Inuit culture-based biology degree

Arctic biodiversity is under threat from both climate-induced environmental change and anthropogenic activity. However, the rapid rate of change and the challenging conditions for studying Arctic environments mean that many research questions must be answered before we can strategically allocate resources for management. Addressing threats to biodiversity in the Arctic is further complicated by the region's complex geopolitics, as eight countries claim jurisdiction over the area, with multiple local considerations such as Indigenous sovereignty and resource rights. Here, we identify research priorities to serve as a starting point for addressing the most pressing threats to Arctic biodiversity. We began by collecting pressing research questions about Arctic biodiversity, thematizing them as either threats or actions, and then categorizing them further into 18 groups. Then, drawing on cross-disciplinary and global expertise of professionals in Arctic science, management, and policy, we considered the barriers to answering these questions and proposed potential solutions that could be implemented if barriers were overcome. Overall, our horizon scan provides an expert assessment of threats (e.g., species’ responses to climate change) and actions (e.g., a lack of fundamental information regarding Arctic biodiversity) needing attention and is intended to guide future conservation action within the Arctic.

This chapter analyzes climate change impacts on Arctic biodiversity and examines the role of existing governance frameworks, as well as the creation of new legal instruments and management strategies to minimize future repercussions of such impacts. It describes the current state of Arctic biodiversity in light of projected climate change impacts for the region. The chapter focuses on existing legal frameworks governing the Arctic region and their applicability to marine biodiversity and climate change considerations, with a particular focus on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It also analyzes the scope of climate change effects on specific Arctic ecosystems and species to highlight the rapid biological and physical changes occurring in the Arctic and the need to ensure effective biodiversity conservation and management frameworks are in place. Keywords: Arctic ecosystems; Arctic marine biodiversity; climate change; Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); UNCLOS

In Inuktituk, nuna means the land. It means the rocks, rivers, mountains and the forests. Nuna is everything, and all parts of the nuna have an inua, which means a living soul. There is a special, if not sacred relationship between members of northern communities and the nuna. However, these sacred relationships are all too often glossed over, if not forgotten. In the social sciences, author John Sorenson articulates a critical argument and evocative opinions about hunting in his article; Hunting is a Part of Human Nature (John Sorenson, “Hunting is a Part of Human Nature,” Culture of Prejudice, Arguments in Critical Social Science. Eds. Judith Blackwell, Murray Smith, John Sorenson, (Canada: Broadview Press, 2003).Sorenson demonstrates that hunting is an unnatural human activity which is linked to a cultural domination over animals. However, in these statements Sorenson neglects to consider the northern hunter in Inuit communities around the world. Cultural myths, social constructions and daily activities prove that hunting animals is a core value to how many Inuit peoples relate to each other and perceive themselves in the cosmos. This is a study that examines the relationship of people, land, animals and faith in order to understand the significance of hunting within Inuit cultures.

A city is a sizable and enduring human settlement distinguished by its intricate network of structures, infrastructure, and social, economic, and cultural institutions. Cities play a vital role in a country's global economic growth and development, fostering agglomeration of economies, serving as centres of innovation and technological advancement, acting as major hubs for finances and employment, and facilitating infrastructure development while providing access to broader markets. Often specializing in specific industries or sectors, cities offer amenities such as healthcare, education, employment, and recreational opportunities that enhance their appeal to residents seeking a high quality of life. However, the majority of unplanned cities grapple with the challenge of balancing economic, social, and environmental perspectives. Key issues include rapid population growth, urban sprawl, inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, conflicting interests among stakeholders-particularly regarding development versus conservation and pressing environmental concerns like pollution, improper waste management, health issues, and climate change. Addressing these challenges requires cities to evolve into 'Living Cities,' where human settlements can flourish indefinitely as part of nature's beauty and diversity. Achieving this balance involves integrating economic, social, and environmental perspectives. This paper presents detailed strategies under various subheadings, including Integrated Urban Planning with a focus on promoting public transport, increasing green spaces, and conserving biodiversity. It also covers Water Conservation, measures to enhance resilience to climate change impacts, such as strategic infrastructure siting and nature-based solutions, and the promotion of renewable energy and green building concepts to conserve finite resources. Efficient waste management is highlighted to ensure a waste-free urban environment. The paper underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement, involving the public, private sector, NGOs, and communities in the decision-making process through participatory planning and citizen engagement. While acknowledging existing supportive policies and strategies in the country, the paper emphasizes the need for their enforcement and proper implementation to achieve the desired target of sustainable cities-living cities where human populations thrive harmoniously as part of nature's beauty and diversity.
 
