Language as Intangible Cultural Heritage: Living Repositories of Knowledge for Tackling Climate Change

In this article, we explore the role that languages play in addressing climate change. Beginning with a discussion on the ‘demotion’ of language in the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, we evidence the power of the oral tradition in the transmission of ecological knowledge. Following a brief exploration of the co-relation between linguistic and ecological diversity, we argue for greater recognition of the role language plays in passing on ecological knowledge, as well as its value as intangible cultural heritage in and of itself. We give some examples from the island of Ireland to evidence how crucial traditional knowledge is embedded within the Irish language about land, landscape and the environment. The final section asks whether in addressing climate change, we should focus on minority languages where speakers maintain close connections to nature. Understanding the traditional knowledge about climate, land and the environment has implications for policy changes generally and for wider international debates on climate change such as those by the United Nations’ Conference of the Parties.