Dr. Peggy Smith, R.P.F. Faculty of Forestry & the Forest Environment Lakehead University

Transcription

1 Dr. Peggy Smith, R.P.F. Faculty of Forestry & the Forest Environment Lakehead University

2 Terminology Impacts Adaptation Summary of Challenges

3 Aboriginal people : Constitution Act, 1982, s. 35: Indians [First Nations, status & nonstatus], Inuit & Metis Indigenous peoples : internationally accepted; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

4 Felt most by those least able to cope (Ban Ki Moon 2007)

5 Aboriginal people among most marginalized & impoverished impacts magnified Intimate connection with lands & resources contribution to resilience through responsibility, knowledge & technology Unique rights with constitutional protection special effort to protect

6 Historic treaties and modern day land claims

7 Resource-dependent & Aboriginal communities more vulnerable to climate changes, magnified in Arctic Northern Canada: Maintaining & protecting aspects of traditional & subsistence ways of life will become more difficult Greater challenges in coping with climate changes: limited financial resources, health problems & difficulties accessing technology & institutional services

8 Access to northern communities: food, transportation (winter roads) Water quality & quantity Energy usage & cost Community infrastructure Housing Cultural sites Landscape changes Traditional activities tied to Aboriginal rights: hunting, fishing, trapping & gathering Traditional knowledge Language retention Diet, health & human safety

9 Indigenous peoples are not only keen observers of climate changes but are also actively trying to adapt to the changing conditions. (Salick & Byg 2007)

10 Integrating climate change into existing planning processes is an effective approach to adaptation (Lemmen et al. 2008) Land use planning Renewable energy Carbon trading Resistance

11 Mainstream adaptation into community planning & decisionmaking Incorporate local knowledge & scientific research into community adaptation planning Raise awareness of adaptation options & existing adaptation tools Discuss options of energy management & energy sources as opportunities for successful adaptation planning Provide input into development of Nunavut Adaptation Plan

12 A future in which Beekahncheekahmeeng paymahteeseewahch are able to Maintain our ancestral Responsibilities for Keeping the Land (Cheekahnahwaydahmunk Keetahkeemeenahn) for the Continued survival and well being Of the Pikangikum people.

13 Renewable Energy Economic development Partnerships Pembina Institute

14 What is Northern First Nations Energy Alliance? How will they economically benefit from transmission line development? What is difference between revenue sharing, compensation agreements & ownership in context of hydro or transmission line development? With hydro & transmission line projects costing in the millions or billions of dollars, how are First Nations expected to raise their equity contribution? Is there any community benefit in using a non-profit model in a transmission line or hydro development and converting to a for-profit at a later stage? (Brian Davey, Chair, First Nations Energy Alliance)

15 Little Red River Cree Nation, northern Alberta (1) carbon uptake in forest ecosystems, with postharvest waste left on site (2) carbon uptake in forests and products (3) carbon uptake in forests with harvested fiber used for energy production ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

16 Keepers of the Athabasca call for moratorium on Alberta oil sands development Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan Dene First Nation Larsthrow s Winter Morning on Athabasca River

17 Climate change seldom acts in isolation but interacts with other environmental and social factors. (Secretariat of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2007)

18 Albuquerque Declaration, 1998 Quito Declaration on Climate Change Negotiations, 2000 Lyon Declaration, 2000: 1 st Int l Forum of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change Hague Declaration, 2000: 2 nd Int l Forum Bonn Declaration, 2001: 3 rd Int l Forum Marrakech Declaration, 2001 Bali Principles of Climate Justice, 2002 Milan Declaration, 2003 Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples Attending COP 10 UNFCCC, Buenos Aires, 2006

19 Speak for themselves Respect for rights to lands, territories, selfdetermination To be part of all stages of decision-making Traditional territories & responsibility for stewardship to be recognized Free, prior & informed consent Capacity-building Take into account knowledge systems, culture, social values, spirituality & ecosystems

20 Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Reports 1-5 on Climate Change prepared for the Assembly of First Nations. Lemmen, D.S., F.J. Warren and J. Lacroix Synthesis in From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007, edited by D.S. Lemmen, F.J. Warren, J. Lacroix and E. Bush. Government of Canada, Ottawa. p Natural Resources Canada Building Resilience to Climate Change in Human Settlements: Enhancing the Planning Capacity for Sustainable Development of Northern Communities. Salick, J. and A. Byg Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Oxford. 32 pp. Secretariat of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Climate Change: An Overview. UN Dept. of Economic and Social Affairs. 29 pp.