Risk Management! A collaboration between Leikny Bakke Lie, Vilde Lysgaard, and Are K. Sydnes, we focus on the anticipation of climate risk in Norwegian municipalities through a systematic literature review combined with empirical findings from an Arctic context.

Abstract:

Climate change is increasingly being coupled to extreme weather and climate events, with an observed increase in intensity and occurrence of climate-related events. Norway is no exception. Though generally considered quite resilient to climate risk, with favorable conditions for adapting on a national level, studies point to regional and local differences. Applying a mixed methods approach we combine a literature review on climate adaptation in Norwegian municipalities showing patterns and trends, with a small-N case study allowing for an in-depth exploration of four Arctic municipalities, where warming occurs faster. We investigate how Norwegian municipalities observe, identify, and prepare for climate-related hazards, by applying the anticipation stage of resilience as an analytical approach. Findings demonstrate how municipal anticipatory capabilities largely rely on external expertise to gather information and/or reduce uncertainty. Experience and familiar hazards form the basis for preparing for future risk. This leaves municipalities running the risk of adapting to present risks while neglecting future developments in vulnerability and exposure to weather and climate events. Climate adaptation has been embedded in the existing processes for risk management, applying statutory risk- and vulnerability assessments as the primary tool for identifying climate risk. We find that this framing leaves a significant imprint on the municipal adaptation efforts. Based on our findings we recommend that municipalities look to strengthen in-house competency on climate adaptation and implement the use of distinct climate risk assessments to better capture long-term risk and identify local adaptation needs and measures.

For the full article, please follow this link: Anticipating climate risk in Norwegian municipalities

- Leikny

Snow and avalanche risk management in a changing climate - ISSW2024

Last week, Tromsø was host to the world’s largest conference on snow science – the International Snow Science Workshop, ISSW 2024. The idea of the conference is to uphold an interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge and experience, where researchers, practitioners, recreationalists, and other stakeholders meet over a jam-packed program containing all things snow and avalanche!

The program covered everything from snow mechanics, modeling, instrumentation and detection, to decision-making, forecasting, education and learning, with snow and avalanches as the common denominator. Our favorite parts of the program were of course the session on avalanches and snow in a changing climate, as well as risk communication and risk management. Several presentations put focus on some avalanche challenges that very much relates to a changing climate, such as slush flow and glide snow avalanches, and the challenges relating to prediction and management of such events.

Feeling humble to be among so many highly competent and dedicated professionals within the field of snow science, it was a valuable learning experience and made for many good discussions on topics relating to climate change adaptation. We also participated in the poster session with a small contribution to NGI’s poster on Northern Norway Avalanche Surveillance program.

If you want to read more about the conference you can have a look at their website: ISSW2024. The next ISSW will be in 2026 in Whistler. And if you are interested in hearing a bit more about the topics from this years ISSW, you can check out CARE UiT Center for avalanche research and education, they have published several podcasts talking about the conference and interviewing several of this year’s presenters: Skredpodden.

- Leikny

Are Kristoffer Sydnes  –  Professor

Laurien de Korte  –  Doctoral Research Fellow

Leikny Bakke Lie  –  Doctoral Research Fellow

Maria Sydnes  –  Associate professor

Christer Henrik Pursiainen  –  Professor of Societal Security

Bjarte Rød  –  Postdoctoral researcher

Stian K. Kleiven  –  PhD-fellow