REPORT 5: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FIRST NATIONS:

Transcription

1 REPORT 5: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FIRST NATIONS: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION Prepared fr: The Assembly f First Natins Prepared By: March 2006

2 ii Climate Change Psitin Paper #1 - Outline

3 Table f Cntents 1.0 Intrductin Impacts Intrductin Barriers t Identifying Impacts Recmmendatins Climate Impact Assessment Envirnmental Ecnmic Scial Cultural Gvernance Mitigatin Intrductin Barriers t Mitigatin Recmmendatins Adaptatins Intrductin Barriers t Adaptatin Recmmendatins Envirnmental Ecnmic Scial Cultural Gvernance...16 Reprt 5 - i

4 1.0 INTRODUCTION Adaptatin t climate is nt new. Human scieties have successfully adapted t their climate fr thusands f years. Highway snw remval, management f water levels alng the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, and the cnstructin f fldways, breakwaters, and irrigatin systems are all examples f mdern adaptatins t Canada s naturally variable climate. (Warren et al., 2004) In the past, mst research related t climate change has either been fcused n the identificatin f ptential impacts f climate change r the develpment f mitigatin measures t lessen the scale f predicted climate change (thrugh measures t decrease greenhuse gas prductin and release). It has nt been until recently, that research fcused n adaptatin has becme mre imprtant in the scientific and scial scientific cmmunities. Despite cnsiderable examinatin f impacts and adaptatins f climate change n a glbal and a Canadian reginal scale, relatively little attentin has been paid t identifying the impacts f climate change n the physical, scial, cultural, and envirnmental aspects f First Natins, and adaptatin and mitigatin ptins fr First Natins. By way f example, the Natural Resurces Canada reprt, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptatin: A Canadian Perspective, mentins the terms First Natin r Abriginals ten times in ttal. The Third Assessment Reprt f the Intergvernmental Panel n Climate Change similarly makes little reference t First Natins in the suthern parts f Canada when discussing adaptatin r vulnerabilities assciated with climate change (2001). Much cnsideratin was given t Inuit and Nrthern Abriginal cmmunities in the Arctic; hwever, mre cnsideratin needs t be given t First Natin cmmunities in the suth as well. Limits t ur current levels f adaptatin t existing climatic variatin are demnstrated by the impacts and csts t sciety assciated with events such as flds, ice strms, drughts, and hurricanes. (Berkes and Jlly, 2001) Reprt 5-1

5 Since adaptatin research is presently in its early phases, it is a beneficial time fr First Natins t becme mre invlved as stakehlders and partners in research. In general terms, future adaptatin research shuld fcus n the: Dynamics f adaptatins in human systems; Decisin-making prcesses; Barriers t adaptatin; Rles and respnsibilities f individuals, cmmunities, private and public institutins, gvernments, and internatinal rganisatins in adaptatin strategies; and, The rle f ther envirnmental factrs. 1 Thrughut this reprt, recmmendatins fr climate change-related actin regarding identificatin f impacts, adaptatin and mitigatin measures by First Natins regarding climate change are discussed. Althugh mitigatin is imprtant fr reducing greenhuse gases, it will nt stp climate change r the impacts f climate change frm ccurring. It is therefre extremely imprtant that much cnsideratin be given t strategies and actins that First Natins may take t adapt t climate changes in First Natins. As such, the primary fcus f recmmendatins will be n adaptatin respnses. The recmmendatins ffered belw d nt represent an exhaustive list f needs, but are meant catalyze discussins amng First Natin and ther gvernment leaders, scientists, and citizens. 1 Smit et al, Reprt 5 -

