Native American Tribes face a complex array of climate change threats to their communities’ health, infrastructure, culture, and economies. The coasts of Oregon and Washington are home to over two dozen Tribal nations, each contending with climate impacts including sea level rise, ocean acidification, extreme heat events, increasing wildfire risk and declining snowpack. Coastal Tribes of Washington and Oregon have undertaken significant efforts to understand, prepare for and respond to these risks. Many have completed climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans to guide their efforts, but face considerable obstacles in acting on those plans.
The Tribal Coastal Resilience Portfolio of the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative conducted an assessment to better understand the state of climate adaptation among Northwest coastal Tribes, and to elevate Tribes’ experience of key barriers and needs which, if addressed, could help advance Tribal resilience.
The assessment was informed by a review of Tribal climate documents and other relevant reports, as well as a series of listening sessions with Tribal staff, citizens and elected officials. Results suggest Northwest coastal Tribes face significant barriers and unmet needs in realizing their adaptation goals, despite being leaders in climate adaptation. Key barriers and needs focus around five key areas: funding; Tribal staff and workforce capacity; collaboration and partnerships; technical assistance and climate services; and communication, education and outreach.
This report is intended to build awareness of these challenges among funders, policy makers, climate service providers and others to mobilize necessary action in support of the climate adaptation efforts of Northwest coastal Tribes.
Hasert, R., C. Countryman, A. Marchand., M. Poe, K. Avery, and M. Krosby. 2024. Climate Adaptation Barriers and Needs Experienced by Northwest Coastal Tribes: Key Findings from Tribal Listening Sessions. A collaborative product of the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and Washington Sea Grant.
