Peer Reviewed References
Broadhead, L. (2010). Canadian sovereignty versus northern security: The case for updating our mental map of the Arctic. International Journal: Canada’s Journal of Global Policy Analysis, 65(4), 913-930. Retrieved from http://ijx.sagepub.com/
This is a peer-reviewed article published in the International Journal, a Canadian academic journal. The article discusses the mindset of the Western population towards the Arctic. It also covers in great detail the growing demands of the Canadian Inuit population to be recognized as individuals with prior claim to the land. Broadhead argues that the Arctic must be reconsidered as a land undergoing extreme ecological and social change. The argument is that government policy must change to reflect the severity of climate change and the harsh effects it will have on communities in the north.
This article provides a perspective on how both stakeholders as well as the general population view the Arctic. It is key because it one of the few articles that fully summarizes the growing paradigm shift concerning Arctic sovereignty. There will be many communities affected by offshore drilling in Arctic waters, and Broadhead gives insight into their struggle to have their voices’ heard.
This is a synthesis article, combining the viewpoints of many other research papers. It very effectively fleshes out current and projected viewpoints of Arctic inhabitants. Its main weakness is that there are few references in the article to opposing arguments; though the author’s focus on her perspective might be considered a strength as well.
Durkalec, A., Furgal, C., Skinner, M., & Sheldon, T. (2015). Climate change influences on environment as a determinant of Indigenous health: Relationships to place, sea ice, and health in an Inuit community. Social Science & Medicine, 136-137, 17-26. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.04.026
This article is an in-depth exploration of the environment that Arctic communities exist in; authors study both the biophysical environment and the social environment of Inuit. It is a peer-reviewed article that was published in Social Science & Medicine. The article gives a brief overview of post-colonial Inuit history as context. Research centers around Inuit sea ice use and the effects of climate change on their way of life. The authors argue that the increasingly deteriorating Arctic environment is having negative effects on Inuit communities, especially in terms of health and cultural significance.
Included in the article are valuable tables indicating the (self-reported and observed) physical and emotional health of Inuit who have participated in interviews with the researchers. The Inuit participating in the study give it a unique perspective and allows researchers to report on their specific needs. This also allows us to better consider Inuit perspectives on offshore drilling, which will have a large impact on their environment.
The research is based off of interviews with two focus groups in Nunatsiavut. While the research is extremely informative and provides a (seemingly) accurate depiction of Inuit needs, further focus groups might be required to cement Inuit perspectives on the changing environment.
Ford, J., Pearce, T., Duerden, F., Furgal, C., & Smit, B. (2010). Climate change policy responses for Canada’s Inuit population: The importance of and opportunities for adaptation. Global Environmental Change, 20(1), 177-191. Retrieved from http://www.journals.elsevier.com/global-environmental-change/
This is a very significant article with respect to offshore drilling. Researchers have conducted a large scale study of Arctic communities by way of hundreds of interviews and dozens of community workshops. Their findings are peer-reviewed and were published as an article in the journal Global Environmental Change. The study focused on the communities’ ability to adapt to changes in their environment, rather than the changing environment itself. It concludes that communities have a considerable ability to adapt to environmental shifts. The article does note, however, several changes that need to made in policy and economy to support the resilience of northern communities.
In addition to interviews and study groups the article synthesizes several other case studies to examine Inuits’ needs and interests. It is a useful reference for offshore drilling research as it offers a detailed perspective on local communities’ capacity for change. This article could serve as a guide to meet the needs of communities impacted by arrival of offshore drilling. Authors worked extensively with communities to ensure accurate depictions of their perspectives; the article has been viewed and cited many times.
Pratt, K., Stevenson, J., & Everson, P. (2013). Demographic adversities and Indigenous resilience in Western Alaska. Études/Inuit/Studies, 37(1), 35-56. Retrieved from https://www.etudes-inuit-studies.ulaval.ca/en
Often in studies of Indigenous peoples there is a focus on the negative aspects of their communities. Pratt, Stevenson and Everson focus on just the opposite in this article and analyze the resilience of Arctic communities. The study was published in Études/Inuit/Studies, a peer-reviewed journal. Researchers focus on the demographics of the Arctic relative to events; they cover shifts in resource availability, epidemics and culturally impactful events. Authors argue that, based on past events, Arctic communities are resourceful, resilient, and capable of handling future challenges.
This is a useful resource when thinking about offshore drilling because it has a stronger emphasis on past events rather than future issues. Instead of focus groups with communities, researchers draw from previous case studies and synthesize them to draw their own conclusions. It is valuable to consider events that have already occurred as this might allow stakeholders to predict their needs in the forthcoming offshore drilling projects. This article does however lack some of the personal aspects of the others, and serves to give context to the issue of offshore drilling rather than outline communities’ capacity to adapt.
