The Importance of Including Indigenous Communities in Climate Action
Indigenous communities have been at the forefront of creating climate-conscious plans. Learn how they are the ultimate source in preventing the degradation of our natural resources.
Indigenous communities create actionable plans to help our earth
"America can't even think past four years," says Don Sampson, head of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), "It's a short-sighted country."
No government can begin to disagree with his statement. Indigenous communities actively think of future generations when planning the use of resources. Studies show that deforestation rates in the Amazon are two to three times lower in lands held by indigenous communities.
Colonized peoples, such as the Huaorani, Sápara, and Sarayaku Kichwa, have a direct role in combating climate change. Not only have they actively resisted the deforestation or occupation of their land they take responsibility for protecting the forests. The prioritization of their environment has created decision-making power within their community, which translates to global actions that help save the planet.
Tribes and indigenous groups petitioned the U.S. Department of the Interior to modernize hard rock mining. This petition aimed to safeguard lands in the West and Alaska that hold sacred lands, resources, wildlife habitats, and water resources.
How is the UN considering indigenous peoples in their climate change plan?
Indigenous peoples need to be viewed as agents and stewards of environmental conservation. Representatives of indigenous peoples actively seek a role in combating climate change. There are many examples of their participation in international environmental conferences, instances of activism, and political engagement. These representatives have been lobbying for inclusion in climate change negotiations and decision-making power at the United Nations.
Here are times that Indigenous peoples have been recognized as climate change stewards:
2017 Canada government-funded Indigenous Guardians program recognized that First Nations communities should be recognized as stewards of the land.
UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's reports acknowledged that adaptation efforts benefit from local and indigenous knowledge. "Indigenous peoples are by far the most effective stewards of biodiversity."
2021 The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples celebrated today is a timely reminder of indigenous peoples' crucial contribution to combating climate change and its impacts. "Indigenous peoples must be part of the solution to climate change. This is because they have the traditional knowledge of their ancestors. The important value of that knowledge simply cannot — and must not — be understated," said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa.
2015 Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) at the UN Climate Change Conference. Enhancing their participation in climate change policies and Respecting the rights of indigenous peoples are seen as critical to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Ways to prioritize indigenous populations
We need more indigenous representation in legislative actions against climate change.
The lack of emphasis on prioritizing indigenous voices in the sustainability and eco movements leaves a considerable gap in meshing public activism with their guidance.
The differentiation between the interaction of indigenous people and other populations is the idea that the land and resources are segregated. That indigenous land is 'their' land, which is why they want to protect it. The issue that stands is the public and government's unwillingness to identify themselves with the environment we live in and with the mission and values of indigenous communities.
Sustainability movements and eco-friendly product awareness fall on the consumer, yet these movements do not focus on protecting the earth. Indigenous people know they are not separate from the natural world; they have generations of knowledge on eco-consciousness, consideration, and ways to protect it. So where is the disconnect?
For example, in 2019, the Karuk tribe released its plan for climate adaptation that featured a recommendation to use prescribed burning to clear underbrush and the forest floor to reduce the spread of wildfire burns. Unfortunately, since 2019, California has faced devastating fires that have burned more than 363,939 acres in 2022.
Indigenous knowledge is the key to preventing environmental degradation and the abuse of natural resources.
Here are some ways to prioritize indigenous voices:
Prioritize platforms and associations that support indigenous groups
Involve yourself with support groups that uphold indigenous values
Follow indigenous influencers such as Txai Suruí. Click here for more information.
Support or donate to indigenous groups
Engage with issues that affect indigenous populations
Actively consider how specific legislations and policies affect indigenous groups
Respect indigenous cultures and values
Key Takeaways
Colonized peoples, such as the Huaorani, Sápara, and Sarayaku Kichwa, have a direct role in combating climate change. Not only have they actively resisted the deforestation or occupation of their land they take responsibility for protecting the forests. The prioritization of their environment has created decision-making power within their community, which translates to global actions that help save the planet.
Indigenous peoples need to be viewed as agents and stewards of environmental conservation.
Representatives of indigenous peoples actively seek a role in combating climate change. There are many examples of their participation in international environmental conferences, instances of activism, and political engagement.
These representatives have been lobbying for inclusion in climate change negotiations and decision-making power at the United Nations.
The issue that stands is the public and government's unwillingness to identify themselves with the environment we live in and with the mission and values of indigenous communities. Sustainability movements and eco-friendly product awareness fall on the consumer, yet these movements do not focus on protecting the earth. Indigenous people know they are not separate from the natural world; they have generations of knowledge on eco-consciousness, consideration, and ways to protect it.