 Keywords: Living city, Sustainable city, Urban, Settlement, Integrated planning

Facing the Death of Nature

The public health strategy in Kalaallit Nunaat, known as Inuuneritta, guides national health priorities and is monitored in part by the Population Health Surveys in Kalaallit Nunaat. These surveys, initiated in 1993, provide crucial data supporting public health initiatives and scientific research. The present study is methodologically similar to the original survey from 1993, with emphasis on the close collaboration with the community in Kalaallit Nunaat. This protocol outlines the Population Health Study in Kalaallit Nunaat 2024-2026. The cross-sectional random sampling aims for national and municipal representation and includes both rural and remote areas. It is the aim to recruit 3500 participants (⩾15 years old), equivalent to 620 from each municipality plus an additional 400 from the remote east coast of Kalaallit Nunaat. Data will be collected via (a) an interviewer administered questionnaire, (b) qualitative interviews in the form of Sharing Circles and individual interviews among selected participants and (c) a few clinical examinations not including blood sampling. It covers a wide range of health determinants, such as self-rated health, disabilities, mental health, suicide, smoking, alcohol use, diet, time spent in nature, climate change and adverse childhood experiences. The study's design reflects a balance between resource considerations and comprehensive data collection. The study aims to advance our understanding of the public health landscape in Kalaallit Nunaat and findings will inform policy, enable evidence-based interventions and monitoring of the public health strategy.

