ABSTRACT

As climate change encroaches on northern lands, the interests and traditional life-ways of Native peoples are likely to be threatened. Prior to construction of the dam, the community had no real social problems and a high degree of coherence. The same kind of social disorganization, cultural disintegration, and rapid increase in social problems can occur from displacement when parks and protected areas are established. During times of social instability, the price of ignoring the needs of native peoples’ needs can be even higher. At the time of colonial transition in India, local peoples ravaged protected area wildlife. The political unrest in Togo has led to the same result. Even in times of relative social stability, angry villagers in North Benin have regularly set unwanted forest fires. Aboriginal peoples need to create a power base that will resist the tendencies for power to be monopolized by outside interests when protected area ecosystems experience climate-induced stress.