Public conference as part of the search for a professor in Human Geography

Summary: Permafrost degradation is one of the most significant consequences of rapid climate warming in the Arctic. This presentation introduces what permafrost is and explains how its thaw affects local communities by reshaping cultures, health and well-being, infrastructure stability, ecosystems, recreational activities and can become an economic burden. Drawing on fieldwork in the Yukon and recent scientific publications, it also highlights impacts on the tourism sector, an often overlooked dimension of permafrost-related change and adaptation. Key concepts such as local knowledge, risk, and vulnerability are introduced to connect environmental processes with human geographical perspectives. The presentation concludes with a brief comparison between Arctic and Alpine permafrost challenges to situate these issues within broader geographical debates.