Climate change is a public health emergency.1Solomon CG LaRocque RC Climate change–a health emergency.N Engl J Med. 2019; 380: 209-211Crossref PubMed Scopus (75) Google Scholar Clinicians worldwide now face the reality of caring for patients during wildfires, heat waves, floods, and shifting infectious disease patterns. Health-care workers need better preparation to care for communities facing the health effects of climate change.2Salas RN The climate crisis and clinical practice.N Engl J Med. 2020; 382: 589-591Crossref PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar Medical students have been key advocates in these efforts, driving research, community partnerships, and education.3Goshua A Gomez J Erny B et al.Addressing climate change and its effects on human health: a call to action for medical schools.Acad Med. 2021; 96: 324-328Crossref PubMed Scopus (44) Google Scholar, 4Fadadu RP Jayaraman T Teherani A Climate and health education for medical students.Clin Teach. 2021; 18: 362-364Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar, 5Baker N Bromley-Dulfano R Chan J et al.COVID-19 solutions are climate solutions: lessons from reusable gowns.Front Public Health. 2020; 8590275Crossref Scopus (20) Google Scholar When we began medical school during record-setting Californian wildfires and a global pandemic, our curriculum did not address the effect of climate change on human health, nor the disproportionate effects on communities made vulnerable by racism and poverty. Here, we detail how we integrated the effects of climate change on health into more than a dozen courses at our institution, starting with the preclinical curriculum and then progressing through all levels of training. In this Comment, we use the example of reproductive health and obstetrics and gynaecology education to describe this longitudinal approach. Our student team first addressed the preclinical curriculum, highlighting the effect of climate change on disease pathophysiology across human health. We began with a review of our required preclinical curriculum, identifying areas of opportunity for integration on the basis of peer-reviewed literature. We worked closely with course faculty leads to incorporate climate topics into pre-existing course materials using an equity lens, emphasising the disproportionate health effects of climate change on low-resourced communities.4Fadadu RP Jayaraman T Teherani A Climate and health education for medical students.Clin Teach. 2021; 18: 362-364Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar, 5Baker N Bromley-Dulfano R Chan J et al.COVID-19 solutions are climate solutions: lessons from reusable gowns.Front Public Health. 2020; 8590275Crossref Scopus (20) Google Scholar, 6Nardone A Casey JA Morello-Frosch R Mujahid M Balmes JR Thakur N Associations between historical residential redlining and current age-adjusted rates of emergency department visits due to asthma across eight cities in California: an ecological study.Lancet Planet Health. 2020; 4: e24-e31Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (164) Google Scholar For example, we supplemented our reproductive health course with lecture slides identifying air pollution and heat exposure as environmental teratogens that increased the risk of adverse birth outcomes, especially for Black women and people with asthma.7Bekkar B Pacheco S Basu R DeNicola N Association of air pollution and heat exposure with preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth in the US: a systematic review.JAMA Netw Open. 2020; 3e208243Crossref PubMed Scopus (257) Google Scholar Transitioning to clinical integration, our team expanded on knowledge gained in the preclinical setting to teach students how to identify climate-related disease pathology. In the obstetrics and gynaecology clerkship, we integrated climate and health effects into relevant didactic sessions and case presentations. For example, we highlighted how wildfire smoke contributes to preterm birth in our home state of California, USA.8Heft-Neal S Driscoll A Yang W Shaw G Burke M Associations between wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth in California.Environ Res. 2022; 203111872Crossref PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar Students also learned how to discuss climate-related topics in patient encounters. Lastly, we extended our efforts into the education of junior doctors, aiming to equip junior doctors with tools to counteract climate change's impacts on patients. These efforts emphasised how climate and health presentations are rooted in upstream factors that contribute to health inequities. For example, we developed a didactic session for the obstetrics and gynaecology junior doctor programme focused on taking environmental histories, providing climate-related patient education, and connecting junior doctors with advocacy resources.9Program on Reproductive Health and the EnvironmentPrenatal exposure to toxic chemicals and climate change.https://prhe.ucsf.edu/figoDate: 2022Date accessed: January 21, 2022Google Scholar Given the vital role that junior doctors play in medical student education, these efforts will not only provide junior doctors with tools to care and advocate for patients affected by climate change, but will also be passed down to medical students during clinical rotations. Although we use the obstetrics and gynaecology curriculum as an example of our longitudinal approach to climate and health education, our work has spanned across more than a dozen courses to date. Five best practices were crucial to our success: setting tangible education objectives as defined by the School of Medicine administration and relevant national climate educational efforts allowed us to develop targeted, effective educational interventions;10Fadadu R Hampshire K Ndovu A Medical students as agents of change in the climate crisis.Acad Med. 2022; 97: 1104-1105Crossref PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar soliciting iterative feedback from faculty and trainees enabled us to benchmark the school's progress in planetary health education; aligning with the Deans of Curriculum and Scholarship gave us a platform to directly interact with course faculty leads and integrate our research systematically; grounding our work in local effects and health equity by collaborating with at-risk community members ensured our educational materials were relevant to our patient population and showed how climate change is one of many social determinants of health; and connecting with national student and physician groups such as Medical Students for a Sustainable Future and Physicians for Social Responsibility enabled us to share resources, knowledge, and best practices. As climate change forces the world to grapple with a new understanding of normal, it is crucial that clinicians are prepared for the novel health effects that climate change will have on the communities they serve. A longitudinal approach to climate and equity education throughout medical training aims to not only build competency and awareness on the effects of climate change on health, but also provide an equity frame (figure). This approach empowers clinicians to effectively counsel patients within hospitals in addition to advocating for resources and policies outside clinical walls to best protect the health of their communities, ultimately preparing trainees for a career rooted in social justice and health equity. We declare no competing interests. AJ and AL contributed equally.

