Air Pollution and Climate Change
in Indigenous Communities

Air pollution causes major environmental health problems in Indigenous communities.

Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted by pipelines, mines, waste incinerators, and other polluting industries that poison the air and water.

Indigenous adults and children have higher rates of many diseases linked to air pollution exposure, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). An emerging air quality threat for Indigenous people is climate change. Wildfires are an increasing concern to air quality. As the climate changes, hotter temperatures and drier conditions can trigger catastrophic wildfires on and near Tribal lands.

Climate change poses particular threats to ways of life and health of Indigenous families in every region of the US. Climate change is contributing to the loss of Indigenous cultures and Indigenous knowledge systems, and it is forcing the relocation of Indigenous communities.