Executive Certificate in Climate Change Impacts on Indigenous Cultures
Published on June 24, 2025
About this Podcast
HOST: Welcome to our podcast, today we're talking with Dr. Maya Jackson, an expert in environmental policy and the lead instructor for the new Executive Certificate in Climate Change Impacts on Indigenous Cultures. Dr. Jackson, can you tell us what inspired you to create this course? GUEST: Absolutely, I've seen firsthand how climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous communities. This course is a way to equip professionals with the knowledge they need to help create more climate-resilient futures for these communities. HOST: That's fascinating. Could you share some current trends in this field? GUEST: Sure, there's growing recognition of the importance of traditional ecological knowledge, or TEK, in climate change adaptation strategies. Also, the concept of climate justice is becoming more prominent, acknowledging the unequal burden of climate change on certain groups. HOST: Those sound like important developments. But I imagine there are challenges in this field as well. Could you share some of them? GUEST: Yes, one major challenge is ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard and their rights are protected in climate change discussions and policies. Another is integrating TEK with modern scientific knowledge in a respectful and effective way. HOST: That's quite a task. Looking forward, what do you see as the future of this area? GUEST: I believe we'll see more collaboration between Indigenous communities, policymakers, and environmental scientists. I'm also hopeful that we'll see more emphasis on climate justice and the integration of TEK in climate change adaptation strategies. HOST: Dr. Jackson, thank you for your insights and for creating this important course. We're sure it will make a significant impact in the field of environmental management and sustainability. GUEST: Thank you for having me. I'm excited to see the positive change that this course can bring.
