Ice and snow’s contributions to people : what are they and how will they be affected by climate change? : a case-study in Oslomarka, Norway

Abstract

Ice and snow provide many essential contributions to people and the planet, such as temperature regulation, socialising opportunities, and recreation. As an Arctic nation, Norway is one such place with an abundance of these contributions, but which are currently under threat from climate change. This study examines the contributions local people receive from nature through ice and snow and how beneficiaries expect these to be affected by climate change. Fieldwork was conducted in Oslo, Norway, and its peri-urban forest known as Oslomarka, where a sample of narratives from 132 informants among users of ice and snow was analysed.

The results indicate that beneficiaries from ice and snow see Oslomarka as a rich winter landscape that provides many intangible, or non-material contributions, including benefits to health, connection to nature, aesthetics, social bonds, transformative personal experiences, place identity, and freedom. Of these, health and connection to nature are the most highly valued. Furthermore, when considering the impacts from climate change on ice and snow in Oslomarka, users expect that the contributions of health and connection to nature will be impacted the most. Ultimately, users expect the effects of climate change on ice and snow to cause a considerable reduction in their own quality of life.

The findings of this study support a correlation in which climate change is threatening the same contributions that are not only present in Oslomarka, but that local people value the most.