Climate changes, lead pollution and soil erosion in south Greenland over the past 700 years

Individual alienation, which began in the previous century with the industrialization revolution, has now progressed to the level of ecosystem alienation. Catastrophic destruction that occurs with the disruption of natural ecosystem functions proceeds insidiously. The main objective of this study is to make paraecological approaches more understandable, and aid efforts to make nature conservation and environmental ethics a way of life in the solution of environmental problems caused by ecosystemic alienation. With the magic of hedonism, an alienated person becomes lonely and robotic. Today, modernity is the main activator of alienation. Weak living things, which constitute the basic paradigm of modernity, must constantly feed this system. However, maintaining modernity tends to destroy the system by exploiting it. Ecological destruction, such as climate change, drought, and desertification have reached a global threat level. Living things are unaware that they are preparing to perish under the threat of alienation, along with their systems. Ecosystemic alienation, a latent virus that has existed for over a century, is the highest level of alienation. Selling or bartering these functions by calculating the financial value of the services and functions of natural ecosystems is another indicator of alienation. The solution is not to destroy the alienated humans (aliens) responsible for the degradation of ecosystems, but to push them to the limits and neutralize them. Efforts to create virtuous people who will solve ecological problems and adopt living as a part of nature cannot be realized with utopian principles. Adoption of global nature conservation ethics is possible with lifelong education for all ages.

Arctic permafrost is rapidly degrading in response to global warming. Its thermodynamic evolution governs carbon emissions, hydrological shifts, and terrain stability, with critical consequences for both natural systems and built infrastructure. Accurate prediction of the thermodynamic behavior of permafrost remains elusive, hindered by limited observations and underdeveloped methodologies. Here, we introduce a digital twin framework that integrates differentiable modeling (DM) with high spatial resolution distributed temperature sensing (DTS) data to predict and infer key permafrost characteristics—ground temperature, unfrozen water content, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity. By leveraging a neural‐network‐based parameterization, our framework fuses observational data with physical heat transfer equations, enabling real‐time calibration and updating of the spatiotemporally varying soil thermodynamic characteristics. Applied to permafrost beneath a road embankment in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, the digital twin accurately reconstructs the spatiotemporal evolution of soil temperature fields and captures spatial variability in permafrost thermodynamic properties. The prediction results were further validated against shear‐wave velocity distributions inferred from distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), temperature data obtained from borehole thermistors, and thermodynamic properties measured by laboratory testing, demonstrating the framework's robustness. This work advances the predictive understanding of permafrost dynamics under climate change and establishes a generalizable pathway for digital twin applications in Arctic science.

Numerical model outputs from my PhD (titled: Will fast glaciers accelerate under climate change?) and the RESPONDER project that form the basis of the figures and data in the associated publication. Data provided as .tar.gz archives containing several thousand .vtu and .pvtu files. The .pvtu and .vtu files are outputs from the numerical finite-element model, Elmer/Ice, set up to model the evolution of the subglacial hydrology of Store Glacier, a tidewater glacier in western Greenland. Information about Elmer/Ice can be found here: http://elmerice.elmerfem.org/ and I hope to have all the code I used uploaded to the main Elmer/Ice repository soon (in the meantime, please contact me if you're interested in the code). The model outputs are grouped into six .tar.gz archives, all representing three months of model time. Each archive contains three sets of files: PostCalve files are output for the ice mesh; Hydro files are outputs for the hydrology mesh (conceptually, at the base of the ice mesh) and channel files are the channel elements on the hydrology mesh (because the channels are complicated). One archive (WinterToUpload) contains the results for a representative winter scenario (no surface melt, only basal and internal melt). Two (Summer12Steady and Summer17Steady) contain results for the summers (Jun-Jul-Aug) of 2012 (high surface melt) and 2017 (low surface melt), respectively, forced using constant average surface melt derived from the regional climate model, RACMO. Two more (Summer12Daily and Summer17Daily) model the same periods, but use daily-resolution surface melt from RACMO to explore whether this more realistic method of forcing really impacts the model results (in some ways it does, in other, it doesn't). Finally, Summer12MT is identical to Summer12Steady, except the mesh resolution is coarser, to check whether that significantly impacts the results (it doesn't). When looking at the results in Paraview, just load in the .pvtu files - they reference the appropriate .vtu files. You only need to worry about individual .vtu files if you want to look at one specific mesh partition at one timestep.