6 2.0 IMPACTS 2.1 INTRODUCTION There is a critical need fr research that identifies the impacts n scial, cultural, gvernance, and ecnmic structures in First Natins. It is recmmended that a cmprehensive research prgram be established t identify all impacts f climate change, and that it be designed and implemented by First Natins. This research prgram shuld be designed t address the barriers identified in Sectin 2.2. belw and the research needs identified in Sectin 2.3 belw. 2.2 BARRIERS TO IDENTIFYING IMPACTS The fllwing are likely barriers t being able t identify First Natin specific impacts f climate change: Effective infrmatin exchange and public awareness campaigns are needed with First Natin peple as partners Research n subsistence activities suth f the 60 parallel is limited. This may be due t the prevailing thught that subsistence activities d nt make a significant cntributin t the verall ecnmy in these First Natins, especially if they are lcated clse t urban centres First Natins d nt have the financial and human resurces t initiative large-scale initiatives. In additin, there are n readily available surces f funding t supprt a cmprehensive initiative such as the ne prpsed belw 2.3 RECOMMENDATIONS The fllwing critical research is needed: Climate Impact Assessment There is a need fr a cmprehensive research prgram arund the cncept f an integrated climate impact assessment. This framewrk culd allw fr nt nly a full definitin f impacts but als the assessment f First Natin capacity t adapt t these impacts. Fr example, the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) was carried ut t assess and evaluate the impacts f climate change n the bilgical and physical systems Reprt 5-3

7 in the Arctic, including n human cmmunities. This was dne thrugh scientific research and thrugh the integratin f Indigenus Knwledge frm Arctic residents. A similar type f reginal study wuld be useful fr First Natins suth f the 60 parallel as research and lcal knwledge f the impacts f climate change in these cmmunities is currently limited. The previus fur reprts have examined the issues f climate change and have identified several climate change impacts that will require First Natin fcussed research. These impacts include: Increased temperatures Changes t water quality and quantity (e.g. drughts, flds) Sea level rise Reduced ice cver Increased incidences f extreme weather events and mre variable weather cnditins Sil ersin Castal ersin Melting permafrst Changes in distributin and diversity f plant and animal species Mre specifically, the fllwing critical research needs exist in the fllwing areas: Envirnmental Identificatin f the ecnmic, envirnmental, scial, and cultural impacts due t water-related changes such as castal ersin and sea level rise (i.e. impacts n recreatin, fishing, transprtatin, lss f infrastructure including dcks and wharfs, lss f cultural sites, and implementatin f Abriginal and Treaty rights). Identificatin f the pssible changes t grundwater and surface water quality and availability in First Natins as a result f climate change. Identificatin f climate change impacts n Abriginal and Treaty rights that are implemented n First Natin lands and waters and the csts assciated with the inability t implement thse rights. 4 Reprt 5 -

8 Mnitring and predictin f the impacts f climate change n ecsystems and related species that First Natins peple depend n fr their livelihds. Dcumenting First Natin bservatins n the envirnment in rder t demnstrate the climate change impacts that First Natins are experiencing. Use existing framewrks, such as thse used in Arctic cmmunities fr ding such wrk Ecnmic Hw climate change will affect First Natin ecnmic sectrs (e.g., review f what they are, hw they cntribute t the Canadian ecnmy, and hw they cntribute t the well-being f the cmmunity) and hw they will be affected by a change in climate. Mre research is needed n the impacts f climate change n extreme weather events and First Natin ecnmic sectrs. Research shuld als lk at determining the mst effective ecnmic diversificatin fr First Natins wh are natural resurce dependent. Hw mixed ecnmies (subsistence and incme-generating) wrk at a micrecnmic r husehld level in First Natins and hw these micr-enterprises serve as the centre f prductin and cnsumptin. The relative imprtance f subsistence-ecnmies t incme-generating ecnmies in the husehld unit f First Natins suth f the 60 parallel as carried ut in nrthern cmmunities. Identificatin f apprpriate data cllectin methds t determine hw prevalent subsistence-based ecnmies are in First Natins (especially in thse lcated suth f the 60 parallel) and hw much they cntribute t the verall First Natin ecnmy. Identificatin f replacement values fr subsistence ecnmies in First Natins suth f the 60 parallel. The availability f insurance, scial prgrams, and ther cmpensating mechanisms t ensure First Natin ecnmic sectrs are prtected in the face f climate change. Identificatin f csts assciated with decreased energy availability that may result because f climate change (i.e. the availability and csts f reliance n alternative energies, and ther effrts t diversify energy surces). Identificatin f the impacts, and the resulting csts t adapt t the impacts f increased permafrst melting n aging infrastructure, existing rads and transprtatin Reprt 5-5

