How did climate and environment affect the way of life of the inuit Aleut of life of peoples of the west?

Answer 1

The main threat facing the Inuit today is the destruction of their environment. Global warming caused by industrialised nations has terrible consequences on the Polar Regions. Animals are especially threatened, with some species dying off while new species come and replace them.

The soil is also being affected by warming because the permafrost (a thick layer of frozen soil) is starting to melt. When it melts, it releases carbon dioxide and methane and causes mudslides. The sea currents wash up toxic waste on the beaches which can harm animals and the men and women who eat them. The Inuit say industrialised countries are poisoning them.

Young people have lost hope for the future because of the high unemployment in these regions. They turn to alcohol, violence and sometimes suicide. Some community leaders try to provide jobs for them. Tourism could bring some solutions.



Where they live, and what their environment is like:

The Inuit live in northern Canada and in Alaska (which is in the United States of America), but also in Greenland, and in the North Eastern tip of Siberia (which belongs to Russia). Historians believe the Inuit first came from there, and walked across the Bering Straits over to the American continent. People sometimes incorrectly think they live in the North Pole. But it s impossible to live there as the land is always frozen and very difficult to live on.

These vast areas of land cover 12 million square kilometres. It is freezing cold in these places, especially in winter, when the sea freezes over and blizzards blow across the land sweeping up the snow it into strange shapes.

But in the summer, when it never gets dark, everything changes. The ice melts, the earth thaws, and plants grow and flower for a few short months before it gets cold again. But the summer is never long enough for trees to start growing.


Traditional Inuit way of life was influenced by the harsh climate and stark landscapes of the Arctic tundra - from beliefs inspired by stories of the aurora to practicalities like homes made of snow. Inuit invented tools, gear, and methods to help them survive in this environment. Read on to learn more about traditional Inuit ways of life, and how Inuit culture has been changed over the past century.


Inuit Homes:

In the tundra, where Inuit communities are found, there are not many building materials. No trees grow in the tundra so houses can not be made from wood unless it is transported from elsewhere. However, during a large part of the year, the cold part, there is a lot of snow in the tundra. And it turns out that snow can be a very good construction material. In the winter, Inuit lived in round houses made from blocks of snow called "igloos". In the summer, when the snow melted, Inuit lived in tent-like huts made of animal skins stretched over a frame. Although most Inuit people today live in the same community year-round, and live in homes built of other construction materials that have to be imported, in the past Inuit would migrate between a summer and winter camp which was shared by several families.

Getting Around:

To travel from one place to another, Inuit used sleds made of animal bones and skins pulled over the snow and ice by dogs. Strong dogs with thick fur like huskies, bred by Inuit, were used. On the waters of the Arctic Ocean, small boats called "kayaks" were used for hunting while larger boats called "umiaq" transported people, dogs, and supplies.

Finding Food:
Because Inuit live in places where most plants cannot grow, the traditional diet consisted of almost entirely meat. Inuit fished and hunted to get their food. Whales, walruses, seals, fish were staples of their diet.

Clothing for Staying Warm:
Traditional Inuit clothing was made from animal skins and fur. Boots were also made from animal skins. Large, thick coats with big hoods called "parkas" were worn as an outer layer. Today the parka style of coat is worn in other places in the world and it is made of many other materials.

Answer 2

The climate and environment greatly influenced the way of life of the Inuit and Aleut peoples of the west. Harsh Arctic conditions led to a focus on hunting marine mammals, fishing, and gathering plants for survival. Additionally, the cold climate encouraged a nomadic lifestyle and the development of specialized tools and techniques for hunting and living in icy regions.