Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Options: A Review of The Scientific Literature

Tribal Nations will likely be one of the most heavily impacted populations in North America by climate change due to several factors including an intimate, long-standing relationship with the land, limited and relatively non-diverse economies, poor energy security and transportation options, and the practice of subsistence activities in many communities. These characteristics of Tribal Nations make them more vulnerable or sensitive to the impacts of climate change. The most likely tribal resources effected by climate change are ecosystems, natural resources, human health and energy production and use. The purpose of this report is to summarize information in published scientific literature that identify physical changes in the climate due to climate change, to identify vulnerabilities of tribal resources to climate change, and to identify adaptation options that tribes in Region 10 could implement to minimize the possible adverse effects to their life style and well being.