Linking Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge of Climate Change

Abstract

We explore the connections among indigenous climate-related narratives, documented temperature changes, and climate change impact studies from the scientific literature. We then propose a framework for enhancing synthesis of these indigenous narratives of observed climate change with global assessments. Our aim is to contribute to the thoughtful and respectful integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific data and analysis, so that this rich body of knowledge can inform science and so that indigenous peoples can use the tools and methods of science for the benefit of their communities if they choose to do so. Improving ways of understanding such connections is critical as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report process proceeds.

Comparing peasants' perceptions of precipitation change with precipitation records in the tropical Callejón de Huaylas, Peru

“…Emphasis was on local climate and environmental changes, with particular interest in agriculture and related community activities (e.g., Agrawal, 1995;Alexander et al, 2011;Klein et al, 2014). Since the memories of individuals are limited in space and time they are not able to mirror the complete natural and societal processes.…”

Integrating local hybrid knowledge and state support for climate change adaptation in the Asian Highlands

“…Despite their poverty, relative lack of political representation and limited scientific understanding, people in the Asian Highlands are developing hybrid forms of climate change adaptation that are neither wholly local nor government-based. This process is similar to, but not the same as, processes described by Alexander et al (2010) and Armitage et al (2011) where multiple actors "co-produce" new adaptive knowledge by design. In the Asian Highlands, such co-production is occurring, but hybrid knowledge is also generated in reaction to events without much foresight or planning.…”

Observatorio Ecosocial Para El Seguimiento Del Cambio Climático en Ecosistemas De Altura en La Región De Tarapacá: Propuestas, Avances Y Proyecciones

“…La elaboración y validación de un instrumento que describa y caracterice la percepción local respecto del cambio climático permitirá reconocer la perspectiva de actores sociales e incluirla de manera activa, dinámica y contextual para conferirle al observatorio una visión integradora de las consecuencias del cambio climático y de cómo abordarlas (Alexander et al 2011). La componente social del observatorio busca responder a las siguientes interrogantes: i) ¿Cómo percibe la comunidad local la variabilidad en el clima y los cambios que ha presentado en el largo plazo (i.e.…”