In response to changes already apparent by 2010, the Swinomish tribe in northwest Washington enacted a plan to address climate change in their area and protect the “first foods,” like clams, oysters, elk, and salmon, that play a foundational role in their diet and culture. In the decade since they began to build resilience to other climate impacts, like increased flooding, ocean acidification, rising water temperatures, and worsening storms, an additional 50 tribes have followed in the Swinomish tribe’s footsteps, creating and enacting their own climate plans. “They were way ahead of the curve”, Meade Krosby, a senior scientist with the Climate Impacts Group said, “and that really shouldn’t be surprising, because the tribes have shown tremendous leadership in climate adaptation and mitigation.” Nikki Cooley, co-manager of the Tribes and Climate Change Program for the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals explained that “there’s that big push to address climate change because we’re feeling the effects more so than other places. We’ve always been taught and are still being told we have to preserve for the future generations.” (Washington Post)