Climate change – the indigenous perspective

A new IUCN report, Climate change – the indigenous perspective, says indigenous peoples around the world will bear the brunt of climate change – but they are also armed with the traditional knowledge to survive its effects. The ingenuity of indigenous peoples is too often overlooked by policymakers making decisions related to climate change — even though they are among the most vulnerable to its impacts, according to the new report. The report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), released last month (March), points out that indigenous people usually occupy marginal and remote areas, such as small islands, coastal plains, mountain areas and drylands, where they are exposed to adverse environmental effects. Although these populations develop coping strategies, the severity of future climate change may exceed this adaptive capacity, say the report's authors. Furthermore, they are often socially vulnerable –– lacking rights, infrastructure and support, and with fragile livelihoods based only on natural resources. The areas liable to the greatest changes in climate, and indeed already affected, include the Amazon region, the Caribbean, southern Africa and southern Latin America — all containing large numbers of indigenous people. Gonzalo Oviedo, co-author of the report and IUCN senior advisor on social policy, told SciDev.Net, "Indigenous peoples' vast experience in adapting to climate variability will not be sufficient — they also need better access to other information and tools." The report emphasises the need to involve indigenous communities more in research and debate on climate change. "In the Arctic, scientists and indigenous people work together. It opens doors to knowledge not accessible through Western scientific methods," says co-author Sarah Gotheil, programme officer of IUCN's Global Marine Programme.

Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER)

The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, Inc. (CIER) is a First Nations' environmental corporation created by a Board of First Nations' leaders from across Canada

Added by  Victor K. Mugarura  May 15, 2008
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Indigenous Peoples Critical of Position on Carbon Trading

Indigenous Peoples attending the Permanent Forum are outraged that their rejection of the carbon market has been ignored in the final report of the 7th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII). The final report of the PFII hails World Bank funded carbon trading, like the Clean Development Mechanism, as "good example. . .

Added by  Victor K. Mugarura  May 15, 2008
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Midwest Tribal Aquaculture Network

The Midwest Tribal Aquaculture network (MTAN) is composed of a group of Tribal Hatchery Biologists who are interested in promoting fish rearing techniques for Tribal hatchery programs. The primary means by which MTAN helps tribal hatchery employees, is by sharing fish culture information through this quarterly newsletter.

Added by  Victor K. Mugarura  May 15, 2008
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Request urgent international support for the Ngäbe Indigenous peoples of Panama.

The Ngäbe located in the community of Charco La Pava, District of Changuinola, Province of Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panama, are being subjected to cruel violations of our fundamental human rights. The community has been taken over by the national police, whom have proceeded to repeatedly use deadly force against us, torturing community leaders. . .

Added by  Victor K. Mugarura  May 15, 2008
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International Indian Treaty Council

The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Treaties, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands.

Added by  Victor K. Mugarura  May 15, 2008
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Indigenous Aquaculture Network

The Indigenous Aquaculture Network was set up to strengthen food security, health and community development in a way that reflects Indigenous Sovereignty and Standards as related to the Water World and its interlinked natural resources through education, empowerment and capacity building by Indigenous Peoples.

Added by  Victor K. Mugarura  May 15, 2008
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Indigenous Commission for Communications Technologies in the Americas

An Indigenous Commission for Development of Communications Technologies (ICT�s) in the Americas was launched at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues meeting in New York. The Commission�s goals are to bring Indigenous peoples together with industry and relevant agencies to promote and support the use of ICT�s for legal, political,. . .

Added by  Victor K. Mugarura  May 15, 2008
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