Assessing the Early Holocene Environment of Northwestern Guyana: An Isotopic Analysis of Human and Faunal Remains

This study used stable carbon δ13C and oxygen δ18O isotope compositions data to assess the extent to which diet breadths of northwestern Guyana changed during the Holocene. We analyzed human bone and enamel remains from seven shell mound sites dating between 7500 and 2600 BP. Our analyses demonstrate some degree of constancy in the availability of C3 plants during the past several thousand years—though we note an increasing reliance on such plants beginning in the Early Holocene. We also document warming intervals during the Early Holocene (Early Archaic), which appear to correlate with dry periods known elsewhere in the central Amazon during this period

Climate-smart agriculture investment portfolios in Guyana: a way forward

Guyana has densely populated coastal regions and relatively inaccessible Hinterland and is highly vulnerable to climate change and climate variability. The agriculture sector requires a transformation towards climate-resilient agriculture systems. In order to respond to this priority, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of Guyana and local partners, joined efforts to develop and implement a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) financed project, ‘Development of a Framework for Prioritizing Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)’. Interventions were focused on two regions in Guyana - Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

Archaeology, Indigenous and Local Knowledge, and Climate Change in the Caribbean: Select Case Studies among the Kalinago, Macushi and Maroon communities in the Windward Islands and the Guianas.

Within the geographic space known as the Caribbean, vulnerability to and because of climate-induced hazards is commonplace. Contributing to this are the various geophysical features and historical land use issues which define the region, some of which have contributed to how traditional communities are both impacted by and respond to the changing climate. These hazards are experienced through rising sea levels, coastal inundation and storm surges, and increasingly severe and erratic weather events, impacting, for example, wet and dry Archaeology, Indigenous and Local Knowledge, and Climate Change in the Caribbean: Select Case Studies among the Kalinago, Macushi and Maroon communities in the Windward Islands and the Guianas. November 2023 / Archaeology and the Publics 79 seasons, water and food security, and infrastructure. Although the region's vulnerability has increased, climatic challenges are not a 21st century phenomena. Its first inhabitants several millennia ago experienced climate-induced and other natural hazards, requiring ongoing adaptation to constantly changing environments. Our traditional communities have had long relationships with their natural environment and so play a critical role in studying this human environment dynamic through a long-term perspective. Not only are they exposed to these hazards contributing to vulnerability at the community level, but their heritage is also exposed. Through their traditional knowledge and archaeological data from their ancient villages, knowledge is passed down today as a guide for climate action and providing essential indicators for past and future resilience. This paper examines how the changing climate intersects with archaeology, Indigenous and local knowledge in relation to ongoing and future climate action and narratives in the Caribbean. This is approached through a focus on case studies among the Kalinago of Dominica and Saint Vincent, the Macushi from Guyana, and Maroon communities from Suriname, highlighting how traditional knowledge and archaeological research can provide valuable data concerning past climate adaptation and a better understanding of Indigenous and local responses. This paper emanates from a knowledge-exchange event held in Aruba in November 2022, which brought together communities, researchers, and students to discuss the role that archaeology and traditional knowledge can play in the region’s response to the changing climate.We acknowledge the contribution of the many voices from local and Indigenous communities that have edified this research, and the important feedback provided by Professor Corinne Hofman. This paper emanates from discussions at the workshop on Traditional Knowledge Solutions for Present and Future Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean, which was supported by the Island(er)s at the Helm and CaribTRAILS projects (2019 – 2026) through funding received from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, and the National Archaeological Museum of Arub

Climate-smart agriculture investment portfolios in Guyana: a way forward (Synthesis)

Guyana is highly exposed to climate extremes with significant flooding risk for coastal regions, and more frequent drought events affecting subsistence agricultural activities in the hinterlands. Future climate scenarios show an increase in climate extremes. The agriculture sector requires a transformation toward climate-resilient agriculture systems. Gender and social inclusion are of great significance for the successful transformation to climate-resilient farming in Guyana. For Guyana’s agriculture to become more resilient against climate shocks, the government is focusing on improved water management for drainage and irrigation, creating decentralized infrastructure and services for farmers, and developing improved and innovative market mechanisms to improve farm income and livelihood diversification for smallholders. A way forward to resilience is to design Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Investment Portfolios. CSA incorporates resilience through adaptation and mitigation measures while ensuring sustainable production and increased farm income