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FACT SHEET 4:

How will climatechanges affectindigenouscommunities?

The Arctic is home to numerous Indigenous Peopleswhose cultures and activities are shaped by the Arcticenvironment. They have interacted with theirenvironment over generations through carefulobservations and skillful adjustments in traditionalfood-harvesting activities and lifestyles. Through

ways of life closely linked to their surroundings,these peoples have developed uniquely insightful

ways of observing, interpreting, and responding tothe impacts of environmental changes.

Indigenous observations and perspectives aretherefore of special value in understanding theprocesses and impacts of arctic climate change.

There is a rich body of knowledge based on theircareful observations of and interactions with theirenvironment. Holders of this knowledge use it tomake decisions and set priorities. Across the Arctic,Indigenous Peoples are already reporting the effectsof climate change, and ACIA has attempted toincorporate knowledge and insights from IndigenousPeoples with data from scientific research, bringingtogether these complementary perspectives on arcticclimate change.

Compiling indigenous knowledge from across theArctic, a number of common themes clearly emerge,though there are regional and local variations in theseobservations:

The weather seems unstable and less predictableby traditional methods.

Snow quality and characteristics are changing.

There is more rain in winter.

Seasonal weather patterns are changing.

Water levels in many lakes are dropping.

Species not seen before are now being seen inthe Arctic.

Sea ice is declining, and its quality and timing arechanging.

Storm surges are causing increased erosion incoastal areas.

The Sun feels "stronger, stinging, sharp."Sunburns and strange skin rashes, neverexperienced before, are becoming common.

These changes are strongly affecting people in manycommunities in some cases, threatening their culturalsurvival. Distressingly, climate change is occurring fasterthan users can adapt.

Reports of climate changes from Indigenous

Peoples: In Canadas Nunavut Territory, Inuit hunters have

noticed the thinning of sea ice, a reduction in ringedseals in some areas, and the appearance of insectsand birds not usually found in their region. Inuvialuitin the western Canadian Arctic are observing anincrease in thunderstorms and lightning, previously a

very rare occurrence in the region.

Athabaskan people in Alaska and Canada havewitnessed dramatic changes in weather, vegetation,and animal distribution patterns over the last half-century.

Saami reindeer herders in Norway observe that

prevailing winds relied on for navigation have shiftedand become more variable, forcing changes intraditional travel routes. Indigenous Peoples who areaccustomed to a wide range of natural climate

variations are now noticing changes that are uniquein the long experience of their peoples.

Sea ice retreat threatens ice-dwelling species andcultures that rely on them

The ringed seal is the single most important food sourcefor the Inuit, representing the majority of the food supplyin all seasons. No other species is present on the land orin the waters of Nunavut in the quantities needed tosustain the dietary requirements of the Inuit. In recent

decades, local people have observed that ringed seal pupreproduction has suffered as increased temperatures haveled to reduction and destabilization of the sea ice. Theseice changes have also affected the harvest of polar bear,another important food source, because ringed seals arecentral to the polar bear's diet and the bears are alsodirectly affected by the observed changes in snow and ice,because ringed seals are central to the polar bear's dietand the bears are also directly affected by the observedchanges in snow and ice. Hunting, catching, and sharing

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these foods is the essence of Inuit culture. Thus adecline in the number of ringed seals and polar bearsthreatens not only the dietary requirements of theInuit, but their very way of life. Because ringed sealsand polar bears are very unlikely to survive in theabsence of summer sea ice, the impact on indigenouscommunities that depend on these species is likely tobe enormous.

Strangers in their own landIndigenous Peoples access to their food resources isoften related to travel access and safety. For example,changes in the rate of spring melt and increased

variability associated with spring weather conditionshave affected access to hunting and fishing camps.

As sea ice decreases, and its quality and timing arechanging, marine hunters are affected. As IndigenousPeoples perceive it, the Arctic is becoming anenvironment at risk in the sense that sea ice is lessstable, unusual weather patterns are occurring,

vegetation cover is changing, and particular animalsare no longer found in traditional hunting areasduring specific seasons. Local landscapes, seascapes,and icescapes are becoming unfamiliar, makingpeople feel like strangers in their own land.

Reindeer Herders AffectedObserved and projected increases in temperature andprecipitation and changes in the timing of theseasons affect Saami reindeer herding in numerous

ways. Increases in periods of winter melting and inthe frequency of rain on snow result in the formationof ice-crust layers that make forage less accessible.

Increasing autumn temperatures might lead to a later startof the period with snow cover. Rising temperatures andprecipitation could increase the frequency of snow fallingon unfrozen ground. An increased number, density, anddistribution of birch trees in grazing areas has already

begun to decrease the availability of forage plants forreindeer in winter. Shifts of forest vegetation into tundraareas are likely to further reduce traditional pasture areas.

A variety of factors have constrained the ability of Saamireindeer herders to respond to and cope with climate

warming and other changes. The characteristic seasonalpattern of moving herds between winter and summerpastures reflects the herders knowledge of seasonalchanges in the availability of key resources, such as forageand water. The success of the herders is contingent uponthe freedom to move.