Though tribal nations barely contribute to emissions, they disproportionately feel the negative effects of climate change. Once the impacts are felt on reservations, can tribal nations hold the United States to account? This episode of Borderscapes will explore the effect of climate change on tribal nations in the United States and take a look at the complex web of cultural and legal issues at play in this cross-border issue.

Huge thanks to my guests Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Dean of the SJ Quinney Law School at the University of Utah and Anna Smith, Assistant Editor at High Country News, for their insightful contributions.

The articles ‘Tribal nations demand response to climate relocation’ and ‘How do tribal nations’ treaties figure into climate change?’ written by Anna V. Smith inspired me to research this topic further. The articles Environmental Justice: A Necessary Lens to Effectively View Environmental Threats to Indigenous Survival and Indigenous Adaptation in the Face of Climate Change by Elizabeth Kronk Warner proved essential further reading. Full citations can be found here.

Image credit to Monina Loperena, a photographer with an interest in ethnographic studies, anthropology and world journalism.

Produced by Amanda Coldwell