Fire | Water | Earth | Air
FOOD SCARCITY
With the adverse effects of climate change looming a changing climate calls for a change in agriculture production, with sporadic changes in the weather it'll be a task to develop a new agricultural norm. Water scarcity and heatwaves will be a challenge for growing crops and raising livestock so much so that a loss in production isn't out of the question. That's why Kanaka has been investing in food self-sufficiency. While grocery prices skyrocket in nearby cities, Kanaka will be okay because we've created stability by investing in local agriculture.
LANDSLIDES AND POTENTIAL AVALANCHES
Kanaka's reserve land is located on roughly 90% cliff-face and is largely susceptible to potential landslides. With an increase in spring precipitation, rising temperatures, and rain-on-snow events the likelihood of landslides is ever-increasing. Much of Kanaka's developed land is naturally protected because of its geographical location however, Hope B.C. has a history of landslides and is much more susceptible to landslides that could affect a larger population i.e. if a landslide on the highways within Hope a significant transportation hub would occur huge backups in food and supplies would affect a larger population. Kanaka can do what we can to work in cooperation with the local government to mitigate landslide risks and consequences.
ECOSYSTEM SHIFTS
One of the main impacts of climate change and perhaps the most nerve-racking for First Nations, Kanaka Bar faces are the changes in ecosystems and cycles. There's a beautiful equilibrium between the land and its animals that is currently faced with a threat, mainly due to the changes in the environment. A loss in ecosystem connectivity can be perhaps the most psychologically harmful for First Nations communities and people with a strong connection with the land. With the prolonged droughts, there's an expected loss in water availability for ponds and wetland habitats as well as a decrease in high elevation habitats that will result in a loss of many traditional foods and practices. Loss of habitat isn't the only threat - with the increase of drought and wildfire BC will become heavily susceptible to an increase in pests and disease - like the ponderosa pine beetle. By 2080 the region will become warmer and drier, which will result in a shift from forest areas to grasslands. While Kanaka can do what we can to protect our land and natural resources within the traditional territory it is out of our hands to mitigate the loss of our eco-cycles and put into the hands of many. To maintain the equilibrium we have today we as the Nlakapamux and as a Nation must work together to ensure that the worst of climate change doesn't occur. We must stay below a global average temperature of 2.5 degrees C to maintain the beauty we call home today. We must work as a whole to ensure the survival of our ecosystems.
LOSS OF FORESTS
The oncoming possibilities of increased droughts, wildfires, and pine beetle infestation poses a great threat to established forests throughout BC. Many of the negative effects of climate change don't occur individually but are intertwined with each other. A pine beetle infestation can kill an entire forest, paired with a severe drought and you've got the reckoning of a severe wildfire. Kanaka does what we must to mitigate fires by use of fuel management and proper water irrigation, however, an expected loss to the current forests is inevitable if the risks aren't properly alleviated.