Climate Change Literature

​Tribal Climate Change Guide

The Tribal Climate Change Guide is part of the Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Project. It has both academic literature and news stories that relate to Tribal work on climate change across the nation.

Dr. Kyle Whyte's Indigenous Climate Justice Teaching Materials & Advanced Bibliography

This page has introductory writings and reviews on Indigenous peoples and climate justice and an advanced bibliography of every source Dr. Whyte knows about that has published on the broad topic of Indigenous peoples and climate change.

Literature review project

In order to better serve Tribes and scientists, the Northeast Indigenous Climate Resilience Network Project Team in 2014 reviewed existing published literature (including academic literature and grey literature from Tribal webpages) that related to the five recommendations from the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center’s (NE CASC) Strategic Science Center Agenda – Science Theme 6.

Academic Literature

  • ​Belfer et al. Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Climate Change Reporting (2017).
  • Kukutai, Tahu and John Taylor. Indigenous Data Sovereignty (2016).
  • Norton-Smith et al. Climate Change and Indigenous People: A Synthesis of Current Impacts and Experiences (2016).
  • Ning et al. Projected Changes in Climate Extremes over the Northeastern United States (2015).
  • Ning, Liang and Raymond Bradley. Snow Occurrence Changes over the Central and Eastern United States under Future Warming Scenarios (2015).
  • Bruhn, Jodi. Identifying Useful Approaches to the Governance of Indigenous Data (2014).
  • Cheruvelil, Jubin and Barbara Barton. Wild Rice Adaptation to Climate Change (2014).
  • Cochran et al. Indigenous Framework for Observing and Responding to Climate Change in Alaska (2013).
  • Cozzetto et al. Climate Change Impacts on the Water Resources of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the U.S. (2013).
  • Lynn et al. The Impacts of Climate Change on Tribal Traditional Foods (2013).
  • Maldonado et al. The Impact of Climate Change on Tribal Communities in the US: Displacement, Relocation, and Human Rights (2013).
  • Vinyeta, Kirsten and Kathy Lynn. Exploring the Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Climate Change Initiatives (2013).
  • Williams, Terry and Hardison, Preston. Culture, Law, Risk and Governance: Contexts of Traditional Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation (2013).
  • Mason et al. Listening and Learning from Traditional Knowledge and Western Science: A Dialogue on Contemporary Challenges of Forest Health and Wildfire (2012).
  • Nakashima et al. Weathering Uncertainty: Traditional Knowledge for Climate Change Assessment and Adaptation (2012).
  • Vogesser, Garrit. Cultural Impacts to Tribes from Climate Change Influences on Forests (2012).
  • Fole et al. Resilience Thinking: Integrating Resilience, Adaptability and Transformability (2010).
  • Tsosie, Rebecca. Climate Change, Sustainability and Globalization: Charting the Future of Indigenous Environmental Self-determination (2009).
  • Berkes, Fikret. Understanding Uncertainty and Reducing Vulnerability: Lessons from Resilience Thinking (2007).
  • Davidson-Hunt, Iain and Michael O’Flaherty. Researchers, Indigenous Peoples, and Place-Based Learning Communities (2007).
  • Berkhout et al. Socio-economic Futures in Climate Change Impact Assessment: Using Scenarios as ‘Learning Machines’ (2001).
  • Berkes et al. Rediscovery of Traditional Ecological Knowledge as Adaptive Management (2000).
  • Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems (2000).
  • Gadgil et al. Indigenous Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation (1993).

Grey Literature

  • Smith, Tansey. 1854 Ceded Territory Climate Summary 2016-2017 (2018).
  • Adapt: Collaborative Tribal Climate Adaptation Planning (2016).
  • Center for Native Peoples and the Environment Annual Report (2016)
  • Climate Change and Our Natural Resources: A Report from the Treaty Tribes in Western Washington (2016).
  • Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan 1854 Ceded Territory Including The Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, and Grand Portage Reservations (2016).
  • Michigan Tribal Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning. Project Report (2016).
  • National Climate Assessment 3: Indigenous Peoples (2014).
  • ​Supporting Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Planning Through Community Participatory Strategic Foresight Scenario Development (2014).
  • United South & Eastern Tribes - 2013 USET Annual Report.
  • Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa: Reducing Its Carbon Footprint and Adapting To Climate Change (2012).
  • Facing The Storm: Indian Tribes, Climate-induced Weather Extremes, and the Future for Indian Country (2011).
  • Tribes & Climate Change - Tuscarora: Drawing on Traditional Teaching to Confront a Changing Climate (2011)
  • Addressing Climate Change at a Tribal Level (2010).
  • GLIFWC - Threats to Wild Plants in The Ceded Territories (2002).
  • Daigle and Putnam_Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples of Maine
  • Emerald Ash Borer Impacts American Indian Communities
  • Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) Climate Change Program.

​Academic literature

Belfer et al. Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Climate Change Reporting (2017).

This article examines how newspapers reporting on climate change have covered and framed Indigenous peoples. Focusing on eight newspapers in Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, we examine articles published from 1995 to 2015, and analyze them using content and framing analyses. The impacts of climate change are portrayed as having severe ecological, sociocultural, and health/safety impacts for Indigenous peoples, who are often framed as victims and “harbingers” of climate change.

Kukutai, Tahu and John Taylor. Indigenous Data Sovereignty (2016).

As the global 'data revolution' accelerates, how can the data rights and interests of indigenous peoples be secured? Premised on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, this book argues that indigenous peoples have inherent and inalienable rights relating to the collection, ownership and application of data about them, and about their lifeways and territories.

Norton-Smith et al. Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples: A Synthesis of Current Impacts and Experiences (2016).