9 rutes (with a key fcus n winter rads), and waste dispsal and water supplies in First Natins. Identificatin f the impacts and resulting csts f climate change in natural resurce dependent First Natins (e.g. thse relying primarily n the frest r fishery sectr fr ecnmic, cultural, and scial benefits) Scial The effects n the health f First Natins peple as a result f climate changes that limit their access t the lands and waters (e.g. decreased fish cnsumptin and wild fd cnsumptin, decreased access t medicinal plants). The impacts f climate change n transprtatin systems relied upn by First Natins. Hw climate change will affect the livelihds f urban First Natin peple. Hw extreme events can affect the mental health and behaviur f First Natins peple Cultural Appraches t the preservatin f cultural and scial traditins and teachings in the face f changes t the lands and waters assciated with thse teachings and traditins. An imprvement f methds t incrprate TEK in all aspects f climate change impact studies. Hw climate change will affect the traditinal fd supply in First Natins and hw this will affect their nutritinal well-being. Scial and cultural impact assessments t determine the values assciated with subsistence activities that may be lst due t climate change Gvernance Hw climate change can be better incrprated int lng-term planning regarding First Natins peples, lands, and resurces. Specifically, the ecnmic, scial, and cultural impacts f climate change n First Natins resurce use is needed (e.g. turism, 6 Reprt 5 -

10 navigatin, recreatin, drinking water supplies, hydrelectric pwer generatin, traditinal activities). The rles and respnsibilities f all levels f gvernment and financial resurces invlved in climate change adaptatin in First Natins. Methds f impact and adaptatin research that effectively engages First Natins. Reprt 5-7

11 3.0 MITIGATION 3.1 INTRODUCTION Mitigatin measures fr limiting future climate changes are fcussed n reducing greenhuse gas prductin and release int the atmsphere. Cmmn mitigatin measures include lking at new technlgies that will reduce greenhuse gas emissins in cmmunity buildings and in vehicles relied upn fr transprt. New appraches are cnstantly being sught after t reduce greenhuse emissins in Canada in rder t meet the targets set ut by the Kyt Prtcl. First Natins have nt been cnsidered in many f Canada s target reductin prgrams, hwever, the Abriginal and Nrthern Cmmunity Actin Prgram (ANCAP) is the first prgram designed t prmte alternative and renewable energy surces and prmte mitigatin actins in First Natins. Greenhuse gas emissins can als be reduced thrugh energy efficiency prmtin and awareness campaigns in all sectrs, including thse present in First Natins ecnmic systems, althugh much mre wrk still needs t be dne. 3.2 BARRIERS TO MITIGATION The fllwing are ptential barriers t implementing mitigatin measures by First Natins: First Natins experience a lack f resurces and a lack f access t apprpriate technlgy and expertise Mst greenhuse gas (GHG) prductin ccurs ff-reserve and First Natins authrities t respnd t mitigate t this prductin are limited t being applicable nly n their lands. Given that First Natins cntributins t greenhuse gas (GHG) prductin is negligible, mst mitigatin effrts (such as regulating/limiting GHG discharges) need t be directed at activities that are nt ccurring n First Natins lands. 3.3 RECOMMENDATIONS The fllwing are suggested recmmendatins regarding needed mitigatin effrts: Aggressive mitigatin measures directed at stpping activities that impact First Natins peples cultures and rights 8 Reprt 5 -

