Climate Resilience & Adaptation
Climate change refers to the increasing changes in the measure of climate over a long period of time – including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns. These patterns are intensified by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and land use changes (i.e., deforestation) resulting in more heat retention and increased surface temperatures. Climate change can lead to increased flooding and drought, more frequent extreme weather events, sea level rise, species extinction, and can even impact human health.
Tribal Nations are at the front lines of climate changes as it threatens the traditional lands, foods, and lifestyles of many communities. As a result, many Tribes are working to assess vulnerabilities and develop climate adaptation and resilience strategies.
NAFWS recognizes that Tribal communities are often amongst the first and most severely impacted by climate change. NAFWS supports Tribal Nations prepare for and respond to climate-related environmental impacts through the following actions:
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Partnered with the USGS Alaska Climate Adaptation Center (CASC) to hire four Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons who provided outreach and extension programming on Tribal climate-impact related issues concerns and adaptation strategies across Alaska from 2021-2025.
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The Alaska Climate team's focus is on assisting Alaska Native Tribes with their climate adaptation and resiliency. Alaska is facing rapid changes in climate, which touches every aspect of life for native people. From the collapse of the Yukon salmon fisheries to the impacts of intensifying storms like Typhoon Merbok, Tribes have been dealing with the harsh realities of climate change. But, Alaska Natives have proved resilient for generations and will continue to be capable and strong. In partnership with the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, our team has been working to assist Tribes with their climate adaptation efforts by connecting them with others doing this work and useful climate science.
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Host climate change related workshops at regional and national conferences
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30 X 30 INITIATIVE
Thirty by thirty (30×30) is a global initiative to conserve at least 30 percent of the land and ocean by 2030, the minimum step scientists say is needed to pull us back from the tipping point that nature and our climate has reached. In the 116th congress, the 30×30 Resolution to Save Nature (S.RES.372) was introduced in the Senate supported by Representative Haaland and Senator Udall.
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In a letter to congress, a Tribal leaders addressed how the 30×30 initiative is an opportunity to safeguard the environment and Tribal cultural values, strengthen the Nation-to-Nation relationship, and uphold Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
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Representative Haaland led a Tribal Leader Forum on 30×30 Policy. A Tribal Leader statement identified Tribal key priorities for 30×30 ( (letter). “The 30×30 policy serves as a vitally important opportunity to safeguard the environment, Tribal cultural values, strengthen the Nation-to-Nation relationship, and uphold Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. We have identified key priorities related to (1) Sovereignty, (2) Consultation, (3) Representation, (4) Resources, and (5) Evaluation that can strengthen the government-to-government collaboration we must undertake to safeguard the environment.”
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NAFWS was included in Representative Haaland’s 30×30 Tribal Leader’s Forum in September 2020. NAFWS will provide education on 30×30 policy and impacts to Tribes.
“Tribal Nations are key to the success of the 30×30 policy initiative in the U.S. as they are intrinsically linked, presently and historically, to existing and prospective protected areas. Tribal Nations are the original stewards of these lands and waters and have been the most effective managers and protectors of biodiversity since time immemorial….The 30×30 policy serves as a vitally important opportunity to safeguard the environment, Tribal cultural values, strengthen the Nation-to-Nation relationship, and uphold Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
—Letter from Tribal Leaders and Tribal organization leaders
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