Evaluating the climate change adaptation barriers of critical infrastructure in rural Alaska

ABSTRACT As climate change impacts intensify, communities in rural Alaska are undergoing and adapting to changes to infrastructure from increased permafrost thawing, flooding, and erosion. Climate change adaptation is needed to address structural failures and safety concerns. Despite recognizing the need for support from stakeholders and adaptation of infrastructure, the level of adaptation activity remains limited and inconsistent across regions and communities in rural Alaska. We address this need by identifying barriers to community-wide adaptation of infrastructure based on stakeholder perspectives who make adaptation decisions for government agencies, nonprofits, engineering firms, or academic institutions in rural Alaska. Barriers were identified qualitatively through interviews (N = 25) and validated quantitatively through surveys (N = 30). Qualitative and quantitative results identified and validated 17 barriers to adaptation of infrastructure – spanning sociocultural, institutional, economic, physical, and environmental dimensions based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). Results demonstrate the need for national adaptation funding and policy that is specific to the diverse cultural landscapes, extreme weather, rural locations, limited transportation, and high costs in rural Alaska. Adaptation funding and policy is needed that supports the collaboration of Alaska-based institutions, such as nonprofit organizations and engineering firms, Tribal entities, and rural Alaska community representatives in adaptation.