Climate change is a global issue that affects all aspects of life on Earth. However, its impacts are not evenly distributed, with some communities bearing the brunt of its effects more than others. Among these are Indigenous peoples, whose close relationship with the environment makes them particularly vulnerable to climate change. This article aims to explore the ways in which Indigenous peoples have been affected by climate change and how they are responding to these challenges.
Indigenous communities worldwide are among the first to face the direct consequences of climate change due to their dependence upon and close relationship with the environment and natural resources. For instance, in the Arctic, Indigenous communities are grappling with climate change impacts that threaten infrastructure, food sources, and traditional ways of life (EPA, n.d.).
One specific example of this is the use of stellar scintillation by Indigenous peoples for predicting weather and seasonal change. The Meriam people of Australia's Torres Strait observe subtle changes in the ways the stars twinkle to gauge changing trade winds, approaching wet weather, and temperature changes (Hamacher, Barsa, Passi, & Tapim, 2019). However, climate change is altering these patterns, making it more difficult for these communities to predict weather and seasonal changes.
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Another impact of climate change on Indigenous communities is the transmission of viruses spread by mosquitoes. Climate change is altering the habitats of these insects, leading to an increase in the spread of diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus. This has significant implications for Indigenous communities, particularly those in tropical regions (Drif, Roche, & Valade, 2020).
Climate change also affects biodiversity, which is crucial for many Indigenous communities that rely on a diverse range of species for their livelihoods. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can lead to shifts in the distribution of species, affecting the availability of traditional food sources and medicinal plants (Kapitza, Van Ha, Kompas, Golding, Cadenhead, Bal, & Wintle, 2020).
In the Arctic, climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality. Indigenous communities in the Arctic are facing widespread disruption to their everyday life as a result of climate change. Rising temperatures are causing permafrost degradation, which can lead to cracked roads, flooding hazards, and even forced migration as conditions become unsuitable for habitation (Earth.Org, 2021). Sea ice, which is crucial for hunting and transportation, is becoming less stable, and unusual weather patterns are occurring, posing risks to the safety and food security of these communities (GreenFacts, n.d.).
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Despite these challenges, Indigenous peoples are not passive victims of climate change. Instead, they are actively engaged in finding solutions and adapting to changing conditions. For instance, Indigenous communities are revitalizing traditional technologies connected to agriculture, aquaculture, and natural resource management to adapt to climate change (UNFCCC, n.d.).
In Canada, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have been at the forefront of climate action. They have been involved in co-developing solutions with the government, demonstrating the importance of Indigenous leadership in climate change mitigation and adaptation (Government of Canada, n.d.).
This partnership between the Canadian government and Indigenous communities has led to significant funding for climate action initiatives. For instance, the Government of Canada announced more than $1.3 billion in climate action funding targeted to Indigenous peoples through Canada's strengthened climate plan (Government of Canada, n.d.). This funding is aimed at supporting Indigenous-led projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change, and provide green jobs in Indigenous communities.
Indigenous communities in Canada are also taking the lead in creating their own climate action initiatives. For example, Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is an Indigenous-led organization guided by a diverse group of Indigenous knowledge keepers, water protectors, and land defenders from communities and regions across the country (Indigenous Climate Action, n.d.). The ICA works to empower Indigenous communities to take climate action and to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard in climate policy discussions.
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Furthermore, the Indigenous Climate Hub provides access to climate change resources and tools developed by Indigenous peoples for Indigenous peoples. This platform serves as a space for Indigenous communities to share knowledge and strategies for climate action (Indigenous Climate Hub, n.d.).
Indigenous peoples in Canada are also leading the fight against climate change by bringing indispensable knowledge for confronting the climate crisis. Their traditional knowledge and close relationship with the land provide unique insights into sustainable practices and climate resilience (FairPlanet, n.d.).
Indigenous knowledge also plays a crucial role in addressing climate change. For example, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia maintain important connections with the stars. However, light pollution is erasing these connections, acting as a form of ongoing cultural and ecological genocide. By advocating for a reduction in light pollution, these communities are not only preserving their cultural heritage but also contributing to the fight against climate change (Hamacher, de Napoli, & Mott, 2020).
Indigenous peoples are on the frontlines of climate change, experiencing its impacts firsthand. However, they are also leading the way in finding solutions and adapting to changing conditions. By acknowledging and respecting Indigenous knowledge and leadership, we can all learn valuable lessons about resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change.
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Drif, Y., Roche, B., & Valade, P. (2020). Cons{é}quences du changement climatique pour les maladies {à} transmission vectorielle et impact en assurance de personnes. Retrieved from http://arxiv.org/pdf/2012.06482v1
Earth.Org. (2021). The Effects of Arctic Warming on Indigenous Communities. Retrieved from https://earth.org/effects-of-arctic-warming-on-indigenous-communities/
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Canada's Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/indigenous-partnership.html
GreenFacts. (n.d.). Arctic Climate Change: 7. How will people and their environment be affected by Arctic warming? Retrieved from https://www.greenfacts.org/en/arctic-climate-change/l-2/7-effects-on-people.htm
Hamacher, D. W., Barsa, J., Passi, S., & Tapim, A. (2019). Indigenous use of stellar scintillation to predict weather and seasonal change. Retrieved from http://arxiv.org/pdf/1903.01060v1
Hamacher, D. W., de Napoli, K., & Mott, B. (2020). Whitening the Sky: light pollution as a form of cultural genocide. Retrieved from http://arxiv.org/pdf/2001.11527v1
Kapitza, S., Van Ha, P., Kompas, T., Golding, N., Cadenhead, N. C. R., Bal, P., & Wintle, B. A. (2020). Assessing biophysical and socio-economic impacts of climate change on avian biodiversity. Retrieved from http://arxiv.org/pdf/2002.02721v1
United Nations. (n.d.). Climate Change | United Nations For Indigenous Peoples. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/climate-change.html
UNFCCC. (n.d.). How Indigenous Peoples Enrich Climate Action. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/news/how-indigenous-peoples-enrich-climate-action