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The impact of climate change on tribal communities in the US: displacement, relocation, and human rights

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  • Julie Maldonado
  • Christine Shearer
  • Robin Bronen
  • Kristina Peterson
  • Heather Lazrus

Abstract

Tribal communities in the United States, particularly in coastal areas, are being forced to relocate due to accelerated rates of sea level rise, land erosion, and/or permafrost thaw brought on by climate change. Forced relocation and inadequate governance mechanisms and budgets to address climate change and support adaptation strategies may cause loss of community and culture, health impacts, and economic decline, further exacerbating tribal impoverishment and injustice. Sovereign tribal communities around the US, however, are using creative strategies to counter these losses. 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. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Julie Maldonado & Christine Shearer & Robin Bronen & Kristina Peterson & Heather Lazrus, 2013. "The impact of climate change on tribal communities in the US: displacement, relocation, and human rights," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 601-614, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:120:y:2013:i:3:p:601-614
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-013-0746-z
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    2. Kathy Lynn & John Daigle & Jennie Hoffman & Frank Lake & Natalie Michelle & Darren Ranco & Carson Viles & Garrit Voggesser & Paul Williams, 2013. "The impacts of climate change on tribal traditional foods," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 545-556, October.
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    5. Patricia Cochran & Orville Huntington & Caleb Pungowiyi & Stanley Tom & F. Chapin & Henry Huntington & Nancy Maynard & Sarah Trainor, 2013. "Indigenous frameworks for observing and responding to climate change in Alaska," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 557-567, October.
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    2. Christine D. Miller Hesed & Elizabeth R. Van Dolah & Michael Paolisso, 2020. "Engaging faith-based communities for rural coastal resilience: lessons from collaborative learning on the Chesapeake Bay," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 159(1), pages 37-57, March.
    3. Beatriz Felipe Pérez & Alexandra Tomaselli, 2021. "Indigenous Peoples and climate-induced relocation in Latin America and the Caribbean: managed retreat as a tool or a threat?," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(3), pages 352-364, September.
    4. Celia McMichael & Teresia Powell, 2021. "Planned Relocation and Health: A Case Study from Fiji," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Andrew L. Dannenberg & Howard Frumkin & Jeremy J. Hess & Kristie L. Ebi, 2019. "Managed retreat as a strategy for climate change adaptation in small communities: public health implications," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 153(1), pages 1-14, March.
    6. Katy Davis & James D. Ford & Claire H. Quinn & Anuszka Mosurska & Melanie Flynn & IHACC Research Team & Sherilee L. Harper, 2022. "Shifting Safeties and Mobilities on the Land in Arctic North America: A Systematic Approach to Identifying the Root Causes of Disaster," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-23, June.
    7. Lauren A. Dent & Jamie Donatuto & Larry Campbell & Marnie Boardman & Jeremy J. Hess & Nicole A. Errett, 2023. "Incorporating Indigenous voices in regional climate change adaptation: opportunities and challenges in the U.S. Pacific Northwest," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(3), pages 1-22, March.
    8. Byungdoo Kim & David L. Kay & Jonathon P. Schuldt, 2021. "Will I have to move because of climate change? Perceived likelihood of weather- or climate-related relocation among the US public," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-8, March.
    9. Carol Kalafatic, 2020. "Indigenous Peoples Re-Membering Their Futures in Extraordinary Times," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 63(1), pages 27-30, March.
    10. Christian Huggel & Dáithí Stone & Hajo Eicken & Gerrit Hansen, 2015. "Potential and limitations of the attribution of climate change impacts for informing loss and damage discussions and policies," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 133(3), pages 453-467, December.
    11. Cynthia Agumanu McOliver & Anne K. Camper & John T. Doyle & Margaret J. Eggers & Tim E. Ford & Mary Ann Lila & James Berner & Larry Campbell & Jamie Donatuto, 2015. "Community-Based Research as a Mechanism to Reduce Environmental Health Disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-25, April.
    12. Mahesh Gautam & Karletta Chief & William Smith, 2013. "Climate change in arid lands and Native American socioeconomic vulnerability: The case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 585-599, October.
    13. Tony Matthews & Ruth Potts, 2018. "Planning for climigration: a framework for effective action," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 607-621, June.
    14. Kerstin K. Zander & Akhilesh Surjan & Stephen T. Garnett, 2016. "Exploring the effect of heat on stated intentions to move," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 138(1), pages 297-308, September.
    15. Patricia Cochran & Orville Huntington & Caleb Pungowiyi & Stanley Tom & F. Chapin & Henry Huntington & Nancy Maynard & Sarah Trainor, 2013. "Indigenous frameworks for observing and responding to climate change in Alaska," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 557-567, October.
    16. Kathy Lynn & John Daigle & Jennie Hoffman & Frank Lake & Natalie Michelle & Darren Ranco & Carson Viles & Garrit Voggesser & Paul Williams, 2013. "The impacts of climate change on tribal traditional foods," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 545-556, October.
    17. Kyle Whyte, 2013. "Justice forward: Tribes, climate adaptation and responsibility," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 517-530, October.
    18. Robert H. W. Boyer & Nicole D. Peterson & Poonam Arora & Kevin Caldwell, 2016. "Five Approaches to Social Sustainability and an Integrated Way Forward," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-18, September.

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