This study underscores the importance of the experience of indigenous peoples in the climate change debate by focusing on their twin roles: a) as sentinels by cataloguing actual current impacts, rather than projections and speculations; and b) as innovators by reviewing the implementation of local adaptation and mitigation measures. This survey is a valuable resource for environmentalists, scholars, indigenous peoples’ organizations and policy-makers.
Focus areas:
Adaptation
Regions covered:
Global
Participating entities:
UNU-IAS Traditional Knowledge Initiative
Publications:
Climate Change, Adaptation and Indigenous Peoples — A Global Compendium of Case Studies (forthcoming)
Results:
A compendium of case studies and associated analysis.
The IPCC has identified local knowledge as an important missing element in its previous assessments and a focus for its next assessment process. The UNU-IAS Traditional Knowledge Initiative looks at this important area.
GEIC is a joint initiative between the United Nations University and the Minstry of the Environment, Japan.
Links
On 7 December 2009, the international community will gather at a conference in Copenhagen to try to find a solution to the gravest danger our planet faces: climate change.
Global Dashboard, edited by David Steven and Alex Evans, offers insightful analysis of vital issues including climate change, the food crisis, and human security. Be sure to read their article Climate Change: The State of the Debate(PDF).
