Global warming is wreaking havoc in Alaska. In February 2006, during the Alaska Forum on the Environment, Alaska Native participants described increased forest fires, more dangerous hunting, fishing and traveling conditions, visible changes in animals and plants, infrastructure damage from melting permafrost and coastal erosion, fiercer winter storms, and pervasive unpredictability. (Dan Joling, Associated Press, 2/7/07). Because of these and other dramatic changes, traditional knowledge is jeopardized, as are cultural structures and the nutritional needs of Alaska's indigenous peoples.
The Native American Rights Fund, which the library is a part of, successfully gathered 162 Tribal and Corporate Resolutions calling on Congress and the Executive Office to adopt legislation reducing carbon emissions. The resolutions were carried to Washington, D.C. by tribal leaders and presented to the Alaska Delegation on Climate Change Crisis Day, March 20th and 21st. A successful meeting with Congressman Markey followed and resulted in interest to convene hearings on climate change impacts on indigenous peoples.
To read more, visit our case update page on the Global Warming Project, and read the resolutions from the tribes.
