Sociologists from the Institute of Humanities explore climate risks in the high mountain regions of Tuva
From July 7 to 18, in the Tyva Republic, within the framework of the RSF project “Changes in climate, glaciers and landscapes of Altai in the past, present and future as the basis of the model for adapting the population of inland mountainous regions of Eurasia to climate-induced environmental changes,” a sociological expedition is being held, aimed at collecting empirical data on adaptive strategies of the population in the context of climate change and the growth of natural hazards induced by global warming.
Sociologists under the direction of Doctor of Sociological Sciences, professor S. Maksimova are conducting population surveys, expert surveys and in-depth interviews in Kyzyl, Chedi-Kholsky, Ulug-Khemsky, Dzun-Khemchiksky, Ovyursky and Mongun-Taiginsky districts. The latter area is one of the most remote and closest to the glacier system, where, along with sociological studies, glaciological measurements are carried out by project partners - a team of scientists from St. Petersburg university under the direction of Doctor of Geographical Sciences, professor D. Ganyushkin.
During the expedition Altai sociologists (members of the expedition – S. Maksimova, D. Omelchenko, E. Shakhova, Yu. Trofimova, O. Surtaeva, S. Saryglar, K. Velikzhanina) have already managed to collect more than 600 standardized interviews with residents of Tuva, revealing subjective assessments of climate change and their impact on nature management and traditional activities of Tuvans, as well as more than 60 expert and 30 in-depth interviews, including with livestock workers and shepherds roaming near permafrost zones and glaciers of the Mongun-Taiga mountain range. Researchers keep records and collect media materials about modern life, problems and ideas about climate of the population of remote Tuvan villages. The work is carried out both in Russian and Tuvan at the same time thanks to the participation in the expedition of Candidate of Sociological Sciences S. Saryglar, a senior lecturer of the Department of Social and Youth Policy, and assistance to the expedition of the employees of the administration of the Kozhuuns.
The study is unique because of the poorly studied and dynamically changing subject and the interdisciplinary nature, which makes it possible to combine the achievements of scientists in the field of geography and sociology. The collected data will make it possible to describe the behavior patterns of the population of high mountain regions, taking into account their socio-economic status and other factors that determine adaptation strategies.
Head of the expedition and project manager from Altai State University S. Maksimova notes:
"We traveled through many border regions of Tuva, saw how people live. Of course, they note that the climate is changing, temperature anomalies and changes in precipitation are especially noticeable. These are not just life observations, unfortunately, as a result of the increase in the number of natural disasters livestock die, people suffer, who are often left alone with harsh living conditions, do not receive support from the state. Residents note problems with transport, communications, and since the climate policy is only being formed, the results of our research will allow us to better understand how to make it more effective taking into account local characteristics. We are grateful to the administrations of all kozhuuns for their assistance in the study. Next year we will go on an expedition to Mongolia, we will be able to compare four high-mountainous territories belonging to the Altai mountainous country."
The expedition will last until July 18, and then the members of the scientific team will start processing the materials received.