Climate change – scoping the issues

(v) Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia
Indigenous peoples in the Russian Federation see the priority for adapting to climate change by creating conditions for survival and preservation of traditional cultures. This will emphasize the importance of traditional environmental knowledge and involvement of indigenous peoples in the development of a climate and environmental surveillance network in the Russian Arctic, because such a network is vitally important not only for local and national needs, but also for the global polar community at large. Also, local and indigenous peoples of the Russian North believe they should be included in the development, dissemination and implementation of policies and decisions, particularly those that control anthropogenic influence on ecosystems. Further, there must be cooperation between indigenous peoples and the academic community so that local groups can actively participate in field research projects, and their results be communicated to and among local communities. Other strategies include education programs to improve public awareness of the issues that will go towards assisting indigenous peoples developing their own attitudes and ethical norms around adaptation measures to climate change. Finally, there is a need to consider development of financial and managerial mechanisms aimed at compensation for changes in traditional subsistence practices if such changes are induced by climate change.³⁰

(vi) North America
Some indigenous groups have expressed optimism in adapting to climate change, in particular that it is likely to create some economic opportunities. For example, the increased demand for renewable energy from wind and solar energy could make tribal lands an important resource for such energy, replacing fossil fuel-derived energy and limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The Great Plains could provide a tremendous wind resource and its development could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as alleviate the management problem of the Missouri River hydropower, helping to maintain water levels for power generation, navigation, and recreation. In addition, there may be opportunities for carbon sequestration.³¹

This willingness to absorb new technologies is not new to many indigenous peoples in North America. For example,, new materials, and new ways of doing things forms a common theme in the histories of many Native peoples. Cloth (and the complexities of sewing woven textiles) replaced hides. Glass beads from Bohemia replaced porcupine quills. Aniline dyes replaced vegetable colorings. Steel knives replaced stone or bone implements. Cotton thread replaced sinew. For the future, indigenous peoples of North America believe adopting new technologies is likely to be the only means for dealing with the disruptions to their traditional subsistence economies³².