February 14, 2024
New Voices, Old Solutions
A reflection on the voice of indigenous cultures in decision-making about the climate crisis.
During the last COP in December of last year, I read an article that sparked a particular interest because of its connection to the ideas we are building and working on at Munkun. The article is titled Indigenous Voices at COP28. At a time when ideas about regenerating the planet, living in harmony with nature, and not separating human activity from that of the rest of our ecosystems seem more relevant than ever, it’s easy to think that not all communities cross that boundary. Many indigenous peoples have been living within the planet’s limits for centuries. However, they often suffer more than anyone else from the consequences of industrial society’s development, and their voices generally go unheard.
Our project is inspired by indigenous culture. As we mentioned in the launch of this blog, the word munkun is a Mapudungun term—the language spoken by the Mapuche, an indigenous people of South America—and it means to propagate everywhere. Part of our mission is to seek out inspiring and lesser-known voices and stories. The knowledge these communities possess, though not acquired through scientific methods, captivates many scientists who prove there is much to learn.
I extract some passages from the article and comment:
The basis of our food, drawn from the Earth, is dwindling, affecting our ability to grow and produce nutritious food, which deteriorates our overall health. This transformation not only affects humans but also extends to the entire planet, influencing aspects ranging from health to education and society. Indigenous communities have solutions, and it is imperative to identify and implement them.
–Briseida Iglesias López de Guerrero, Indigenous leader from Panama
When you live in wealthy societies, it’s rare to hear such messages. Typically, the only solutions proposed for environmental challenges are technological ones. Faith that technological solutions will eventually arrive is one of the factors preventing the implementation or enhancement of many actions we could take right now. Moreover, this generates a destructive cycle. For instance, consider the following sequence:
→ We know an activity causes significant pollution,
→ Projects are funded to reduce the negative impact of that activity once implemented,
→ Wealthy countries adopt restrictions on the new activity, maintaining the prior level of pollution, and the older technology is displaced or sold to poorer countries.
Rather than eliminating the environmental impact of an activity, this results in a significant increase in total impact. This sequence occurs in many of the most polluting sectors today, such as construction, heavy industry, and transportation.
I propose a solution, one that indigenous peoples have identified. The key lies in personal responsibility. By changing our internal ecology, examining our thoughts, and understanding the consequences of our actions, we can contribute to the solution. Each person represents a link in the universe, similar to how components of the human body symbolize elements of nature. By taking care of ourselves, we contribute to the care of Mother Earth and the mitigation of climate change.
Everything on the planet is connected. The consequences of people’s actions affect everything else. To take responsibility for these actions, we must be able to reflect individually and collectively.
Secondly, I propose it is time to plant the healing tree along the riverbank. It is time to act, not just talk about technology. Even with the support of investors and capitalists, we need human knowledge about fighting climate change to educate children and communities on how to plant trees along the riverbanks.
Exchanging seeds of knowledge and planting trees to heal the planet are two images that clearly summarize the path ahead.
The healing tree grows slowly, with results that are not immediately visible. We will not solve anything in two years or even the next year. By giving life to a tree, we can change our way of life. It is crucial to fight climate change ourselves and not rely solely on the government. We are the creators of our own universe, and thus, we must take care of ourselves.
We are not secondary actors in a fixed stage but protagonists of a moldable creation. For a long time, we have invented many excuses while studying our role. If we want the play to continue, we need to elevate our commitment, take care of ourselves, and care for the environment that sustains us.