Description du projet
Les communautés locales s’intéressent aux solutions au dégel du pergélisol
Le pergélisol recouvre 22 % de la surface terrestre exposée de l’hémisphère nord et dégèle à un rythme alarmant, conséquence directe du changement climatique. Lors du dégel, le pergélisol libère de grandes quantités de matières organiques et de polluants dans l’environnement. En outre, ce dégel a un impact considérable sur les infrastructures des communautés locales, ce qui a des conséquences considérables sur la santé, l’économie et la société. Le projet ILLUQ, financé par l’UE, apportera une réponse à ces questions complexes. En réunissant un consortium interdisciplinaire engagé dans la recherche participative avec les parties prenantes et les détenteurs de droits locaux, il fournira la première vision holistique du dégel du pergélisol, de la pollution et du bien-être humain et environnemental dans l’Arctique. En outre, il apportera aux parties prenantes des informations sur les risques liés aux rejets de polluants, aux défaillances des infrastructures et aux modifications de l’écosystème.
Objectif
Permafrost underlies 22% of the Northern Hemisphere's exposed land surface and is thawing at an alarming rate as a direct consequence of climate change. Permafrost thaw releases large quantities of organic matter and contaminants into the environment. Contaminants, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and microbiological agents locked in permafrost, are a risk for both human and animal health. In addition, permafrost thaw dramatically impacts infrastructure in local communities with wide-ranging consequences for health, economy, and society. Yet the social, physical and health components of permafrost thaw have traditionally been studied in isolation, leading to inadequate policy options that ignore the holistic nature of the threat. There is a need for an integrated and participatory approach to the complex issues at the overlap between climate change, permafrost thaw, infrastructure damage, contaminants, health and well-being and for solutions founded on the cultural, natural and social frameworks of local communities.
ILLUQ is an interdisciplinary project rooted in participatory research with local stake- and rightsholders. Its mission is to tackle this need by providing the first holistic approach to permafrost thaw, pollution, One Health and well-being in the Arctic and delivering timely products on the risks from contaminant release, infrastructure failure and ecosystem changes to stakeholders.
ILLUQ’s endeavor is a direct answer to the pressing needs of communities on potentially disappearing permafrost. It targets the missing link between studies performed by scientists, engineers and consultants in local communities and solutions with local stake- and rightsholders focusing on the long-term implications of decision-making in the context of permafrost thaw, a time frame generally overlooked in existing governance frameworks.
Champ scientifique
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiology
- social sciencessociologyanthropology
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinateur
27570 Bremerhaven
Allemagne