LAUSR

Study/Objective: To examine community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Response (DRRR) approaches to wicked problems (Rittel andWebber 1973) and cascading disasters (Little 2012; Pescaroli 2015) in the Arctic; and to understand how these approaches do or do not change in correlation with the degree/type of the wicked problem and related circumstances, such as the degree of interconnectedness of critical infrastructure. Background: Communities across the Arctic have been subjects to climate stressors, impacts and other natural-hazard induced or man-made crises and disasters. These range from violent ocean and winter storms, landslides, floods, erosion, earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear, maritime and aviation incidents, etc. In some cases, the response is governmentally aided, such as in the case of planned relocations of entire communities to other, safer locations (see Alaska or Norway). However, when facing disasters of a more complex nature ie. cascading disasters, wicked problems, interconnected infrastructures across functional and national boundaries emergency and disaster response institutions have often been slow to adapt and react. Consequently, many communities across the Arctic feel left to their own devices in dealing with DRRR. Methods: Following an extensive literature review of the theoretical framework, this qualitative study examines and analyses case study data from around the Arctic, to shed light on community-based approaches to vulnerability and risk reduction and response to cascading disasters and wicked problems. Results: Initial results indicate valuable insights into a novel topic, and shows the challenges and barriers faced by communities when responding to these complex events. We recognize adoption of innovative, self-help approaches such as the use of Para diplomacy and knowledge transfer with other communities around the Arctic who face similar challenges. Conclusion: Final conclusions including, diplomatic implications, future research directions and where possible, policy recommendations, will be presented at the WADEM Toronto conference in April 2017.