Climate change and indigenous peoples facts for kids

Many Aboriginal people live in rural and remote areas across Australia. These areas are often threatened by heat waves and droughts, which are made worse by climate change.

Climate change and Indigenous peoples explains how climate change affects Indigenous peoples around the world much more than other groups. These effects are especially seen in their health, environments, and communities. Some Indigenous experts say these bigger impacts are linked to past and ongoing colonialism. Indigenous peoples all over the world have special ways and traditional knowledge to deal with climate change. This knowledge can help their own communities adapt and also help non-Indigenous communities. It also shows their right to make their own decisions.

Most of the world's amazing variety of plants and animals (biodiversity) is found in Indigenous lands. There are over 370 million Indigenous peoples living in more than 90 countries. About 22% of the planet's land belongs to Indigenous territories. Indigenous peoples are key keepers of knowledge in their communities. This includes knowledge about how to keep nature and societies working well together. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People says that Indigenous people have special knowledge, old practices, and cultural ways. These can help manage natural resources in a good and lasting way.

Indigenous peoples experience the effects of climate change in many ways. This is because they live in so many different places around the world. Also, their cultures and ways of life are often deeply connected to the land. They see nature differently than some Western ideas, not just as something to own or use. Scientists are now starting to include these many experiences in their research on climate change and possible solutions. Because of this, traditional knowledge and practices are becoming more respected in science.

Why Climate Change Affects Indigenous Peoples More

Reports show that millions of people worldwide may have to move. This is due to rising seas, floods, droughts, and storms. While these problems will affect everyone, they will hit Indigenous peoples much harder.

Many Indigenous farmers are seeing clear changes in the climate and nature. This happens even if they don't know much about the term "climate change." For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have used their own farming calendars. These calendars depend on things like wind direction, blooming seasons, and bird migrations. But with global warming, farmers who rely on these old ways feel helpless. Nature's cycles are changing. Also, farmers without modern weather forecasts struggle with sudden temperature changes or unexpected rain.

All these conditions put Indigenous peoples under mental and physical stress. For farming, "practices and traditions that have lasted thousands of years are becoming useless." This can be very hard for people whose farming methods are often tied to local religious and cultural traditions.

Indigenous peoples will be more affected by climate change for several reasons:

Indigenous communities often live in areas more at risk from climate change. These include native rainforests, the Arctic, and coastal areas.
Many Indigenous cultures and ways of life are directly linked to nature. So, the health of their environment is super important for their physical and spiritual well-being. Climate changes that harm the environment will affect people who depend on it directly. Indigenous people will suffer more because of their deep connection to the land.
The increased bad effects of climate change are also linked to unfair treatment and poverty. These problems are often caused by colonialism. Indigenous peoples have gone through many difficult past events. For example, forced removals, boarding schools, and bans on cultural practices have caused a loss of traditions.
Indigenous communities worldwide often face money problems. These are not as common in non-Indigenous communities. This is due to the unfair treatment they have experienced. These problems include lower education levels and more poverty and joblessness. These issues make them more vulnerable to climate change.

However, many studies suggest that Indigenous peoples are very good at adapting. This is true even though they experience climate change effects more. There are many examples of Indigenous people adapting. Their ability to adapt comes from the traditional knowledge within their cultures. Sadly, some of this knowledge has been lost due to difficult past events. The loss of traditional knowledge and the unfair treatment Indigenous people face are bigger threats than the changing environment itself.

How Indigenous Peoples Take Climate Action

Indigenous peoples are working to stop and fight the effects of climate change. They do this in many ways, including through climate activism. Some examples of Indigenous climate activists are Autumn Peltier and Nina Gualinga.

Autumn Peltier is from Wiikwemkoong First Nation in northern Ontario, Canada. She has been a strong voice in protecting water in Canada's Indigenous communities. Peltier is the chief water commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation. This group speaks up for 40 First Nations in Ontario. Peltier became water commissioner in 2019 when she was 14. She is pushing for action to protect Indigenous waters and is a key part of the climate action movement.