12 Increase the prmtin f First Natin invlvement in alternative energy prductin, which wuld help t mitigate sme f the impacts f climate change thrugh decreasing reliance n greenhuse gas emitting energy surces Reslve land claims and self-gvernment agreements t ensure that First Natins have the authrity t design and implement measures t adapt t predicted impacts f climate change n lands and water upn which First Natins depend fr ecnmic, scial, cultural, spiritual, and rights-based uses. Cmmence a First Natin rights-fcussed dialgue regarding climate change impacts, mitigatin needs, and adaptatin strategies. Articulate best practices f thse First Natins implementing inherent authrity t address climate change impacts, and implement mitigatin r adaptatin measures. Use an integrated apprach t addressing climate change plicy issues s as t ensure cntinuus develpment and the minimisatin f ad-hc appraches t engaging First Natins in climate change deliberatins. Create natinal r reginal First Natin institutins dedicated slely, r even primarily t climate change impact identificatin and mitigatin and adaptatin research. Ensure that strategic envirnmental assessment be utilised as a mechanism fr First Natin invlvement in climate change plicy-setting. Create a natinal leadership frum n climate change, where the definitin f leadership is brad and includes leaders f tmrrw. First Natins have limited ability t engage in real decisin-making in terms f climate change issues because they d nt have the authrity, r have nt directed the authrity they have twards envirnmental gvernance. Reprt 5-9

13 4.0 ADAPTATIONS 4.1 INTRODUCTION Due t the limited attentin paid t researching effective adaptatin strategies that culd be used by First Natins, this paper identifies numerus existing barriers faced by First Natins wishing t adapt t the impacts f climate change, plus extensive recmmendatins fr adaptatin measures that may be suitable fr them. But, given the site-specific nature f adaptatin measures, there is a critical need fr First Natin-specific adaptatin research. Given that this research has nt yet been dne, we have recmmended addressing numerus imprtant adaptatin research needs. 4.2 BARRIERS TO ADAPTATION The fllwing are barriers t adapting t the impacts f climate change by First Natins: First Natins are already disadvantaged in terms f their ecnmic stability and resilience, scial cnditins, gvernance arrangements cmpared t nn-abriginal cmmunities. Any pressures added t First Natins as a result f climate change impacts will exacerbate these prblems. Current ecnmic realities in First Natins include inadequate access t capital, lw n-reserve investment, and limited citizen-based tax base. In additin, First Natins usually lack the lcal capacity (including small business skills) t create businesses in natural resurce sectrs and t develp and implement management plans fr natural resurces n traditinal lands. All f these factrs impede the ability f First Natins t diversify ecnmies r invest in new infrastructure, which makes it harder fr First Natins t address the increased resurce needs assciated with the impacts f climate change. Barriers t accessing natural resurces, investing in wn-surce revenue activities, accessing federal business supprt prgrams, and benefiting frm federal institutinal develpment, all serve t increase the cst f ding business in First Natins, impeding ecnmic develpment. It als puts First Natins in a psitin where they cannt adequately address cmmunity needs that may arise due t the envirnmental variability assciated with climate change. Gvernment spending currently des nt meet the ecnmic, scial, cultural, and gvernance needs in First Natins and gvernment spending is currently decreasing. 10 Reprt 5 -

14 Inadequate gvernment funding makes it difficult fr First Natins t meet current needs. Inadequate federal funding and pr ecnmic situatins make it difficult fr First Natins t engage in decisin-making n a lcal r natinal level regarding climate change. In additin, mst First Natins d nt have the financial resurces r the capacity t present their unique and imprtant cncerns regarding climate change at an internatinal r natinal level. First Natins are already facing ecnmic, scial, envirnmental, and cultural issues due t increased develpment in their traditinal territries. Any pressures added t First Natins as a result f climate change impacts will exacerbate these prblems. First Natins will nt be able t adequately adapt t these increased pressures with existing levels f supprt frm federal gvernment prgrams. First Natins have limited ability t engage in real decisin-making in terms f climate change issues because they d nt have the authrity, r have nt directed the authrity they have twards envirnmental gvernance. The financial, scial, and cultural csts assciated with relcatin f a First Natin because f climate change impacts (i.e. sea-level rise, castal ersin, flding) may be insurmuntable. Lss f hmeland, lss f cultural r ceremnial sites, lss f Abriginal and Treaty rights, and resulting lss f identity can t be restred thrugh increased financial resurces. Lack f flexibility in mst First Natin husing where the frm, drainage, and infrastructure are fixed, reduces the capacity t respnd t envirnmental cnditins impsed by climate change. Further, cmplex and inadequate husing prgrams dealing with husing allcatins limit the ability f First Natins t respnd t changing husing needs. Fewer bservatins related t climate change frm First Natins suth f the 60 parallel have been dcumented than fr cmmunities in the nrthern parts f Canada. Withut the bservatins f impacts f climate change, adaptatin strategies will be weak. Drastic changes in frest cmpsitin (in terms f diversity, distributin, and the types f species) can create a situatin where adaptatins are n lnger feasible. Fr example, an adaptatin cannt be created when a Treaty right t hunt r gather a Reprt 5-11

