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Timlin U, Rautio A. COVID-19 impacts in Northernmost Finland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2024; 83:2314368. [PMID: 38359161 PMCID: PMC10877646 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2024.2314368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged our lives during the years 2020-2022. Impacts could be seen in everyday life, both locally and nationally, through economic, mental and social elements. However, these effects varied depending on the life situation of individuals. This paper aims to gather information from the representatives and operators working in two Finnish municipalities, Inari and Utsjoki, to understand and learn about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data (20 interviews) were collected between December 2021 and February 2022 and analysed following the principles of the qualitative content analysis. The results suggest that the effects of COVID-19 emerged through issues related to the national border between Finland and Norway, economic challenges, and the pressure that people experienced. However, despite challenges, people were supported by everyday life and a connection to nature, communality and close co-operation. Additionally, local needs were highlighted among participants. The results provide a deeper understanding about the public health impacts in these Northernmost municipalities and can therefore be utilised in future development work. They also provide relevant information on the experiences of Sámi people, and specific views related to Sámi people can be recognised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulla Timlin
- Arctic Health, Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Arja Rautio
- Arctic Health, Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Arctic Health, Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Arctic, Oulu, Finland
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Markkula I, Turunen M, Rikkonen T, Rasmus S, Koski V, Welker JM. Climate change, cultural continuity and ecological grief: Insights from the Sámi Homeland. AMBIO 2024:10.1007/s13280-024-02012-9. [PMID: 38613746 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Arctic regions are warming significantly faster than other parts of the globe, leading to changes in snow, ice and weather conditions, ecosystems and local cultures. These changes have brought worry and concern and triggered feelings of loss among Arctic Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Recently, research has started to address emotional and social dimensions of climate change, framed through the concept of ecological grief. In this study, we examine sociocultural impacts of climate change and expressions of ecological grief among members of reindeer herding communities in the Sámi Homeland in Finland. Results indicate that ecological grief is felt in connection to major environmental concerns in the area: changes in winter weather and extreme weather events, Atlantic salmon decline and land use changes, which all have cultural and social consequences. Our results indicate that ecological grief is strongly associated with ecological losses, but also with political decisions regarding natural resource governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inkeri Markkula
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulun Yliopisto, PL 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Pohjoisranta 4, 961010, Rovaniemi, Finland.
| | - Minna Turunen
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Pohjoisranta 4, 961010, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Taru Rikkonen
- Natural Resource Institute Rovaniemi, Ounasjoentie 6, 96200, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Sirpa Rasmus
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Pohjoisranta 4, 961010, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Veina Koski
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulun Yliopisto, PL 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jeffrey M Welker
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulun Yliopisto, PL 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 211 Providence Drive, CPSB 101, Anchorage, Alaska, 99508, USA
- University of the Arctic (UArctic), Rovaniemi, Finland
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Sakariyahu R, Fagbemi T, Adigun R, Lawal R, Seyingbo O, Oyekola O. Severity of environmental degradation and the impact on quality of life in Africa. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120537. [PMID: 38508010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Considering the mounting impacts of environmental degradation on the global ecosystem, this study offers an empirical contribution to the debate on whether there exists a significant nexus between environmental degradation and quality of life in Africa. Towards this end, we employ several econometric techniques to account for cross-sectional dependence, causality, and also present results based on IV-Lewbel 2SLS regression. Using a sample of African countries, the results indicate cross-sectional dependence due to spill-over effects from common factors in Africa, while the panel cointegration test affirms that environmental degradation have long-term consequences for quality of life only in sub-Saharan African region. Moreover, our results reveal a unidirectional causality between environmental degradation variables and quality of life at both the continent and sub-Saharan African region levels while a bi-directional causality between these variables are revealed for North Africa. On this evidence, our conjecture is that increased mineral extraction, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation, amongst other factors, may be driving this result. Hence, improvement in environmental quality in the continent would have an increasingly beneficial effects on the well-being and survival of the populace. The varied impacts across regions also suggest that policy initiatives toward mitigating the effects of environmental degradation should consider regional dynamics of the continent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Temitope Fagbemi
- Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Rasheed Adigun
- JP Morgan and Chase, 943 Pavonia avenue, Apt 42, Jersey city, New Jersey, USA.
| | - Rodiat Lawal
- School of Business, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | | | - Olayinka Oyekola
- Department of Economics, University of Exeter, Rennes Dr, Exeter, EX4 4PU, UK.
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Self-Rated Health, Life Balance and Feeling of Empowerment When Facing Impacts of Permafrost Thaw—A Case Study from Northern Canada. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13050789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Climate warming in Arctic Canada, e.g., permafrost thaw, comprehensively impacts biota and the environment, which then affects the lives of people. This study aimed to investigate which perceived environmental and adaptation factors relate to self-rated well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life (sum variable = life balance), self-rated health, and feeling of empowerment to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. The study sample was collected from one community using a questionnaire (n = 53) and analyzed by cross-tabulation. Results indicated that most participants had at least good well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life, and a medium level of health, and over 40% assessed being empowered to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. Problems and challenges associated with permafrost thaw, e.g., health, traditional lifeways, and infrastructure, were recognized; these had impacts on life balance, feeling of empowerment, and self-rated health. Traditional knowledge regarding adaptation to face changes was seen as important. More adaptation actions from the individual to global level seemed to be needed. This study provides an overview of the situation in one area, but more research, with a larger study sample, should be conducted to achieve a deeper understanding of climate-related impacts on life and holistic well-being.
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