More than 190 nations at COP15 — the United Nations biodiversity summit — have reached a historic deal to protect a third of the Earth's land and water by the end of the decade.
After two weeks of negotiations in Montreal, Canada, the agreement aims to preserve environmental diversity and ensure its benefits are used sustainably, as well as stopping people from driving species to extinction.
"The agreement also commits governments to enhancing the role of collective actions, including by Indigenous peoples and local communities," said Professor Jamie Pittock at The Australian National University.
"A major reinvestment in land care and other community-based bush regeneration groups is therefore needed."
Indigenous communities maintain a strong link to their land. They are often the first to feel the devastating effects of environmental damage and climate change.
"When our forests are damaged, there will be a massive climate crisis, species like the birds of paradise will become extinct and not just our Namblong Indigenous culture will be destroyed, but that of all peoples everywhere," Orpha Yoshua, an Indigenous Namblong woman from West Papua told Greenpeace.
There are growing calls for valuable Indigenous learnings to be integrated into climate change adaptation and education.
With extensive knowledge of local conditions passed on through generations, there is room to improve how policymakers work with Indigenous peoples to promote their lessons and share solutions to environmental issues facing our world. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasised the value of Indigenous knowledge and rights at the heart of environmental conservation this month. He pledged C$800million (US$585million) of funding over seven years for Indigenous-led projects.
He has urged other nations, specifically, China, Russia, Brazil and other large countries, to consider the same.
REALITY CHECK
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls for Indigenous knowledge to be recognised and considered to build locally appropriate climate adaptation strategies.
Indigenous peoples and local communities manage at least 24 percent of the total carbon stored above ground in the world’s tropical forests.
Many Indigenous groups have limited authority or recognition over their territories which they rely on for their daily livelihoods, including food and shelter.
Those most affected and suffering the greatest due to climate change, including Indigenous people, are the least able to participate in the decision-making process.
BIG IDEAS
This quote is attributable to Linda Payi Ford, Charles Darwin University, Veronica Matthews, Sydney University, Sotiris Vardoulakis, Australian National University: "Climate change has a disproportionate impact on our mob ... In the centre of Australia, extreme heat and prolonged heat waves highlight the inadequate housing that exists in this region. Families can’t adequately shelter from heat that regularly passes 35 degrees."
This quote is attributable to Allan Rarai and Meg Parsons, Auckland University: "Indigenous knowledge is a critical resource to be integrated with scientific knowledge to improve our understanding of how ecosystems function, environmental health and the impacts of climate change."
This quote is attributable to Su-Hie Ting, Gabriel Tonga Noweg, and Yvonne Michelle Campbell, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak: "Agriculture is a significant contributor to anthropogenic global warming and reducing agricultural emissions — largely methane and nitrous oxide — could play a significant role in climate change mitigation."
PERSPECTIVES
The key to future climate adaptation is to tap past knowledge Arindam Roy, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Climate-resilient agricultural knowledge has always been there among Indigenous groups, we just need to learn from them.
Sustainability in action: the Karen peoples' farming system Prasert Trakansuphakon, Pgakenyaw Association for Sustainable Development By having a seven to ten-year farming system, the Karen people in Thailand show how to create a sustainable environment and help the climate.
What we can learn from the Semai people to protect against climate change Cyren Wong Zhi Hoong, Monash University Malaysia In Malaysia, the Indigenous concept of badi is not superstition or taboo, it’s about respecting the land, environment and wildlife to avoid negative impacts.
One size does not fit all in Pacific climate adaptation Allan Rarai and Meg Parsons, Auckland University Indigenous knowledge has helped guide Pacific Islanders’ resilience and adaptation to changing climates for centuries, but it is still often overlooked. Connection to country has role in climate adaptation Linda Payi Ford, Charles Darwin University, Veronica Matthews, Sydney University, Sotiris Vardoulakis, Australian National University. Building resilience by sharing Indigenous knowledge on climate change strategies can benefit all Australians.
Indigenous farming knowledge is science, not superstition Su-Hie Ting, Gabriel Tonga Noweg, and Yvonne Michelle Campbell, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak The Indigenous people's respect for the land and their traditional agricultural practices can teach us to adapt to extreme weather conditions.
Old tribal law can protect sealife at risk from climate change Yanti Lewerissa, D. J. A. Hehanussa, Rony. J. Siwabessy, Eliza Kissya, Universitas Pattimura A Moluccan tribal tradition helps protect marine resources under threat from climate change.
Why we need to wake up the snake Anne Poelina, Nulungu Institute Research University of Notre Dame University, Broome The solution is before us: integrating Western and Indigenous law creates a path to a better future.
Indigenous lore and the fire knowledge we ignore Christine Eriksen, ETH Zurich As long as fire strategy prioritises suppression, the valuable knowledge of Indigenous people will continue to be sidelined. Leaving a lasting ocean legacy Robert Richmond, University of Hawaii Island communities have developed some of the most effective practices to support the sustainable use of coastal and ocean resources, we just need to take heed.
Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.