15 frest species that n lnger exists in the Treaty territry. In this situatin, it may be that the right is permanently lst. Many First Natins currently experience epidemic levels f certain health prblems (e.g. diabetes and tuberculsis), which put ecnmic and scial stress n the cmmunity. In additin, climate changes that may impact human health culd be mre severe in First Natins and adaptatin measures designed t minimize these health impacts culd be less effective fr First Natins. Aggravating the prblem is the relative islatin f sme First Natins that causes diagnsis f cmmunicable diseases (such as tuberculsis) t be delayed, thus increasing the risks f disease transmissin. Climate change impacts may intensify pressures in First Natins where transprtatin rutes may be affected. Cmmercial, lcal and cnservatin interests may limit adaptatin ptins fr First Natins wh want t live a traditinal lifestyle. Capital is needed in the frm f equipment (e.g., snwmbiles) and fr nging peratin and maintenance csts in subsistence ecnmies. Adaptatin measures that require further technlgical investments in First Natins in rder t carry ut traditinal activities will add increased ecnmic stresses t the ecnmy. If climate change r ther envirnmental factrs affect the ability f Abriginal peple in nrthern regins t engage in subsistence activities, the amunt f expensive, suthern imprted fd will increase, making the replacement value very high fr nrthern subsistence ecnmies. Many First Natins currently have limited resurces t seek these alternative methds f fd. Climate change has nt been recgnized as a First Natins rights issue, therefre, First Natins climate change respnses t date have nt included clarificatin f the rights that may be impacted by climate changes, nt the rights that may be relied upn t assert climate change-related authrity. Currently, many First Natins d nt have institutins that are capable f implementing mst climate change-related measures. There are n natinal r reginal First Natin institutins dedicated slely, r even primarily t climate change impact identificatin and research. There remains a barrier at the First Natin cmmunity level in that climate change plicy develpment tls are currently smewhat limited at grassrts level. 12 Reprt 5 -

16 While sme First Natins have envirnmental persnnel, there is n First Natin civil service perating at the reginal r natinal level that is charged with cmprehensively implementing r crdinating envirnment-related gvernance decisins. Sme First Natins that wrk in tribal cuncils r treaty ffices have persnnel that have respnsibility fr certain envirnment-related tasks r duties, but these peple d nt deal cmprehensively, if at all, with climate change and they tend nt t be integrated with similar fcussed psitins in ther regins r at the natinal level. 4.3 RECOMMENDATIONS We have identified sme f the mst critical and immediate suggested respnses t predicted climate change impacts belw. Withut a clear fundatin that identifies First Natin specific impacts f predicted climate changes, these adaptatin measures cannt be cnsidered a cmprehensive adaptatin respnse Envirnmental Design and implement climate change mnitring effrts targeted at recrding the changes in First Natins lands and waters. Develp water quality standards and guidelines that address the fllwing impacts f changed water quantity and flws: Greater cncentratin f nutrients and cntaminants Increased expsure t water-brne diseases Increased surce water prtectin effrts Imprve water quality prtectin frm cultural, industrial, and human wastes. Identify alternative drinking water surces. Imprve frest management planning that takes predicted climate change impacts int accunt thrugh the adptin f innvative and sustainable frest management practices, special prtectins fr Treaty and Abriginal rights that are implemented in the regin, and reliance n Indigenus frest management knwledge and techniques Dramatically increase fcus n the prtectin and cnservatin f key species that are imprtant t First Natins, and d s relying upn the cnservatin knwledge, innvatins, and practices f First Natins. Reprt 5-13

