Responding to the Effects of Climate Change on Indigenous Peoples
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Autonomy and Responsibility DR
IndiGenius Climate Change Mitigation DR
Introduction to the Committee
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making body of the UN. As all member states are part of this committee and have an equal vote, it provides a unique setting for multilateral discussions on issues that the international community faces, including matter relating to indigenous peoples. The General Assembly meets in regular sessions from September to December every year.
Introduction to the Topic
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples are culturally and ethnically distinct groups of people which are direct descendants of the earliest inhabitants within a geographical region. The indigenous peoples of said region will always be historically associated with a specific territory. In most cases these descendants maintain a majority of the culture and language of their ancestors. Indigenous peoples may also be referred to as Aboriginal peoples, Native peoples and Indigenous natives. Indigenous groups can be found in every inhabited climate zone and continent with about 5’000 indigenous nations around the world. The estimated total population of indigenous peoples ranges from 250 million up to 600 million. Tragically, the majority of these indigenous groups have faced colonization and resettlement. Today, many indigenous groups are internationally active, lobbying for access to basic rights, a collective identity and the protection of their cultures and lifestyles.
Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples
Climate change has been disproportionately affecting indigenous peoples over non-indigenous peoples. Around 22% of the planet’s land is indigenous territory. In relation to this, a majority of the world’s biodiversity falls into the indigenous land. Maintenance of tradition and knowledge is a key factor of indigenous peoples, with this comes the knowledge of the land and how to adapt to natural changes. With the effects of climate change however, indigenous farmers struggle to adapt and survive. In addition to these unpredictable and often harmful changes due to climate change, most indigenous groups lack the technologies and capabilities to overcome these challenges. “Practice and traditions that have withstood thousands of years of civilization are becoming obsolete.”
There are several reasons as to why indigenous peoples are more vulnerable to climate change:
Indigenous peoples are often located in regions more affected by climate change, such as the arctic, coastal areas and native rainforests
Due to a deep connection with the land that indigenous peoples live on, significant changes leave a negative impact on their culture and lifestyle
Many of the negative effects of climate change may also be related to issues caused by colonialism, such as resettlement, loss of land claims and massacres
Indigenous peoples rely much more heavily on the land around them due to many economic disadvantages that they face, such as lower education and higher rates of poverty
Regional Impacts
Africa
The major impacts of climate change in Africa have been:
Food insecurity
Displacement of Indigenous peoples
Increased famine, floods and droughts
With limited mobility and accessibility to migrational routes, indigenous people have disproportionately suffered when compared to non-indigenous peoples. With decreased biodiversity, agricultural capabilities have decreased as well. In areas around the Niger Delta, an increase in floods has been recorded. This has resulted in a mass displacement of people from their homes. Crop cycles have also been impacted, making it harder for farmers to adapt to the variability due to climate change. In subtropical areas, droughts are the most significant problem to the indigenous peoples’ way of life. For example, the indigenous peoples of the Kalahari Desert must now depend on government support for their survival. This includes relocating to drilled bored for access to water.
Country Suggestions:
Chad
Botswana
Republic of Congo
The Arctic
When compared with the rest of the world, the temperatures in the arctic are rising at twice the magnitude. Due to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, there has been a significant arctic sea ice decline. In addition to this, climate change has caused weather patterns to become much harder to predict, leading to a difficulty in travelling and food insecurity. The indigenous people of the Arctic rely on local wildlife, not only for food but also for economic and cultural purposes. In Finland, Norway and Sweden, the Sàmi people are experiencing hardships as well. Due to rain and mild weather in the winter, it becomes difficult for reindeer to reach vital food sources, leading to a massive loss in reindeers. This once again not only impacts Sàmi culture, but their economy as well, as they are forced to feed their livestock with fodder. This is a much more expensive alternative and not viable as a long-term option.
Country Suggestions:
Finland, Norway, Sweden
Russia
Canada
Asia
In addition to the problems that can be found in Africa, the indigenous peoples of Asia also face typhoons and cyclones of unprecedented strength and generally unpredictable weather. As a result of this, food and water security have worsened, leading to many diseases and other inflictions such as heat-stroke and malnutrition. In addition to this, the Himalayan region has been experiencing increased glacial melts. This is a region that highly depends on the seasonal flow of water, leading to a short-term increase in water access, but potential problems in the long run.
Country Suggestions:
Bangladesh
Vietnam
Indonesia
South America
Alongside the issues faced in Africa and Asia, deforestation and forest fragmentation contribute to an increase in carbon being released into the atmosphere, adding to the effects of climate change. As a result of this, droughts and forest fires have become commonplace. The livelihoods and cultures of the Indigenous peoples in South America, specifically in the Amazons, have suffered greatly as a result.
Country Suggestions:
Brazil
Colombia
Bolivia
North America
The problems that indigenous peoples in North America face encapsulate all of the problems faced around the world. Temperature increases, precipitation changes, decreased glacier and snow coverage, rising sea levels, increased floods, increased droughts and extreme weather overall. Indigenous peoples in North America, like indigenous peoples in the rest of the world, struggle with food and water insecurity. In addition, they also face exposure to infectious disease. One in four Indigenous peoples in North America face food insecurity, with Native Americans living on reservations facing opposite problems such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Country Suggestions:
Canada
United States of America
Mexico
Benefits of Cooperation with Indigenous Peoples
Historically, Indigenous peoples have not been given much opportunity to participate in discussions and programs combatting the effects of climate change. However cooperation with them has many benefits, one being the wealth of region-specific knowledge that they have access to. The local knowledge that these groups have are often critical in determining impacts of climate change, where many scientific models have failed.
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) has also led to many innovations to combat the effects of climate change. For example in Bangladesh, villages are creating floating vegetable gardens to negate the heavier impact of floods. In Vietnam, dense mangroves are being planted along the coast to decrease the impact of tropical storm waves.
In North America, many indigenous peoples are looking towards the economic benefits of climate change, in which they may be able to support the change towards green renewable energy. The great plains provide a perfect source of wind energy, in which they will be able to provide land for the placement of wind turbines.
Conclusion
Climate change is a serious issue that affects the entire planet, but unfairly impacts indigenous peoples. They have historically been victims of oppression and colonization, and as a results of that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Action must be taken, to respond to the effects of climate change on indigenous peoples.
Questions a Resolution Should Answer
What can be done to ensure food and water security for Indigenous peoples?
Are there any innovative solutions to this problem?
Can indigenous groups be provided with better representation on the international stage?
Is there a possibility to cooperate with indigenous groups to combat the effects of climate change?
Practical Advice for your Research
Are there Indigenous peoples in your country?
Is your country vulnerable to climate change?
What has been done in combat the effects of climate change in your country?
