Climate change: ‘Our culture is being lost’ - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

Summary

This podcast explores how climate change is eroding cultural traditions worldwide. From the vanishing marshes in Iraq affecting the Marsh Arabs’ way of life to the melting ice caps in Greenland threatening Inuit practices, climate change is deeply impacting local cultures. The discussion highlights how people are working to preserve their heritage, such as educating youth on the importance of cultural traditions and creating national parks. Additionally, the global influence of modernization and media poses a threat to indigenous practices, as younger generations increasingly adopt outside cultures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Climate change is eroding cultural traditions worldwide, impacting communities that rely heavily on nature, such as the Marsh Arabs in Iraq and the Inuit in Greenland.
• 😀 The Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq are facing a severe water shortage, leading to the disappearance of floating islands and the loss of buffalo farming, which is crucial to their cultural identity.
• 😀 The drying up of Iraq's marshes is forcing traditional fishermen and farmers to emigrate, threatening their entire way of life and transforming their city into a potential ghost town.
• 😀 Rising sea levels and changing temperatures in Greenland are affecting traditional practices like hunting and dog sledding, as well as the Inuit's connection to the land.
• 😀 The disappearance of ice highways in Greenland is endangering remote villages' access to towns for trade and hunting, further destabilizing the community's economy.
• 😀 For many cultures, nature and the environment are integral to their identity, as seen with Greenlandic traditions and the Marsh Arabs' reliance on the marshland ecosystem.
• 😀 The youth of these communities are encouraged to preserve their cultural heritage through education, even as they face displacement due to climate change.
• 😀 The Greenlandic people see their land as central to their identity, and the loss of access to nature is equated with losing a part of themselves and their ancestral connections.
• 😀 Globalization and the spread of Western culture (e.g., through platforms like Netflix and TikTok) are also influencing young people to abandon their traditional customs in favor of more mainstream identities.
• 😀 UNESCO is actively working to preserve intangible cultural heritage by identifying at-risk traditions and implementing educational programs, such as teaching younger generations how to play traditional instruments like the bandoneon in Uruguay and Argentina.

Q & A

What role does nature play in the Greenlandic and Marsh Arab cultures?

In both cultures, nature is central to their way of life. For the Greenlandic people, their traditions, morals, and identity are closely tied to the land, especially the ice and the animals that inhabit it. Similarly, the Marsh Arabs of Iraq depend on the marshes for water, resources, and their buffalo herding practices, which are deeply connected to their cultural identity.

How is climate change affecting the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq?

Climate change, particularly the ongoing droughts since 2022, is severely impacting the Marsh Arabs. The drying up of the marshes is disrupting the buffalo herding tradition, as the buffalo rely on fresh water from the marshes. With water salinity increasing, the buffalo cannot drink from the marshes, leading to the emigration of families from the area and the potential loss of their traditional lifestyle.

What is the significance of the marshes to the Marsh Arabs?

The marshes are integral to the Marsh Arabs' way of life, providing water, food, and a habitat for buffaloes, which are central to their economy and cultural practices. The marshes also host unique features, such as floating islands made of reeds and mud, which have been part of their heritage for generations. The loss of these marshes would mean the end of their traditional lifestyle and possibly their very identity.

How are young people from the Marsh Arabs and Greenlandic communities trying to preserve their cultural heritage in the face of climate change?

Both young people in the Marsh Arab and Greenlandic communities are focusing on education and advocacy. Muntadhar Abdul Ali from Iraq is encouraging people to study the history and traditions of the marshes, even pushing for the creation of a national park to protect the area. Maya Natuk from Greenland advocates for awareness of her culture and encourages pride in Greenlandic identity, despite the challenges posed by climate change.

What traditional practice is at risk for the Inuit people in Greenland due to warming temperatures?

The Inuit people in Greenland rely heavily on ice highways and dog sledding for transportation and hunting, but rising temperatures are causing the ice to melt, making these traditional practices increasingly difficult or even impossible. Additionally, warmer weather is leading to diseases that are affecting the dog population, further disrupting traditional ways of life.

How has globalization contributed to the erosion of cultural traditions, as mentioned in the transcript?

Globalization, through platforms like Netflix and TikTok, has introduced people to other cultures and lifestyles, often leading them to abandon their own traditional practices in favor of more widespread global trends. This has been particularly noticeable in younger generations, who are less interested in preserving their heritage and more inclined toward adopting international cultural norms.

What specific challenges are facing the Inuit communities in Greenland due to climate change?

Inuit communities in Greenland are facing the loss of their traditional ways of life due to the rapid melting of ice, which is vital for their hunting and transportation methods. The changing environment also disrupts the availability of resources like seals and caribou, which are essential for their food and cultural practices.

What is the cultural importance of the buffalo milk and gaimar cream for the Marsh Arabs?

Buffalo milk is an essential part of the Marsh Arabs' diet, particularly in the form of gaimar, a type of cream that is a traditional delicacy eaten with honey. It is not only a staple food but also a cultural symbol of their connection to the marshes and their traditional way of life. The declining availability of buffalo milk due to water shortages threatens this vital aspect of their culture.

How has the drought since 2022 affected the population of the Marsh Arabs in Iraq?

The ongoing drought has significantly reduced the number of families living in the marshes, from over 130 families to just around 30. As the marshes dry up, people are being forced to emigrate, and traditional livelihoods based on fishing, buffalo herding, and farming are increasingly unsustainable.

What efforts are being made to preserve the bandoneon instrument in Uruguay and Argentina?

In Uruguay and Argentina, the bandoneon, a key instrument in the tango tradition, is at risk of disappearing due to an aging population of players and a lack of younger people learning the instrument. To combat this, UNESCO has set up free classes for young people to learn how to play the bandoneon and its associated tango dance, helping to preserve this cultural practice for future generations.