A
 Synthesis
 of
 Literature
 on
 Traditional 
Ecological
 Knowledge
 and 
Climate 
Change

Many indigenous communities are beginning to experience the affects of climate change . As American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians prepare to confront this threat, effective, culturally relevant strategies for climate change assessment and adaptation must be developed. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), is the primary indigenous way of understanding relationships among species, ecosystems, and ecological processes. TEK has the potential to play a vital role in climate change assessment and adaptation efforts that bridge human and environmental systems. Not only does it hold relevance for indigenous groups, TEK is also being recognized as an invaluable contribution to the larger climate change discussions occurring at regional, national and international levels.

This synthesis of literature is specifically focused on TEK in the context of climate change. There is a significant body of literature describing the use of TEK in natural and cultural resource management, as well as literature describing the similarities and differences between TEK and Western science. As academics, government and communities build their understanding of climate change impacts, there is a need to understand the role of TEK in identifying impacts, planning for and adapting to climate change. This synthesis seeks to identify literature that has begun to explore this relationship between TEK and climate change.