Nina Gualinga has spent most of her life protecting nature and communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. At 18, she spoke for Indigenous youth in front of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. She helped win an important case against the Ecuadorian government. The government had allowed oil drilling on Indigenous lands. Now, she speaks internationally for Indigenous rights and a world without fossil fuels. Gualinga recently won the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International President's Youth Award. This award celebrates great achievements by conservationists under 30.

Indigenous communities are also fighting climate change impacts through local projects. For example, Inuit people in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, Canada, are working to feel more connected to their culture. They organize classes to teach traditional skills. This helps people feel more connected to their culture and each other. Also, Rigolet community members worked with researchers to create an app. This app lets community members share what they find about sea ice safety. This helps reduce worry about uncertain environmental conditions. Community members say these tools help them cope with the sadness they feel about environmental changes.

Indigenous communities and groups are also working with government programs. This helps them adapt to climate change impacts. One example is the Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program (CCHAP). This program is part of Indigenous Services Canada. The Selkirk First Nation in Yukon worked with CCHAP on a project. It focused on the link between the land, water, and people who rely on fish camps for food. It also helped them continue cultural practices that support their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The Confederacy of Mainland Miꞌkmaq's Mi'kmaw Conservation Group in Nova Scotia also worked with CCHAP. They did climate research, involved community members, and reported on climate change emergency plans. The Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is the only Indigenous climate justice group in Canada. They provide "tools, education, and skills needed to make sure Indigenous knowledge drives climate solutions." For example, they held many protests that helped stop the Frontier tar sands project.

Why Indigenous Knowledge Helps in Climate Change Solutions

For a long time, Indigenous people were not included in talks about climate change. There were no clear ways for them to join research. For example, Indigenous people in the Ecuadorian rainforest saw big drops in plants and animals. They also saw more greenhouse gases from cutting down the Amazon forest. But they were not part of the 2005 REDD+ project (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation). This is hard for Indigenous people because many can see changes in their local climate. However, they might struggle to explain these changes using scientific terms.

Indigenous Knowledge is Important

Experts say that Indigenous people must be included. They believe it's fair, and also because Indigenous groups are better at protecting their forests than national parks. This local knowledge, called Indigenous knowledge (IK), is helpful for understanding climate change impacts. It's especially good at the local level where scientific models sometimes don't work as well. Also, IK is key for new environmental programs. These programs work better and get more people involved when Indigenous peoples have a say in how they are shaped. A part of IK is called Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). TEK is knowledge passed down through generations. It's about a group's relationship with other living things and their environment.

Climate Change and How We Manage It

Using Indigenous knowledge in how we manage climate issues could help with food security. It could also create a shared sense of responsibility for using natural resources. This would fit with sustainable development goals, especially the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Also, involving Indigenous people, who are most affected by climate issues, would make communities stronger. It would also increase local sustainability. This would then have good effects at higher levels. Many believe that using the knowledge of Indigenous people locally is the best way to move towards global sustainability. Indigenous communities in Northern Australia have special knowledge about weather patterns. They have adapted to climate change in the past. This knowledge can help non-Indigenous people adapt in the future. More scientists and Indigenous activists now want to include TEK in climate change policy and adaptation efforts. This would help both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) supports including Indigenous knowledge. In their Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 °C, they said:

Indigenous knowledge is very important for adapting to climate change. It helps people adapt through diverse Indigenous farming and forest management systems, shared memories, and social networks. Many experts say that recognizing Indigenous rights and ways of governing is key to adapting, reducing harm, and sustainable development.

Climate Change Around the World

Africa

Farm tools from Malawi. Researchers there have studied Indigenous farming methods.

Climate change in Africa will cause food shortages, force Indigenous people to move, and lead to more famine, drought, and floods. Climate change affects Indigenous people in Africa more. This is because they have limited ways to move, are hurt more by less biodiversity, and their farmland is damaged more by climate change.

In Nigeria, the Niger Delta is the most climate-vulnerable area. Flooding happens every year, especially along the Niger River. This has overwhelmed many towns and forced people from their homes.