17 4.3.2 Ecnmic Given immediate attentin t the prmtin f ecnmic diversificatin within natural resurce-based First Natins Prvide lng-term management and planning resurces t integrate infrastructure mdificatins t accmmdate, adapt, r prevent castal ersin thrugh the cnstructin f sea walls, dikes, and retaining walls Develp cst estimates fr different climate change impact scenaris and adaptatin ptins in First Natins (e.g. differences in csts t prtect, accmmdate r retreat frm climate change impacts) Increase prmtin f First Natin invlvement in the alternative energy sectr as this wuld have psitive ecnmic impacts in First Natins (by reducing energy csts frm mre expensive fuel-based energy surces) and wuld decrease the demand fr scarce water resurces that wuld ptentially be impacted by climate change (i.e. lwer water levels may result because f decreased precipitatin and increased evapratin which may affect hydrelectric energy prductin) Prvide federal gvernment funding at levels that meet current needs in First Natins while als cnsidering the future needs assciated with climate change Scial Design and implementatin f energy and water cnservatin initiatives (such as imprved prcedures fr allcatin f water). In additinal t achieving envirnmental targets, these initiatives can build increased awareness within First Natins abut climate change impacts and the necessary frms f adaptatin required. Incrprate First Natin directed impacts f climate change int the planning f health services s as t accmmdate cmmunity demgraphics (increasing numbers f infants and elderly residents), and disease transmissin that may be mre severely impacted by climate changes (i.e. increased muld in huses, variability in residential ambient temperatures, transprtatin and infrastructure issues in remte cmmunities that delay the diagnsis f diseases). Integrate husing allcatins and frmulas with the impacts f climate change (i.e. such as increased temperatures and precipitatin) int the design f huses, the 14 Reprt 5 -

18 number f huses required, the number f ccupants per huse, maintenance schedules, and the apprpriate use f cnstructin materials First Natins that have a high likelihd f lsing land as a result f climate change must begin the prcess f lcating additinal lands Implement preventative adaptatin measures t prtect human health in First Natins related t climate change impacts (e.g. early warning systems in First Natins t prtect against extreme weather events, natural r human-induced disasters such as frest fires) Integrate sci-cultural factrs and climate change cnsideratins int land use planning and develpment, sustainable resurce management, and cnservatin strategies that cnsider climate change Increase cmmunicatin mechanisms in First Natins t educate abut the increased need fr safety given variable envirnmental cnditins and unpredictable behaviur f species that are stressed because f habitat and fd surce impacts as a result f climate change. Create an utreach, cmmunicatin, r ther campaign that identifies a First Natin climate change spkespersn / catalyst / rle mdel. The capacity f the health care system in First Natins t respnd t the increased number f illnesses, mre diverse types f illnesses, cumulative effects n the health f already cmprised immune systems, etc. The current adaptive capacity and vulnerabilities in First Natins Past methds f First Natin adaptatin t change in rder t better understand relevant and meaningful adaptatin ptins fr the current climate change reality Cultural Identify and dcument ceremnial, spiritual, burial, medicinal, and Treaty and Abriginal rights dependent land- and water-based sites (e.g. fishing lcatins, frest species harvesting, etc.) used fr educatinal, recreatinal and ecnmic purpses. Increased effrts shuld be made t map traditinal lands in and arund First Natins in rder t recrd traditinal activity rutes and cultural and sacred grunds. Dcumenting these sites is an imprtant fr preservatin and cmpensatin purpses if they are threatened by predicted climate changes. Reprt 5-15

