The Sámi in Finland and climate change
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Abstract

The Sámi are the only recognized indigenous people living inside the borders of the European Union. In addition to Finland and Sweden, the Sámi live in Norway and Russia – all these regions are warming more than three times faster than the global average. This means that the Sámi are already facing the impacts of climate change. The severity of these impacts is affected by their close relationship with nature and dependence on reindeer husbandry, which may also have notable cultural consequences (such as the applicability of traditional knowledge), a key and often neglected aspect of Loss and Damage. This case study highlights the impact of climate change on Sámi in Finland.