In southern Egypt and northern Sudan, Indigenous people still use the Coptic calendar. This is an old calendar used by farmers. But now, farmers find it hard to deal with climate change. Normally, they would plant wheat in late August. But due to new high temperatures, planting is delayed. This affects the whole crop cycle. According to Ismail El Gizouli, a Sudanese scientist: "Until 20 years ago, this calendar was almost perfect." But now, "due to climate change there is variability from one year to another."

The northernmost and southernmost countries in Africa are subtropical. Drought is a big threat from climate change in these areas. Drought leads to problems in farming, which greatly affects people's lives. Herders across the continent have dealt with dry land by moving around. They search for water for their animals.

The Arctic

Arctic temperatures are warming.

Climate change is having the biggest impact on the Arctic region. Temperatures are rising twice as fast there compared to the rest of the world. Because of this, Indigenous nations in the Arctic face huge challenges. The eight Arctic nations are responsible for 22% of all global carbon dioxide emissions. But these emissions mostly come from oil and gas companies and other non-Indigenous groups. So, Indigenous people in the Arctic have little to do with causing climate change, but they cannot escape its effects. Many groups that fight for environmental justice say that countries and companies most responsible for climate change must pay for the damage.

More carbon dioxide emissions mean a big drop in arctic sea ice decline. Less sea ice is not just affecting global temperature. It is also greatly harming Indigenous nations in new ways. Indigenous peoples in the Arctic live in Canada, Greenland, the United States, Norway, and Russia. In Canada, there are nine main Inuit groups. There are also non-Inuit Indigenous nations in northern Canada, like the Cree and Dene. In Greenland, most people are Inuit. In the United States, Arctic Indigenous peoples live in Alaska. They include the Yup'ik, Tlingit, Iñupiat, and Athabascan peoples. The Sámi people live in Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia. They are the only Indigenous group in the European Union. More than 180 Indigenous peoples live in Russia, including the Buryats and Nenets. Iceland is the only Arctic country without Indigenous nations. Because of melting ice, rising sea levels, more erosion, and loss of traditional food and hunting, all these Indigenous groups are at great risk.

For the Sámi people, their connection with reindeer is also at risk. Reindeer herding has helped the Sámi people survive for centuries. Sámi people in Finnmark, Norway, are seeing changes to this way of life due to climate change. Climate predictions show that some areas might not have the right conditions for raising reindeer in the future. Traditionally, Sámi herders would move to better areas with ideal snow and temperatures. But today, this is harder. Economic and legal rules, loss of habitat, and much less snow make it difficult for the Sámi to adapt. There is also much uncertainty about climate change. It may bring even more unexpected problems for this traditional practice. Reindeer are not just important for money to the Sámi. They are also a core part of their culture. Reindeer inspire their music, festivals, language, and stories. To help the Sámi, countries in Scandinavia and the world must respect their traditional knowledge and way of life. They must also let them be part of decision-making.

Canada

This section is transcluded from Climate change in Canada#Impacts on indigenous peoples

Alaska, United States

This section is transcluded from Climate change in the United States#Impacts on indigenous peoples

Asia

Indigenous people in Asia face many problems due to climate change. These include long droughts, floods, unusual seasonal cycles, and very strong typhoons and cyclones. This has led to less food and water, which causes more water-borne diseases, heat strokes, and malnutrition. Indigenous ways of life in Asia have been completely changed. This is due to these factors, and also because of more large farms growing only one crop (mono-culture), hydroelectric dams, and uranium mining on their lands. These projects often happen without their full permission.

In southern Iraq, Indigenous farmers still follow the methods of the Sumerians, who were farming pioneers 6000 years ago. But recently, global warming has affected the crop cycle. Summers are longer and hotter. For example, August is usually when grapes are harvested. But now, fruits are not appearing at their usual times. Also, due to higher temperatures in September, farmers cannot move their buffalo from the water. This is to keep them from overheating.

Older Indigenous farmers who use traditional methods may be confused by the changing climate. They might not know what or when to grow crops.

