There has been very little documented research conducted on food security in the Barents region when compared to other areas of the Arctic, such as Canada and Alaska. The authors specified that food security in the Arctic-Barents region is subject to a plurality of conditions attributable to the heterogeneity of the territory and national contexts that influence the governance of these territories.
The recently published book on food security and its governance in the Arctic-Barents region written by Kamrul Hossain, Dele Raheem and Shaun Cormier provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the subject. The authors address existing gaps in current knowledge of the coordination and implementation of legal framework and policy that affects the Arctic-Barents region. They offer a balanced and systemic review on the role of traditional foods in this region, along with an overview of the regulatory tools and institutions that govern food security.
Food security and safety in the Arctic-Barents region is connected to and are impacted by transformations from both inside and outside the area. The authors emphasized that climate change, globalization and human activities affect the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food. The result of these transformations has an impact on food security and safety for both indigenous and non-indigenous individuals and communities. The authors, by highlighting these challenges, reveal the importance of having harmonized policies and legal tools in place for strengthening food security and safety in the Barents region. Researchers, policy makers, and other stakeholders will find the book as an important contribution to the promotion of policies and strategies on food security.
More information:
Research Professor Kamrul Hossain
The Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law
Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
+358 40 484 4281, kamrul.hossain(at)ulapland.fi
Original article on University of Lapland website.