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The planet is in trouble and it’s time to call in the experts: the indigenous people who have been living in harmony with nature for centuries. They have the knowledge and the wisdom to help us turn the tide and save the planet.
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The state of the planet
The planet is in a state of crisis. The Amazon is on fire. The ice caps are melting. The oceans are polluted. And, the list goes on. It’s no secret that the planet is in trouble. But, what many people don’t know is that there are people who have been living in harmony with the planet for centuries. These are the Indigenous people. The people who have the knowledge and wisdom to save the planet.
The effects of climate change
The effects of climate change are far-reaching and span the globe. From droughts and floods to extinction of plant and animal species, climate change is a threat to the planet that is happening right now.
Indigenous peoples have long been on the frontlines of climate change, witnessing its effects firsthand in their communities. They are also some of the most vulnerable to its impacts, due to their reliance on natural resources for their livelihoods.
As the world confronts this global crisis, it is important to listen to the wisdom of indigenous peoples, who have lived in harmony with the earth for millennia. They hold key knowledge about how to protect the planet and its inhabitants.
Here are some ways that climate change is affecting the planet:
-Droughts and heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense, affecting crop yields and putting stress on water resources.
-Floods are also becoming more common, as heavy rains overwhelm infrastructure and cause damage to homes and businesses.
– Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires.
-Sea levels are rising due to melting ice caps and glaciers, which expansion as a result of warmer ocean temperatures. This threatens coastal communities with flooding and increased risk of storms surge.
-Ocean acidification is occurring as carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater, making it more acidic. This harms marine life, including shellfish, coral reefs, and plankton.
-Plant and animal species are struggling to adapt to changes in temperature and other conditions caused by climate change. Many are at risk of extinction if they cannot adapt quickly enough .
The loss of biodiversity
The loss of biodiversity is a global crisis. Scientists estimate that we are now losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural rate of extinction. The rate of loss is accelerating as human demands on the planet continue to grow. One million plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction, many within decades, according to a landmark report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
The report’s authors say that the rate of species loss is “unprecedented” in human history and that it is driven by human activity, including habitat destruction, deforestation, overfishing, pollution and climate change. They warn that the collapse of nature will have severe implications for human health and well-being, as we rely on nature for food, water and air quality, among other things.
The loss of biodiversity also threatens the economies of countries around the world, as natural systems provide services worth an estimated $125 trillion a year. The report calls for radical changes to the way we live and do business in order to avert disaster.
The state of indigenous knowledge
The state of indigenous knowledge is under threat. Indigenous knowledge is the traditional knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples about their lands, waters, plants, animals, ceremonies, and history. It is often passed down through generations by Elders.
The loss of traditional knowledge
Indigenous people have an intimate knowledge of their local environment and have passed this knowledge down through generations. However, this traditional knowledge is under threat.
The loss of traditional knowledge is a serious problem because it results in the loss of valuable information about the environment. Indigenous people are the custodians of this knowledge and without it, we would be much poorer.
There are many reasons why traditional knowledge is being lost. One reason is that indigenous people are increasingly moving to urban areas, where they no longer have access to their traditional lands and resources. This results in a loss of contact with their culture and traditions. Additionally, the younger generation is often not taught traditional knowledge by their elders, as they are seen as being too busy with modern life.
Another reason for the loss of traditional knowledge is the increasing encroachment of western culture on indigenous communities. This can lead to a loss of confidence in traditional ways and a turn towards more “modern” ways of doing things. Additionally, the global market economy has often led to the explotation of indigenous peoples and their resources, without any regard for their culture or heritage.
The loss of traditional knowledge is a major problem because it represents a loss of valuable information about the environment and our place within it. It also represents a loss of cultural diversity and an erosion of our connection to the natural world. We must do what we can to protect thisknowledge before it is lost forever.
The loss of traditional ecological knowledge
The loss of traditional ecological knowledge is a global phenomenon with far-reaching consequences. It is happening all over the world as Indigenous peoples lose their connection to the land and their traditional ways of life. This loss of knowledge is often caused by factors such as forced assimilation, relocation, and environmental degradation.
The loss of traditional ecological knowledge has serious implications for the environment and for our ability to manage it effectively. This knowledge is essential for understanding and managing the world’s ecosystems. It is also an important source of information for scientific research.
Indigenous peoples have a special relationship with the land and an intimate knowledge of its plants and animals. They have passed this knowledge down through generations, using it to sustain themselves and their communities. However, this knowledge is now disappearing at an alarming rate.
