Recent climate-related changes represent cultural threats similar to the ones that occurred when European settlement began in the Americas over 500 years ago . Thus, for Indigenous Peoples, who often disproportionately bear the impacts of climate change, such changes are not novel, but seen as déjà vu . Since livelihoods and subsistence are often directly dependent on the land and water, Indigenous Peoples have direct insights into the localised impacts of global environmental change. Indeed, Indigenous Peoples consider themselves stewards of the land , and have a spiritual duty to care for the land and its flora, fauna and aquatic community, or 'Circle' of beings. Indigenous knowledge  has gained recognition for its potential to bolster Western scientific research about climate change. Many recent examples demonstrate the scientific value of IK for resource management in climate-change adaptation and mitigation . For example, Indigenous practices have not only contributed to the present understanding of North American forest fires, but also that the practice of frequent small-scale anthropogenic fires, also called cultural burns, is a key method to prevent large- scale destructive fires . The growing interest and recognised value in these practices, particularly in California, has led to formal agreements with state and federal agencies .
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report