Local Climate Change Narratives – Sense of Place and Future Imaginaries in Changing River Communities.

The ongoing environmental changes in the Arctic call for a deeper understanding of how local communities experience and adapt to these transformations. This PhD examines sense of place and how this shapes future climate imaginaries within riverine communities, focusing on the Altaelva community in northern Norway. In northern Peru, the community has long experienced alternating environmental changes due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation, nowadays intensified by climate change. By examining how these communities adapt to cyclical environmental shifts, this case study provides comparative insights relevant to the Arctic, where climate change presents a more linear, continuous impact.

Utilizing qualitative methods, I explore how individuals and groups form emotional and cognitive attachments to the environment while living in a changing climate. This PhD investigates locally rooted visions of climate futures that are informed by the community's sense of place, so-called “emplaced climate imaginaries”. By focusing on how the community’s attachment to the river influences their perceptions of future climate scenarios, I aim to identify the ways in which these imaginaries contribute to sustainable adaptation strategies.

The study’s focus on the intersection of emotional bonds to place and anticipatory climate futures offers insights into how communities cope with and adapt to environmental change. These findings will contribute to broader discussions on climate resilience, emphasizing the importance of integrating local narratives and experiences into climate adaptation policies. The research not only provides a lens into Arctic futures but also underscores the role of local, place-based attachments in shaping responses to climate change.