Latin America and Caribbean

Deforestation in the Amazon near Manaus, Brazil.

Indigenous Peoples' Backgrounds

While some Indigenous cultures thrive in cities like Mexico City, most Indigenous peoples in Latin America live in poor rural areas. These include countries like Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, and Paraguay. Indigenous people make up 40 million of the Latin American-Caribbean population. This makes them very open to climate change threats. This is due to their social, economic, geographic, cultural, and political situations. Formal education is limited in these areas. This reduces their chances to contribute skills to the economy. Most live in the Amazon rainforest. There are over 600 different language and cultural groups in Latin America. These different cultures bring unique languages, worldviews, and practices that support Indigenous ways of life.

How Climate Change Affects Indigenous Peoples

Humans have changed the climate through land use, mining, and using resources. Our actions are not only making climate change worse, but they are also threatening the lives of Indigenous peoples in vulnerable areas. Specifically, mining and logging in the Amazon rainforest and Amazon basin threaten Indigenous people's lives. These industries use land and make climate change worse. These policies were first put in place without Indigenous people's permission. Now, they are still carried out without respecting Indigenous rights, especially with projects like REDD (reducing emissions from deforestation). Not only do deforestation and breaking up forests harm the areas and lives of people, but they also release more carbon into the air. Trees absorb carbon, so cutting them down makes climate change worse. So, deforestation has and will continue to affect Indigenous people in Latin American tropical forests much more. It can even force them to leave their homelands. Also, in the Amazon Basin, where fish are a main resource, rain and flooding greatly affect fish reproduction. This changing rain and flooding has also reduced the number of fish and turtles in the Amazon River. Climate change has also changed the paths of migrating birds. It has also changed when wet and dry seasons start and end. This further confuses the daily lives of Indigenous people in Latin America.

Climate change caused by humans will likely harm Indigenous languages in the Amazon rainforest. About 20% of the world's endangered languages are found there. Losing ancestral lands will likely make it harder to save Indigenous languages. This could lead to a cultural crisis. It could threaten "ancient knowledge, cultural heritage, and a whole sense of community."

Indigenous peoples' efforts to fight climate change often go unnoticed. Their rights and resources are not always recognized. Because of this, these communities face the biggest and most negative impacts of climate change. They also suffer from some conservation programs. Due to their close connection with nature, Indigenous peoples are among the first to face the harsh effects of climate change.

Gender Equality

Indigenous peoples suffer more from climate change, and women even more so. Discrimination and some old laws make it hard for Indigenous women to be involved in politics. Their numbers are very low. However, countries like Bolivia, Ecuador, and Mexico have improved Indigenous peoples' political involvement. Also, women often do hard physical labor. To reduce harm and improve health, a group in Brazil created an eco-stove. This stove means women don't need to carry heavy wood for cooking. This has helped Indigenous women in Brazil and nearby areas. About 53,000 people now have the chance to live healthier and easier lives.

Adaptation Strategies

Indigenous peoples have vast knowledge and can predict weather patterns. This makes them vital for adapting and surviving climate threats. For hundreds of years, they have learned from nature and developed sustainable cultural strategies. This has allowed them to pass on their knowledge to future generations. This makes Indigenous peoples crucial for understanding the link between nature and people. It also helps in protecting the environment. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Indigenous peoples are changing their farming practices to adapt to climate changes. They are also moving farming activities from dry areas to wetter ones. It is very important for the Americas and the Caribbean to keep protecting the environment. This is because 65% of Indigenous land has not been heavily developed.

Policy and Global Action

After the Zapatista uprising in Mexico in the mid-1990s, Indigenous issues gained international attention. This started progress for Indigenous political involvement and recognition. Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela have the best political representation for Indigenous people. Mexico has the biggest gap between Indigenous population and their representation. International agreements and goals like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda have recognized the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Women play a key role in fighting climate change, especially in Indigenous cultures. It is important to recognize their strong leadership and successes. Despite climate change threats, Indigenous women have stepped up. They push for lasting solutions at local and global levels.