19 Increase attentin t dcumenting and prtecting Traditinal Knwledge (TK) because many traditinal activities are under threat as a result f climate changes and TK may nt be able t adapt as quickly as these changes ccur. Traditinal activities in First Natins must begin t articulate pririty areas fr cultural preservatin and alternative methds fr achieving these pririties. Increase attentin t prmting the transmissin f TK t yung peple given that TK currently held in mst cmmunities is under threat as a result f rapid changes in the envirnment brught n by climate change. Ensuring that the methd f cllectin and use f TK has been taught t yung peple is likely the nly effective respnse t this particular threat t TK. Increase the use f technlgy as a supplement t traditinal methds f predicting envirnmental cnditins. Fr example, prgrams need t be develped and implemented that teach First Natins hw t effectively use GIS technlgy as a backup fr assessing lcatins f inadequate ice cver, snw depth, r changes in migratin patterns f typically hunted species. Attain additinal, legal r histrical prtectins fr traditinal uses f land in specific gegraphic areas f extreme significance. (e.g. prtected area designatins) As First Natins lse the pprtunity t engage in traditinal activities, there is a crrespnding lss in the applicability f First Natin languages. In additin t initiatives that prtect TK and traditinal activities, additinal prgrams need t be supprted that prtect First Natin languages thrugh effective curriculum develpment at schls, increased financial resurces, and integratin f language preservatin issues int climate change plicy discussins Gvernance Reslve land claims and self-gvernment agreements t ensure that First Natins have the authrity t design and implement measures t adapt t predicted impacts f climate change n lands and water upn which First Natins depend fr ecnmic, scial, cultural, spiritual, and rights-based uses. Plan fr cmplicatins invlved thrugh lss f reserve land (i.e. thrugh castal flding) resulting in: 16 Reprt 5 -

20 The need t secure alternative r additinal land bases (i.e. additins t reserves can take 25 years). The need t include cmmunity members in decisin-making regarding alternative land bases. Imprve planning and emergency preparedness fr: Decreases in water quality, changes t water quantity, intrusin f salt water, strm surges, and rising sea levels. Changes in access and transprtatin rutes t First Natins as a result f reduced ice cver, melting permafrst, and milder winter temperatures. Waste treatment mdificatins necessary t accmmdate increasing water table levels (septic field, sewage lagns). Natural disasters and severe weather events such as drughts and severe flds, ice strms trnades, electrical strms. Integrate climate change impacts int cmprehensive cmmunity planning in First Natins. Increase reliance n inter-cmmunity relatinships (i.e. increased trade linkages as a way t mre bradly share traditinal fds and ther resurces) as a way t adapt t a variability in accessibility f resurces. Develp a First Natin adaptatin strategy netwrk that allws First Natins t share and learn frm each ther related t climate change adaptatins. This culd als assist in imprving methds f transmitting their cncerns t reginal, natinal, and internatinal levels. Cmmence a First Natin rights-fcussed dialgue regarding climate change impacts, mitigatin needs, and adaptatin strategies. Expand First Natin jurisdictins int climate change-related areas thrugh targeted litigatin effrts, the exercise f inherent authrity, and the expansin f existing recgnized jurisdictins. Review Indian Act, First Natins Land Management Act, First Natins Cmmercial and Industrial Develpment Act and envirnmental legislatin such as Canadian Envirnmental Prtectin Act, Canadian Envirnmental Assessment Act, Species at Risk Act fr climate change-related authrities fr First Natins. Reprt 5-17