Chapter 16 - Bluetongue virus and climate change

The southern margin of the Taklimakan Desert is characterized by low rainfall, heavy sandstorms, sparse vegetation and harsh ecological environment. The indigenous sheep in this area are rich in resources, with the advantages of perennial estrus and good resistance to stress in most sheep. Exploring the molecular markers of livestock adaptability in this environment will provide the molecular basis for breeding research to cope with extreme future changes in the desert environment. In this study, we analyzed the population genetic structure and linkage imbalance of five sheep breeds with three different agricultural geographic characteristics using four complementary genomic selection signals: fixation index (FST), cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (xp-EHH), Rsb (extended haplotype homozygosity between-populations) and iHS (integrated haplotype homozygosity score). We used Illumina Ovine SNP 50K Genotyping BeadChip Array, and gene annotation and enrichment analysis were performed on selected regions of the obtained genome. The ovary of Qira Black sheep (Follicular phase, Luteal phase, 30th day of pregnancy, 45th day of pregnancy) was collected, and the differentially expressed genes were screened by transcriptomic sequencing. Genome-wide selective sweep results and transcriptome data were combined for association analysis to obtain candidate genes associated with perennial estrus and stable reproduction. In order to verify the significance of the results, 15 resulting genes were randomly selected for fluorescence quantitative analysis. The results showed that Dolang sheep and Qira Black sheep evolved from Kazak sheep. Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the decay rate of sheep breeds in the Taklimakan Desert was higher than that in Yili grassland. The signals of FST, xp-EHH, Rsb and iHS detected 526, 332, 308 and 408 genes, respectively, under the threshold of 1% and 17 overlapping genes under the threshold of 5%. A total of 29 genes were detected in association analysis of whole-genome and transcriptome data. This study reveals the genetic mechanism of perennial estrus and environmental adaptability of indigenous sheep breeds in the Taklimakan Desert. It provides a theoretical basis for the conservation and exploitation of genetic resources of indigenous sheep breeds in extreme desert environment. This provides a new perspective for the quick adaptation of sheep and other mammals to extreme environments and future climate changes.

The third Galathea expedition (Galathea 3) left Copenhagen in August 2006 for a circumnavigation of the globe with the aim of conducting more than 70 scientific programmes en route. The first geological programme took place in South Greenland and included sampling of sediment cores and seismic profiling. The aim of the study is to obtain detailed knowledge about Holocene climate changes and the glacio-marine history.

Locally adapted breeds of livestock are of considerable interest since they represent potential reservoirs of adaptive fitness traits that may contribute to the future of sustainable productivity in a changing climate. Recent research, involving three hill sheep breeds geographically concentrated in the northern uplands of the UK has revealed the extent of their genetic diversity from one another and from other breeds. Results from the use of SNPs, microsatellites, and retrovirus insertions are reviewed in the context of related studies on sheep breeds world-wide to highlight opportunities offered by the genetic resources of locally adapted hill breeds. One opportunity concerns reduced susceptibility to Maedi Visna, a lentivirus with massive impacts on sheep health and productivity globally. In contrast to many mainstream breeds used in farming, each of the hill breeds analyzed are likely to be far less susceptible to the disease threat. A different opportunity, relating specifically to the Herdwick breed, is the extent to which the genome of the breed has retained primitive features, no longer present in other mainland breeds of sheep in the UK and offering a new route for discovering unique genetic traits of use to agriculture.