Climate change is a threat to Indigenous Peoples' rights, and their health. Indigenous communities are particularly affected. Many of these impacts are at the individual, regional and personal level. Indigenous peoples have unique ways of understanding and knowing climate change. Their knowledge systems are well documented in academic literature, and they have been updated with each generation. Yet, Indigenous communities remain geographically isolated and are often underrepresented in mainstream media. They are therefore often denied the chance to influence public policy and debate on climate change.
Climate change and Indigenous issues are often not covered in media coverage in high-income countries. This has been confirmed by studies of the coverage. While some articles discuss positive impacts of climate change, most of the content has been focused on the negative. Climate change efforts will have to be inclusive of Indigenous Peoples' worldviews and reflect their needs. The mainstream media is a good platform for Indigenous peoples to challenge dominant narratives. This study evaluated 92 newspaper articles published in high-income countries over 20 years.
A wide range of articles were screened by using search terms that specifically referred to climate change. Articles that discussed climate change in Indigenous communities, articles about the economic cost of responding, and articles that described the benefits of responding to it were all screened. These results indicated that the most common description of climate change's adverse effects was "continuous or substantial". On the other side, climate change's benefits were more commonly discussed as having positive effects.
Many articles were focused on the Inuit's experiences with climate change. One journalist implied Inuit communities were responsible to endangering polar bears by resisting hunting bans. Another article described the experiences of the Inuit with Arctic ice melt. Both articles were too racist and simplified Indigenous issues. There were also articles referring to Indigenous communities and Indigenous peoples, which focused on the Navajo or the Dene. A third article addressed the potential impact of government initiatives upon Indigenous communities.
Other studies have revealed the crucial role of media in shaping public understandings of climate change. Media coverage has a direct impact on Indigenous peoples' ability to access funding streams and resources. This can also affect the way the general public views Indigenous issues. Despite the significant role of the mainstream media, few studies have investigated the impact of environmental coverage on the portrayal of Indigenous peoples. Some studies have found that mainstream media portrayals of Indigenous peoples are inaccurate. They often focus on negative effects rather than positive ones. The mainstream media's treatment of Indigenous issues is often based on racist stereotypes and fails recognize the complex and unique contributions that Indigenous Peoples make to the planet.
It is essential that Indigenous Peoples and Nations engage in additional work to create Indigenous-led climate policy. These policies should also be developed with tribal leadership.
FAQ
What is the current state of the global climate and how is it changing?
The current climate is characterized by unprecedented uncertainty and change. Temperatures are rising rapidly due to unprecedented levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This is causing heat waves, droughts, changes in rainfall patterns, melting of polar ice caps and ocean acidification as well as an increase in sea level.
These changes are already having a profound impact on ecosystems around the world, causing extinctions and disruption of habitats. They are also threatening lives and livelihoods for billions of people, especially those who live in areas with resource scarcity.
Increased average surface temperatures, which are caused by human activity, have led to an increase of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes or cyclones. This trend is expected to continue into the future as temperatures continue to climb.
The effects of a rapidly changing global climate can be felt everywhere from rising food insecurity to displacement from extreme weather events or sea level rise forcing communities to relocate. Climate change is also exacerbating existing social inequalities by disproportionately affecting marginalized communities that do not possess the resources or knowledge necessary for adapting effectively.
While some countries have made progress in reducing carbon emissions, or implementing renewable energy initiatives, global action has not been taken at the level necessary to combat these changes. To prevent further destruction and devastation caused by climate change, all countries must work together to take immediate action and plan for adaptation in an ever-changing world.
How are extreme weather events related to climate change?
Global warming directly links extreme weather events like heat waves, floods. droughts. cyclones. storms. Global warming has caused an increase in atmospheric temperatures. This has had an impact on different weather phenomena worldwide.
Climate scientists say that the average frequency of extreme weather-related disasters had more than doubled since 1980. The sea level rises due to rising ocean temperatures and changing wind patterns. This affects the normal distribution of storms and hurricanes in different geographical regions across the planet.
Warm water was pushed towards South America by the 2015 El Nino event. This caused rising temperatures to alarming levels. Heavy rains also caused flooding in Peru and Bolivia, causing displacement and property damage. Many places, including Antarctica has recorded its highest temperature ever. This is an indication of a strong correlation between global warming trends & the occurrence/frequency of extreme weather phenomena around the globe.
Another example of climate change at work is Hurricane Irma. It was a major storm that struck Florida in 2017, causing economic losses of $50 billion.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) concluded, "Human activities are increasing the severity current climate change." This naturally leads worldwide to more severe, intense, and frequent natural disasters. There is strong evidence of humans' involvement with extreme weather events occurring frequently around us all.
What is the role of greenhouse gases in climate change?
Climate change is driven by greenhouse gases. They act like an invisible blanket around the Earth, trapping infrared radiation and warming the atmosphere. Without them, the planet might be much colder that it is now.
Human activity can cause greenhouse gases, such as the burning of fossil fuels and other industries that emit emissions. These activities will continue to increase heat trapping in the atmosphere. This will lead to increasing temperatures and extreme weather conditions.
The most prevalent greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, which is released from fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, and coal. Important contributors are also methane and nitrousoxide (N2O), as well fluorinated gases (Fgases).
Because of human activities, the concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased substantially since preindustrial days. This has led worldwide warming and increased temperatures in the oceans as well as all over the planet. It is also causing major changes such as stronger storms and more droughts, melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and increased flooding.
To avoid further damage from climate change, humans need to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by transitioning away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. You can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reforestation and adopting farming methods that allow soil to absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These activities will reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and create a healthier environment that supports all life.
Statistics
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (un.org)
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
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How To
How to include sustainable practices in your daily life to combat climate changes
Reducing your consumption of energy and food is one way you can integrate sustainable practices into your day. Try shopping secondhand, borrowing from family and friends, or buying new items every other day. A vegetarian diet once or twice a month can help to reduce the amount of methane that is released into the atmosphere by reducing livestock production. Also, conserve energy by turning off all lights in a room when you leave it.
One way to combat climate change, is to decrease emissions from transportation sources like planes and cars by carpooling. In place of traditional fossil fuels, we can choose to use renewable power sources such solar panels to generate electricity at our homes. To make climate change action effective, it is important to support policies that promote clean air regulations. Engaging with others on issues such as plastic pollution and deforestation can be hugely beneficial, since it makes citizens more aware of the issue and encourages them to act.