The Arctic and its unique natural resources have become objects of increasing concern. Rapid climate change and ageing of the population are transforming the living conditions in the region. This translates into an urgent need for information that will contribute to a better understanding of these issues.
Ageing, Wellbeing and Climate Change in the Arctic addresses the important intersection of ageing, wellbeing and climate change in the Arctic region, making a key interdisciplinary contribution to an area of research on which little has been written, and limited sources of information are currently available. The book explores three key areas of discussion. First, various political issues that are currently affecting the Arctic, such as the social categorisation of elderly people. Second, the living conditions of the elderly in relation to Arctic climate change. Third, the wellbeing of elderly people in terms of traditional knowledge and lifestyles. The book also features contributions from a number of key researchers in the field which examine a broad range of case studies, including the impact of climate change on health in Lapland and elderly people and geographical mobility in Norway.
This book will be of great interest to scholars of climate change, gerontology and social policy.
This book addresses the important intersection of ageing, wellbeing and climate change in the Arctic region, making a key interdisciplinary contribution to an area of research on which little has been written, and limited sources of information are currently available. It will be of great interest to scholars of climate change, gerontology and social policy.
Introduction Part I – Position of older people and policies in the Arctic 1. How ageism undermines older people’s human rights and social inclusion: Revisiting Advocacy, Agency and Need in Later Life 2. Tracing gender in political ageing strategies and the press in Finnish Lapland 3. Policies of Arctic countries to promote volunteering in old age 4. New moving patterns among middle-aged and elderly people in Norway Part II – Elderly People and climate change 5. Climate change in Lapland and its role in the health of the elderly and rural populations 6. Gender differences of older people in the changing Arctic Part III – Wellbeing of elderly people 7. What is wellbeing for the elderly? 8. Elderly Sami and quality of life: Creative strategies applied by the elderly within a Swedish Sami context 9. Elderly homecare recipients’ experiences of homecare: client centered or not? Part IV– Local traditions of Arctic communities 10. "Wanting Greenlandic food": A story of food, health, and illness in the life of an elderly Greenlandic woman 11. ‘Our forest’: ageing, agency and ‘connection with nature’ in rural Tornedalen, northern Sweden 12. Towards a broader inclusion of heritage language and traditional knowledge in the Vepsian revival movement: cultural, ideological and economic issues 13. A Room with a view: Navigating continuity and rupture within the traditional healing repertoire of Northern Troms Conclusion