Shifting Seasons: Great Lakes Tribal Climate Change Summit is in full swing as over 130 guests and participants listen and speak about various climate change issues. As today continues to unfold, we encourage you to stop by this evening or tomorrow if you are interested in learning about climate change or meeting influential and highly knowledgeable presenters concerning sustainable development topics on Policy, Social and Cultural, Natural Environment, Food, Community, and Emergency Management.
Yesterday’s events focused on “Policy” and “Social and Cultural” climate
change. Presenters stressed the importance of getting politically involved
and to not overlook climate change. Larry Merculeiff, Seven Generations
Consulting, Aleut Nation, noted “Because of climate change, things are
changing faster and faster and it’s affecting many species.” He stressed
that mother earth is going through a dramatic change and highlighted the
importance of our roots and tradition. He urged: “We have to go back to
our cultural ways.”
Dr. Don Wuebbles from the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at University of Illinios stressed that climate change is one of the most important issues facing humanity. “Our future depends largely on our choices,” he said. Later, in a presentation titled “Developing Culturally Based Tribal Policies”, Dr. Robert Yazzie, Director at Dine Policy Institue,
encouraged looking at a problem from the roots to find what efforts may solve such issues and to get physically involved. “Understanding and defining the issue from the problem can give you
different results……We can’t just talk about harmony and being holistic
and expect people to understand culture,” he noted.
Tuesday’s events wrapped up with presentations by SDI’s Interns on Carbon
Sequestration, Campus Sustainability, Menominee Ethnobotany, Tree Nurseries and Seedlings, Greenhouse and Nursery Planning, and Sustainability in Education. Student interns fielded questions as summit guests approached each poster to learn about what research had been done on their projects.
Today’s events focus on Natural Indicators of Climate Change, Food
Sustainability issues and Community and Emergency Management. After a
morning prayer, Juan Rojas, Institute of Mesoamerican Permaculture, gave an intreaguing presentation on Permaculture and Climate Change Adaptation. He helped define permaculture as permanent agriculture of a permanent culture and urged nations to work together and think about future generations. He stated: “There is no such things as being self‑sufficient. Either we work together or we fail.” Other respected speakers continue to present their knowledge as today’s summit continues to unfold.
All members of the community are encouraged to stop by the summit and learn valuable information about climate change affecting us worldwide and right here within our community. For more information on the climate change summit, Please click the following link. Resources-Shifting Seasons: Great Lakes Tribal Climate Change Summit
1 comment
JEdler says:
August 29, 2011 at 12:56 pm (UTC -5)
I learned a lot and had a great time meeting people at the summit! All of the presenters were extremely knowledgeable and I enjoyed each presentation. Thank you!