Navigating extreme changes in the Bering and Chukchi Seas

Climate-driven environmental changes in the Arctic have been rapid and profound over the past two decades, and these changes have in turn presented challenges to coastal communities for subsistence activities and culture. Many coastal communities in the Bering -Chukchi sea region rely on marine mammals for subsistence and culture – as they have for millenia. Over the past two decades – a very short time compared with lived experience of communities in the region - changes in sea ice, winds, weather patterns and extreme storms have created challenges for subsistence activities including hunter safety, prey accessibility, food processing and food storage.

We weave perspectives and observations from Indigenous knowledge holders and western scientists on current climate-driven changes in environment and subsistence activities in the Bering and Chukchi seas region. Additionally, climate models project continuing decreases in sea ice seasonality and coverage, increases in Arctic cyclones and intensity of Atmospheric Rivers in this region. We explore possible implications these environmental changes may present to subsistence activities given current adaptations and concerns expressed by community members.