Climate Change Impacts in the United States Third National Climate Assessment [Name] [Date] Indigenous Peoples, Lands, and Resources

Indigenous Peoples, Lands, and Resources Convening Lead Authors – T.M. Bull Bennett, Kiksapa Consulting, LLC – Nancy G. Maynard, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and University of Miami Lead Authors – Patricia Cochran, Alaska Native Science Commission – Robert Gough, Intertribal Council on Utility Policy – Kathy Lynn, University of Oregon – Julie Maldonado, American University, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research – Garrit Voggesser, National Wildlife Federation – Susan Wotkyns, Northern Arizona University Contributing Authors – Karen Cozzetto, University of Colorado at Boulder

Indigenous Populations Extend beyond Reservation Lands Figure source: Norris et al. 2012

Many Tribes, Many Climate Change Initiatives Figure source: U.S. Department of Energy 2011

Forests, Fires, and Food Observed and future impacts from climate change threaten Native Peoples’ access to traditional foods such as fish, game, and wild and cultivated crops, which have provided sustenance as well as cultural, economic, medicinal, and community health for generations.

Water Quality and Quantity A significant decrease in water quality and quantity due to a variety of factors, including climate change, is affecting drinking water, food, and cultures. Native communities’ vulnerabilities and limited capacity to adapt to water-related challenges are exacerbated by historical and contemporary government policies and poor socioeconomic conditions.

Sand Dune Expansion Figure source: Redsteer et al. 2011

Declining Sea Ice Declining sea ice in Alaska is causing significant impacts to Native communities, including increasingly risky travel and hunting conditions, damage and loss to settlements, food insecurity, and socioeconomic and health impacts from loss of cultures, traditional knowledge, and homelands.

Sea Ice Cover Reaches Record Low Figure source: NASA Earth Observatory 2012

Arctic Marine Food Web Figure source: NOAA NCDC

Permafrost Thaw Alaska Native communities are increasingly exposed to health and livelihood hazards from increasing temperatures and thawing permafrost, which are damaging critical infrastructure, adding to other stressors on traditional lifestyles.

Thawing Permafrost in Alaska Figure source: Permafrost Lab, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Relocation Climate change related impacts are forcing relocation of tribal and indigenous communities, especially in coastal locations. These relocations, and the lack of governance mechanisms or funding to support them, are causing loss of community and culture, health impacts, and economic decline, further exacerbating tribal impoverishment.

Climate Change Impacts in the United States Third National Climate facebook.com/usgcrp #NCA2014 [Name & Contact Info]