August 09, 2008	Saturday	Sha’aban 6, 1429

ROME: Global warming and limited access to land and other resources threaten many indigenous peoples, the UN food agency warned on Friday.

“Indigenous peoples are among the first to suffer from increasingly harsh and erratic weather conditions, and a generalised lack of empowerment to claim goods and services,” said indigenous peoples expert Regina Laub of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Many indigenous groups live in vulnerable environments such as mountainous areas, the Arctic, jungles or dry lands, added the FAO statement released on the eve of the International Day for the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The FAO noted that native populations also played a critical role in adapting to climate change.

Indigenous communities are often the custodians of unique knowledge and skills, the Rome-based agency noted, adding that some 80 per cent of the world’s remaining biodiversity “that may be vital in adapting to climate change” is found within their territories.—AFP