SUSTAINABILITY: ENVIRONMENT
Recognising the vital role of Indigenous peoples in combating
climate change is essential for a sustainable and just future
Sonia Guajajara , minister of state for Indigenous peoples, Brazil
T he global fight against climate change has reached a critical juncture. Extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and wildfires, are becoming increasingly frequent, affecting ecosystems and human communities alike. Indigenous peoples are at the heart of this battle. For millennia, we have been the stewards of some of the world’s most vital ecosystems, including rainforests, grasslands and wetlands. We are 5% of the global population, but we protect 82% of the planetary biodiversity. Our connection to the land, combined with traditional knowledge passed down through generations, positions us as essential guardians of a sustainable planet. OUR ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION Indigenous communities perceive all beings – living or spiritual, human or non-human – as partners with whom we can establish alliances or interdependencies. Every creature has its role in a greater cosmic order, and thus humans have a responsibility to their surroundings. This world-view stands in stark contrast to modern industrial models that often treat non-humans as resources to be exploited. Indigenous territories in the Brazilian Amazon, for example, act as crucial buffers against deforestation and biodiversity loss. Protecting these areas preserves ecosystems that both store carbon and sustain local communities with food, water and medicine. When Indigenous communities have the institutional and material means to resist the violence of Western and
Empowering Indigenous guardians
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