Caribbean

Climate change affects Indigenous peoples in the Caribbean much more, even though they contribute least to it. The main effect of climate change in the Caribbean is more frequent extreme weather events. There have been many flash floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, strong winds, and landslides. These events have caused widespread damage to buildings and property for everyone. For example, Hurricane Ivan caused damage equal to 135% of Grenada's economy. This set the country back about ten years. However, Indigenous people feel these effects most strongly. This is because they have been forced to live in the most extreme areas due to the lasting effects of colonialism. In these areas, extreme weather is even worse, destroying crops and animals. Also, in the Caribbean, people have reported beach erosion, less beach access, less plants, rising sea levels, and drying rivers. Erosion and plant loss are partly due to more buildings along vulnerable coastlines. This is often linked to growing tourism and human activity.

In 2005, a large coral bleaching event happened across the Caribbean. This was due to unusually high sea surface temperatures. This may or may not be linked to climate change. Widespread coral bleaching can harm marine ecosystems and reduce fish. Indigenous Caribbean peoples may rely on fish for food and income. Many Caribbean regions have little water. Many Small Island Developing States depend on rain and groundwater. So, water security has also become a problem.

Indigenous peoples and others in these regions must change farming practices. They also need to include disaster plans, national sustainable development goals, and environmental protection in daily life. Indigenous lands are constantly under threat from governments and industries. So, it is important for Indigenous peoples to work with groups like the Rainforest Alliance to fight for their rights. The Caribbean region has been focusing on building skills. This helps Indigenous peoples use their traditional knowledge to make their communities stronger against climate change.

North America

A person protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline holds a sign saying "We can't drink oil! #NoDAPL"

Climate change effects on Indigenous peoples in North America include rising temperatures, changing rainfall, less glacier and snow, rising sea levels, more floods, droughts, and extreme weather. These changes can lead to food and water shortages. They can also limit access to traditional foods and places. There might also be more infectious diseases.

One in four Native Americans face food insecurity. North American peoples, like the Inuit, rely on hunting, fishing, and gathering. In some Indigenous communities, 15-22% of their diet comes from traditional foods. These activities are important for tribal culture and for a tribe's ability to make its own decisions. Indigenous North American diets include foods like wild rice, shellfish, moose, deer, berries, caribou, and fish. Climate change makes it harder for tribes to eat their traditional diets. This is due to changes in freshwater, changing animal migration, and rare native plants. The traditional diets of Indigenous North Americans also provide key nutrients. Without these foods, and often because they live in "food deserts" and face poverty, Native Americans on reservations suffer more from diet-related diseases. These include diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. In some Native American counties, 20% of children aged 2–5 are obese.

Indigenous populations in the United States and Canada are very vulnerable to climate change. This is due to economic disadvantages. These environmental changes will affect the lives of Indigenous groups. These include Alaska Natives, Inuit, Dene, and Gwichʼin people. Indigenous communities in North America have higher rates of poverty. They also have less access to education, housing, and jobs than non-Indigenous communities. These conditions make Indigenous communities more vulnerable to climate change. These disadvantages also limit their ability to cope with and recover from climate change's harmful effects. Some proposed solutions for climate change in North America, like reducing coal pollution, can actually harm Indigenous peoples' rights. They ignore what is best for them to keep the economy strong. Many tribal communities have already needed to move or protect themselves from climate change (like rising sea levels). But there is a general lack of money and government programs to help them. This can lead to further loss of Indigenous cultures and communities. Also, less variety of plants and animals (biodiversity) makes it very hard for Indigenous peoples to adapt to changes in their environment. Such uncertainties and changes in daily life and culture, along with the destruction of important ecosystems and species, can harm people's mental health and their "sense of place."

Also, rising temperatures threaten cultural practices. Many Indigenous ceremonies involve going days without food or water. This can become dangerous in increasingly hot weather.

