[ad_1]
Alaskan advocate for Indigenous peoples attends U.N. climate conference in Dubai
An Alaskan advocate for the needs of Alaska and the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic is in Dubai this week, attending the United Nations’ climate change conference as a delegate from the state.
Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Director for Climate Initiatives, arrived in Dubai ahead of the United Arab Emirates-hosted United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties, which has kicked off its 2023 edition.
Schaeffer, who was nominated by the Inuit Circumpolar Council to attend the conference on behalf of the organization, aims to elevate the importance of Indigenous knowledge in addressing climate change. She emphasized the resilience and adaptability of Indigenous populations who have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years and highlighted the need to incorporate their strengths into global solutions.
The conference, which expects 70,000 attendees from 200 different countries, will focus on identifying solutions to limit global temperature increase and implement processes to further progress in going green.
Schaeffer’s goal is to help address the specific changes Indigenous communities are experiencing, particularly in rural parts of Alaska. She highlighted the impacts of climate change on areas such as housing, energy, public health, sanitation, and traditional ways of living, as well as the need to ensure food sovereignty and access to food.
In a prepared statement, Inuit Circumpolar Council International Chair Sara Olsvig emphasized the importance of Indigenous voices at global events like COP28, stating that Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own future and be part of decision-making processes.
The conference, which is set to run through December 12, 2023, has faced controversy with claims that the United Arab Emirates planned to use the gathering for backdoor deals related to oil and gas. However, conference leaders have denied these allegations.
Overall, Schaeffer’s presence at the conference highlights the crucial role of Indigenous knowledge and voices in addressing the climate crisis and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
[ad_2]