The loss of traditional ecological knowledge is a tragedy that must be stopped. We must work together to protect this valuable resource before it is lost forever.
The need for action
The world is in a state of emergency. The climate crisis is the biggest threat to humanity and the natural world that we have ever faced. We are facing an existential threat and we need to take urgent action. Indigenous peoples have been custodians of the earth for millennia and they have a lot to teach us about how to live in harmony with the natural world. We need to listen to their wisdom and learn from their example.
The Paris Agreement
In December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) decided to adopt the Paris Agreement, which is an agreement within the UNFCCC dealing with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance starting in the year 2020. The Paris Agreement’s long-term goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels; and to limit the increase to 1.5 °C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate change. In order to achieve this long-term goal, there are ambitious efforts that need to be put in place by all Parties to reduce emissions.
The Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were developed as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The SDGs build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and take into account the lessons learned from their implementation over the last 15 years.
The goals are interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve addressing issues more commonly associated with another.
The SDGs work in complement with each other to balance different facets of development; for example, goal 2 on zero hunger addresses food security but also ends up impacting maternal health under goal 3 or climate change under goal 13.
The role of indigenous knowledge
In this rapidly industrializing world, it is important to remember the value of indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge is the know-how, skills, and technologies that are developed and passed down within a community. It is a holistic way of looking at the world that takes into account the spiritual, physical, and emotional dimensions of reality. Indigenous knowledge can teach us how to live in harmony with the natural world and how to take care of the planet we call home.
The benefits of indigenous knowledge
Indigenous knowledge refers to the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples. It includes knowledge about the natural world, plants and animals, weather and climate, astronomy, and more. Indigenous peoples have passed this knowledge down through generations, often through oral traditions.
Today, there is a growing recognition of the value of indigenous knowledge. It can help us to solve environmental problems, develop more sustainable ways of living, and improve our understanding of the world around us. Indigenous peoples are increasingly seen as custodians of this valuable knowledge, and there is a growing movement to protect and promote it.
The challenges of indigenous knowledge
Many of the issues and challenges facing indigenous knowledge today are rooted in colonialism. For centuries, Westerners have devalued and dismissed indigenous knowledge in favor of Western science, often to the detriment of both indigenous people and the environment. The process of colonization not only removed indigenous people from their land but also disrupted their relationship with the natural world. In many cases, indigenous knowledge was forcibly replaced with Western systems that did not always reflect the needs or values of local communities.
As a result, indigenous knowledge is often seen as inferior to Western science, and marginalized communities may be reluctant to share it. There is also a lack of understanding about how indigenous knowledge can be used in conjunction with Western science to address global challenges like climate change.
Indigenous people are working to reclaim their traditional knowledge and restore their relationship with the natural world. However, these efforts are often hindered by a lack of resources and support from the wider community. It is crucial that we work together to protect and promote indigenous knowledge so that future generations can benefit from its wisdom.
The way forward
The need for collaboration
The way forward for Indigenous peoples is through collaboration, said David Suzuki at a recent event. “There’s this notion that Western science is the only way, and it’s just not true,” he told an audience at the University of Toronto.
“We have to learn from each other. We have to pull together all this knowledge if we’re going to solve the problems that we face.”
Suzuki was in Toronto to receive an honorary degree and deliver a lecture on how Indigenous knowledge can help us address the climate crisis. He spoke about the importance of heeding the warnings of Indigenous peoples about the dangers of extractive industries, and of working together to find solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
“We need to decolonize our thinking,” he said. “We need to realize that the world is saved by many hands, not by one.”
The need for capacity building
In order for Indigenous peoples to effectively address the climate crisis, they need resources and capacity. The first step is to ensure that Indigenous peoples have secure land rights. According to the United Nations, “Indigenous peoples’ territories cover more than one-fifth of the Earth’s surface and are home to some 370 million people, or around 5 percent of the world’s population. However, an estimated 37 percent of Indigenous lands are currently under some form of threat.”
While the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was a major step forward in recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples, much work remains to be done to fully implement these rights. In addition, many countries do not yet have laws or policies that protect the rights of Indigenous peoples to their traditional lands and resources.
Thus, capacity building is critical to ensuring that Indigenous peoples have the resources they need to address the climate crisis. This includes providing financial and technical support for activities such as land mapping and management, climate change adaptation and mitigation planning, and monitoring and reporting on environmental conditions. It also includes supporting the development of traditional knowledge systems and practices that can help communities adapt to a changing climate.