It is important to understand Indigenous knowledge when looking at climate change and Indigenous peoples. Climate change directly affects the lives of many Indigenous peoples and their connection to the land. Because of this, these communities have developed various Indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge is the shared knowledge passed down through many generations. It is about people's relationship with the environment. These knowledge systems are becoming more important in climate change discussions. This is because they have long histories of observing nature and understanding local environments. However, sharing this knowledge can be risky. Traditional knowledge is often part of an Indigenous group's spiritual identity. Misusing it can lead to disrespect and exploitation of their culture. So, some may be hesitant to share their knowledge. But, one example of how Indigenous knowledge has helped understand climate change is the monitoring of the Arctic by Alaska Natives. Their knowledge has been used to track changes in animal behavior and weather. It also helps develop ways to adapt to a changing environment.

In response to environmental changes in North American tribal communities, Indigenous activism movements have grown. They protest against the unfairness they face. A well-known example is the #NoDAPL movement. On April 1st, tribal citizens of the Standing Rock Lakota Nation and other Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota citizens set up a camp. They protested against an oil pipeline planned through Indigenous land. Another example is in Northwestern Ontario. There, Indigenous peoples of the Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation (Grassy Narrows First Nation) have protested against clearcutting in their territory. Tribes in Washington that rely on fish have protested against too much fishing and habitat destruction. Indigenous environmental activism fights against climate change effects and forces that harm tribal land. It aims to correct their vulnerability and disadvantaged status. It also adds to the bigger discussion about tribal sovereignty. To promote recognition of Indigenous tribes, Indigenous scientists and groups like the American Indian Science and Engineering Society have noted how important it is to include Indigenous sciences in efforts towards sustainability.

Pacific and Oceania

Cargo arriving at the sinking island of Tuvalu, South Pacific.

The Pacific region has low land and many islands along its coasts. This makes it very vulnerable to rising sea levels and erosion from climate change. Whole islands in the Pacific have sunk due to climate change. This has forced Indigenous people to move and has caused deaths. Also, the region suffers from more frequent and severe cyclones, floods, and stronger tides. There is also less variety of plants and animals (biodiversity) due to the destruction of coral reefs and marine ecosystems. This loss of biodiversity means fewer fish and other sea life. Indigenous people in the region rely on these for food. Indigenous people are also losing many food sources, like sugarcane, yams, and bananas, to climate change. They are also seeing less drinkable water from rainfall.

Many Pacific island nations rely heavily on tourism for their economy. Indigenous people are affected by how tourism changes, and how climate change impacts tourism. Pacific coral reefs are a big tourist attraction. But with the ocean becoming more acidic and warmer due to climate change, the coral reefs are bleaching. This leads to fewer tourists and less money for the industry.

According to Rebecca Tsosie, a professor known for her work on Indigenous peoples' human rights, climate change effects are very clear in the Pacific region. She says this is because Indigenous peoples have a strong and deep connection with their environment. This close relationship means Indigenous populations need to adapt quickly to climate change effects. This is because they depend so much on the environment around them.

Australia

Many Aboriginal people live in rural and remote farming areas across Australia. This is especially true in the Northern and Southern parts of the continent. Climate change affects different Aboriginal communities in various ways. This includes cyclones in the north and flooding in Central Australia. These events harm cultural sites and the connection between Indigenous people and places holding their traditional knowledge.

Some of these changes include rising sea levels, hotter and longer heatwaves, and more severe cyclones. Climate issues include wild fires, heat waves, floods, cyclones, rising sea-levels, rising temperatures, and erosion. The communities most affected are in the North. There, Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders make up 30% of the population. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on the northern coast are the most disadvantaged. This is due to social and economic problems and their reliance on traditional lands for food, culture, and health. This has made many community members wonder if they should move or stay.

Indigenous people have always responded and adapted to climate change. This includes Indigenous people of Australia. Aboriginal Australian people have lived in Australia for tens of thousands of years. Because they have lived there so long, Aboriginal Australians have watched and adapted to climate and environmental changes for thousands of years. This uniquely prepares them to respond to current climate changes. Even though these communities have changed their practices over time, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) exists that can help local and Indigenous communities today. Indigenous people have not been given many chances or platforms to share their traditional knowledge. This knowledge could help create current international and local policies for climate change adaptation.