Stevenson, L. (2012). The psychic life of biopolitics: Survival, cooperation, and Inuit community. American Ethnologist, 39(3), 592-613. doi:10.1111/j.1548-1425.2012.01383.x
Stevenson discusses a relationship that is often considered in the offshore drilling debate: the historical relationship between Inuit and the government. She discusses the perspective of the government and its profound shift in approach over time. The article covers many injustices committed by the government towards Inuit, including the residential schools of the 1900s. What is unique about this peer-reviewed article is the chronicling of the aftermath; though the government supposedly created residential schools and housing to “educate” and prevent disease, the result was a spike in the Inuit suicide rate. Stevenson eventually concludes that Inuit perspective on life is tied intimately to a culture that emphasizes bonds and relationships above all else; the government’s past isolation of these individuals is a mistake to learn from.
The points posed in this article have been cited numerous times and presented at several universities including Harvard and Cornell University. Field work in the Arctic and interviews were conducted to solidify the arguments. Although this article is not directly related to the current offshore drilling disputes and is overly abstract at times, it is useful to understand the past actions of the Canadian government in order to analyze its future choices.
Grey Literature References
Reiss, B. (2012, May 30). Why Environmentalists Should Support Oil Exploration In Alaska’s Arctic Waters. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/
Reiss wrote this article as a guest columnist for Forbes magazine, after writing a researched book on the topic. In the article Reiss argues that offshore tests won’t harm Arctic communities, and details the many measures oil companies (Shell in particular) have taken to meet the requirements of communities, government agencies and scientists. He also argues that exploratory tests are just that – exploratory – and unimposing to the environment. He draws on the opinions of several other notable figures in environmental science to reinforce his points.
Reiss’s viewpoint is unique and argues for oil exploration in the Arctic, bringing in a new perspective to the debate. He believes that testing will not impact the Inuit way of life if done correctly. The article, being based on a lengthier book, is meticulously researched; the author spent large amounts of time with both opponents and proponents of offshore drilling. In terms of the offshore drilling debate though, it is worth noting that Reiss only supports testing at the moment, not full-blown extraction.
National Energy Board. (2011, December 1). Review of offshore drilling in the Canadian Arctic. Retrieved from https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/nrth/rctcffshrdrllngrvw/2011fnlrprt/index-eng.html
The National Energy Board (NEB) organized a review of offshore drilling policies following the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico. The review included many stakeholders including leaders of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, community representatives and even local high school students. Representatives for oil and gas companies involved were also present. The result was the written review that concludes that there are several safety issues that must be resolved before offshore drilling can commence. The review was published under the NEB by the Government of Canada.
This review directly addresses the issues present in offshore drilling, and is very useful as research because it effectively summarizes many perspectives on the issue. Direct consultation with the stakeholders aids in accurately representing their interests. From this document we can also reference past oil extraction disasters; the NEB seeks to learn from them. It is extremely detailed, being a pivotal document in the offshore oil debate. Representatives of local communities had direct input in the creation of the document and we can hear their thoughts on this new addition to their environment.
The Guardian. (2015, June 16).The new cold war: Drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/international
This web report has several interactive components and videos, but is ultimately made to convey the conflict surrounding oil in the Arctic. The Guardian interviews representatives from many stakeholders, including local representatives. It states that offshore drilling will damage a fragile ecosystem and impact the livelihoods of those that depend on it.
Although this article is rather generalized and brief, it touches on some of the cultural aspects that will be impacted by offshore drilling. This piece was written specifically on the issue of offshore drilling, and as such is relevant to our research. It also provides a very personal perspective from the local residents who were interviewed by the Guardian, something that is lacking in academic journals. Despite its brevity it is a well-researched and current article that adds another dimension to this wicked problem.
Raw Data References
Galloway, T., Johnson-Down, L., & Egeland, G. (2015). Socioeconomic and Cultural Correlates of Diet Quality in the Canadian Arctic: Results from the 2007–2008 Inuit Health Survey. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 76(3), 117-125. Retrieved from http://www.dcjournal.ca/journal/cjdpr
Researchers from several fields combine statistics with social and cultural factors in a peer-reviewed article. They examined several health factors in Inuit populations, drawn from several other studies. In addition to referencing other studies, researchers interviewed thousands of Inuit adults and did conducted a recall of what they ate 24 hours before. Researchers were able to find a positive correlation between use of Inuit language at home and the consumption of traditional food. They concluded that quality of food and consequently health are related to socioeconomic status.
These statistics could shed a light on the quality of life communities would lead depending on the effects of oil drilling on communities’ income. The article gives statistical insight on the conditions of locals that is missing from other journals. From this we can infer the benefits and consequences to local communities should oil drilling bring them jobs and increased income.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. (2008). Inuit Statistical Profile. Retrieved from https://www.itk.ca/publication/inuit-statistical-profile
This reference is a document surveying the demographics of Inuit in Canada. The goal of the document is to provide a view of the population at the time. The document makes note of the fact that Inuit are a young population, with about half of them speaking the Inuit language at home. The document also included statistics that are often discussed in journals concerning Inuit, including number of crowded homes, suicide rates and overall health.
The information for this document was drawn from several reliable sources such as the Canadian government’s 2006 census and several academic studies. The findings give concrete numbers to the abstract ideas presented in journal articles, and are useful in articulating arguments about offshore drilling. Drilling will impact communities in many tangible ways and they are represented statistically in this publication.