​A growing body of literature examines the vulnerability, risk, resilience, and adaptation of indigenous peoples to climate change. This synthesis of literature brings together research pertaining to the impacts of climate change on sovereignty, culture, health, and economies that are currently being experienced by Alaska Native and American Indian tribes and other indigenous communities in the United States. The knowledge and science of how climate change impacts are affecting indigenous peoples contributes to the development of policies, plans, and programs for adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This report defines and describes the key frameworks that inform indigenous understandings of climate change impacts and pathways for adaptation and mitigation, namely, tribal sovereignty and self-determination, culture and cultural identity, and indigenous community health indicators. It also provides a comprehensive synthesis of climate knowledge, science, and strategies that indigenous communities are exploring, as well as an understanding of the gaps in research on these issues. This literature synthesis is intended to make a contribution to future efforts such as the 4th National Climate Assessment, while serving as a resource for future research, tribal and agency climate initiatives, and policy development.

NING ET AL. PROJECTED CHANGES IN CLIMATE EXTREMES OVER THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES (2015).

Projections of historical and future changes in climate extremes are examined by applying the bias-correction spatial disaggregation (BCSD) statistical downscaling method to five general circulation models (GCMs) from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). For this analysis, 11 extreme temperature and precipitation indices that are relevant across multiple disciplines (e.g., agriculture and conservation) are chosen.Over the historical period, the simulated means, variances, and cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of each of the 11 indices are first compared with observations, and the performance of the downscaling method is quantitatively evaluated. For the future period, the ensemble average of the five GCM simulations points to more warm extremes, fewer cold extremes, and more precipitation extremes with greater intensities under all three scenarios. The changes are larger under higher emissions scenarios. The inter-GCM uncertainties and changes in probability distributions are also assessed. Changes in the probability distributions indicate an in-crease in both the number and interannual variability of future climate extreme events. The potential deficiencies of the method in projecting future extremes are also discussed.

Ning, Liang and Raymond Bradley. Snow Occurrence Changes over the Central and Eastern United States under Future Warming Scenarios (2015).

Changes of snow occurrences over the central and eastern United States were investigated under two emission scenarios using averages of multiple general circulation models. By the end of the 21st century there will be a significant reduction in snowfall and length of the snow season. This can have great impacts on water resources, habitats, ecosystems, and economies in the region.

Bruhn, Jodi. Identifying Useful Approaches to the Governance of Indigenous Data (2014).

This exploratory policy article seeks to inform efforts to improve the governance of data between governments and Indigenous organizations and communities – especially the federal government and First Nations in Canada. It describes a spectrum of models arising from the growing literature on data governance in the corporate and public sectors as well as overarching approaches articulated by Indigenous organizations. After outlining certain practical considerations in negotiating data sharing agreements, the article presents a selection of promising initiatives in indigenous data governance undertaken in Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Cheruvelil, Jubin and Barbara Barton. Wild Rice Adaptation to Climate Change (2014).

Climate change is predicted to significantly warm ambient and water temperatures in the Great Lakes wild rice region, increase invasive species, increase decomposition rates which will release phosphorus and toxins from the sediment, and alter the conditions that presently exist. These changes will likely negatively affect wild rice (Zizania spp.) populations, which in turn, will affect the long-held traditions of wild rice harvesting by Tribal communities.

Cochran et al. Indigenous Framework for Observing and Responding to Climate Change in Alaska (2013).

Despite a keen awareness of climate change, northern Indigenous Peoples have had limited participation in climate-change science due to limited access, power imbalances, and differences in worldview. Climate-induced habitat changes associated with loss of sea ice and with landscape drying and extensive wildfires interact with northern development to bring both economic opportunities and environmental impacts. This paper suggests a multi-pronged approach to broadening indigenous participation in climate change research.

Cozzetto et al. Climate Change Impacts on the Water Resources of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the U.S. (2013).

This paper provides an overview of climate change impacts on tribal water resources and the subsequent cascading effects on the livelihoods and cultures of American Indians and Alaska Natives living on tribal lands in the US.

Lynn et al. The Impacts of Climate Change on Tribal Traditional Foods (2013).

This paper examines the impacts of climate change on tribal traditional foods by providing cultural context for the importance of traditional foods to tribal culture, recognizing that tribal access to traditional food resources is strongly influenced by the legal and regulatory relationship with the federal government, and examining the multi-faceted relationship that tribes have with places, ecological processes and species. Tribal participation in local, regional and national climate change adaption strategies, with a focus on food-based resources, can inform and strengthen the ability of both tribes and other governmental resource managers to address and adapt to climate change impacts.

Maldonado et al. The Impact of Climate Change on Tribal Communities in the US: Displacement, Relocation, and Human Rights (2013).

Taking a human rights approach, this article looks at communities’ advocacy efforts and strategies in dealing with climate change, displacement, and relocation. Case studies of Coastal Alaska and Louisiana are included to consider how communities are shaping their own relocation efforts in line with their cultural practices and values. The article concludes with recommendations on steps for moving forward toward community-led and government-supported resettlement programs.

Vinyeta, Kirsten and Kathy Lynn. Exploring the Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Climate Change Initiatives (2013).

This synthesis describes the potential role of TEK in climate change assessment and adaptation efforts. It also identifies some of the challenges and benefits associated with merging TEK with Western science, and reviews the way in which federal policies and administrative practices facilitate or challenge the incorporation of TEK in climate change initiatives. The synthesis highlights examples of how tribes and others are including TEK into climate research, education, and resource planning and explores strategies to incorporate TEK into climate change policy, assessments, and adaptation efforts at national, regional, and local levels.