Indigenous well-being and urban climate: lessons from the Arctic

Indigenous people remain at the margins of discussions about urban climate, although they are often the first ones to experience the negative consequences of climate change. In particular, they are often part of marginalized communities with limited access to decision-making and resources necessary for resilience, including equitable healthcare and traditional food systems. The research gap remains in understanding the intersection between urban climate impacts, Indigenous communities' health, and the protection of Indigenous rights. As the Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, the ties between urban climate and people illustrate broader tension between the necessity to address climate change while supporting well-being.  This paper explores relations between Indigenous well-being and urban climate in Fairbanks, Alaska, drawing on data collected through interviews and observations conducted during five field trips in 2022–2025. Based on the preliminary results from the analysis of gathered data, we argue that even in urban conditions, Indigenous well-being heavily depends on multigenerational human-nature relations that constitute biocultural heritage. Therefore, we call for ethically and responsibly engaging Indigenous communities in urban climate research to produce more nuanced knowledge and address issues of equity and justice. This engagement would support deepening the understanding of climate change and its differential effects on social groups and cultures and advance efforts to address systemic inequities and promote justice. By prioritizing Indigenous perspectives and fostering the co-production of knowledge, researchers and policymakers can develop more effective and equitable climate responses that enhance well-being and resilience for all.