Climate-driven losses to Indigenous and local knowledge and cultural heritage

Anthropogenic climate change is leading to widespread losses around the world. While the focus of research over the last decade has largely been on economic or tangible losses, researchers have begun to shift their focus to understanding the non-economic or intangible dimensions of loss more deeply. Loss of life, biodiversity and social cohesion are some of the losses that are beginning to be explored, along with Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) and cultural heritage. These latter two form the basis of this systematic review of 100 studies to take stock of what we know about climate-driven losses to ILK and cultural heritage, how such losses manifest and how they are overcome, revealing gaps in our knowledge and carving a path for future research.

Automated summary

Anthropogenic climate change is causing widespread losses globally, including the loss of life, biodiversity, social cohesion, Indigenous and local knowledge, and cultural heritage. Research has shifted towards understanding these intangible losses, identifying gaps in knowledge, and paving the way for future studies.