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Over the past two weeks I have had the unique privilege of traveling from my home outside of Denver, Colorado, to Barrow, Alaska, and to the Amazon River basin in Peru.
My wife and I make our home in the mountains West of Denver because we appreciate nature and all that it has to offer. Because we are in the mountains, it requires us to be prepared for all kinds of weather, from warm temperatures – at times into the 90 degree range – in the summer, to 3.5 foot snow falls as we had this past Spring. Regardless of the season, we must adapt to what the weather presents to us. The adaptations that are required of us pale in comparison to those required of the residents of Barrow, AK, and those who live in the Amazon river Basin.
Barrow, AK, is the northern most city in the US and the 11th most northern city in the world. Because it about 320 miles north of the arctic circle, the residence of Barrow experience 65 days of 24 hour sunlight in the summer and 65 no sunlight (twilight) in the winter. Average temperatures in July (the warmest month) are about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and in January and February (the coldest months) are about -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Barrow has a population of about 4500 people who adapt to this environment. As if the 24 hours of sunlight didn’t make it difficult enough to sleep (our bodies rely on external light cues to let it know when it is time to sleep), the 24 hours of darkness for 65 days would be a non-starter for most people – and on top of that you have the hostile winter temperatures. Yet the residents of Barrow adapt to the environment, sunlight, darkness, and cold temperatures, and they do so quite well.
Culturally, the harsh and changing environment requires them to prepare and adapt to the harsh climate. They not only prepare with clothing for the harsh winter temperatures, but their bodies adapt as well. I was there on a sunny day when it was 45 degrees. I was wearing light winter clothing. My guide was in a t-shirt enjoying the warm temperatures and sunlight.
Iquitos, Peru, is the largest city in the Loreto Region of the Peruvian Amazon river basin. It is a small city but US standards having a population of less than 500,000 people, but for the River People of the Amazon, it might as well be Gotham City. In contrast to Barrow, the people who live in the Amazon river basin have very steady temperatures. Average temperatures are between 87 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit, every day of the year. The big environmental challenge they face is flooding. On average, Loreto receives about 113 inches of rain per year. A full 80% of the region can be flooded almost 4 months of the year. This type of repeated flooding has created its own cultural adaptation. Because much of what they possess is often lost in the wet or flooding season, river people put little value in material things.
Why should I invest and protect physical/material possessions which I am likely to lose within short period of time? If I need another boat, I’ll carve one out of a tree. If I need another roof on my home, I’ll go to the woods and get the palm leaves to make one.
Two very different environments in two very different parts of the world lead to two very different cultures.
Keep cultivating your culture!