One of the essential steps in preventing the effects of climate change is to exact global effort. Aside from populated countries, certain groups of people are more susceptible to climate change effects than the rest. Here’s how climate change affects indigenous tribes:

1. Climate change leads to a higher risk of disease.

Many indigenous populations do not have access to modern medical treatment. Many of them live off the land, while some tribes live on reservations that have little to no access to healthcare.

2. Climate change drastically change their livelihood and cultural practices.

Some tribes that live in rainforests, mountains, and scarce areas live off the land through hunting, fishing, and gathering. Climate change results in fewer yields of resources, thereby affecting these tribes’ way of sustenance and livelihood.

3. Indigenous tribes have lesser resources that can help them adapt to sudden climate change.

Fewer natural and artificial resources make it challenging for these tribes to adapt to their environment. Many reservations have minimum funds for upkeep and access to basic needs. 

Additionally, mountain areas and scarce lands are usually isolated from metropolitans and modern societies—making it harder for tribes to access basic needs and community support.

How Are Indigenous Tribes Combating Climate Change?

Despite our differences in culture and lifestyles, many indigenous tribes feel empowered to combat climate change in their own way. While it’s true that indigenous peoples are more susceptible to climate change effects, they do have sustainable ideas and actions that make an impact.

Here are some ways that these tribes are combating climate change:

1. Through political and economic resistance. According to the Climate Adaptation Platform website, some people in the Amazon region actively fight against climate change by resisting occupation by companies and political figureheads. They protest, enforce their rights, and work together as a unit to combat corruption and environmental exploitation.

2. Increased awareness of their responsibility.

In a paper titled “The role of indigenous peoples in combating climate change” by Linda Etchart, many tribes are becoming aware of their responsibility to protect the forests in the hopes of combating the effects of climate change. These people recognize the potential of their decision-making power and actively lobby for inclusion in government and even at the United Nations. Providing these people a seat in these organizations can help generate possible solutions to conserving wildlife.

Takeaway: All hope is not lost. Despite the challenges these indigenous are facing, they are still willing to play their part in preserving the environment. In a way, we can encourage change by contacting our local government figures and lobbying for sustainable, eco-friendly solutions at a local level first.