21 Articulate best practices f thse First Natins implementing inherent authrity t address climate change impacts, and implement mitigatin r adaptatin measures. Cmmissin a legal pinin regarding effective litigatin ptins regarding asserting climate change-related authrities at the dmestic and internatinal levels. Use an integrated apprach t addressing climate change plicy issues s as t ensure cntinuus develpment and the minimisatin f ad-hc appraches t engaging First Natins in climate change deliberatins. Create natinal r reginal First Natin institutins dedicated slely, r even primarily t climate change impact identificatin and mitigatin and adaptatin research. Ensure that current r new staff psitins in First Natins are nt nly directed at the administrative discharge f INAC r Health Canada respnsibilities, but als have respnsibility t address aspecst f climate change. Review, and develp a strategy t meet needs, in each f the fllwing capacity develpment areas (frm the perspective f current capacity t respnd t climate changes): legislatin (r ther jurisdictinal bases), a judiciary and assciated institutins, management and administratin, prgrams, capital and facilities management, and accuntability measures. Develp and implement a natinal shrt, medium, and lng-term research strategy, if apprpriate with nn-first Natin institutinal supprt, aimed at addressing the critical envirnmental, ecnmic, scial, cultural, and legal research questins facing First Natins in the area f climate change. The develpment and implementatin f this strategy shuld include Indigenus Knwledge in all apprpriate ways. Develp a First Natins climate change registry fr access t climate change infrmatin, tls, initiatives, financial and human resurces and research results. Integrate int educatin-related plicy develpment and educatinal prgrams a targeted fcus n climate change, fr example thrugh the develpment f: Pst-secndary educatinal institutinal targets aimed at increasing First Natin participatin in climate change-related careers. Spnsrship f graduate research by and fr First Natins directed at climate change impacts, mitigatin and adaptatin. Rle mdel identificatin regarding climate change careers. 18 Reprt 5 -

22 Funded prfessinal develpment pprtunities fr thse wrking in the climate change field. Allcate resurces t enable First Natins are able t respnds t climate changes at a lcal, reginal, and natinal level thrugh: Addressing their jurisdictinal, bureaucratic capacity, and infrmatin and skills needs (fr example by hiring qualified persnnel t identify impacts, develp mitigatin appraches, and crdinate and implement adaptatin measures). Develping and using innvative technlgies fr climate change impact identificatin and predictin, mitigatin, and adaptatin. Ensuring cmpliance, enfrcement, and mnitring f climate change initiatives and measures regulated by First Natins. Building harmnized relatinships with gvernments and rganisatins lcated r having jurisdictin beynd First Natin reserve lands. Bring climate change t the frnt f regular discussins at the cmmunity level thrugh electin platfrms, educatin and utreach initiatives, and ther climate change impact, mitigatin, and adaptatin measures. Ensure a fcus upn clarifying terminlgy in use regarding climate change (and envirnmental matters generally) as gvernance structures integrating climate change cnsideratins are develped. Engage in the develpment f integrated, cmprehensive cmmunity plans that assist the cmmunity in articulating the visin it has fr itself ver the shrt, medium and lng-term, that identify the relative pririty f ptentially cmpeting values r gals, and that clearly integrate climate change mitigatin and adaptatin gals, activities, and fllw-up mechanisms. Ensure the prir agreement within the First Natin as t the respective rles f citizens and leadership in terms f ensuring discharge f effective, nging gvernance respnsibilities relating t climate change. Develp dispute reslutin mechanisms that allw fr the cnsideratin f climate change issues. Prvide the required educatin, infrmatin, resurces, and peple t implement the visin articulated at all levels r scpes f planning. Reprt 5-19

23 Develp a natinal First Natins climate change strategy including an analysis f First Natin cnsideratins in every element f Canada s Kyt Plan. Include in the definitin f First Natin gvernance the ability t identify, mitigate, and adapt t the impacts f climate change. This wuld then require that all gvernance discussins require specific attentin t be paid t climate change cnsideratins regarding the agenda item being negtiated r discussed. Ensure that strategic envirnmental assessment be utilised as a mechanism fr First Natin invlvement in climate change plicy-setting. Supprt and prvide a plan fr the creatin f a strng and diverse First Natin envirnmental nn-gvernmental sectr that has the legitimate right t challenge, review, critique, and present alternative cnsideratins regarding prpsed decisins within First Natins that may impact Abriginal r treaty rights, the envirnment (including thrugh pssible climate changes), r human health. Create, implement, r integrate the traditinal r chsen gvernance mdels utilised by First Natins with climate change cnsideratins in mind. This shuld include the creatin f cnflict rules that add transparency t decisins that weigh ecnmic develpment cnsideratins against Abriginal r treaty rights, the envirnment (including thrugh pssible climate changes), r human health cnsideratins. Create a natinal leadership frum n climate change, where the definitin f leadership is brad and includes leaders f tmrrw. 20 Reprt 5 -