The Key to a Sustainable Future that Few are Talking About

By Charlotte Xu

***Disclaimer: I do not position myself as an expert in this field; these are my personal understandings based on the research that I have done and the things that I have observed. I’m still making an effort to educate myself, and it would be interesting to hear an alternative perspective if there are any disagreements. Also, this is a simplified depiction of these tribes, please do further research if this is something you’d like to look into.

The Indigenous, affected the most by climate change, renewable energy projects, and habitat displacement. ----- Photo by Wichai Juntavaro

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In order to create a sustainable future, experts must work together to develop a system that not only respects the environment we live in but also maximizes the benefits we obtain from it.

Indigenous tribes, spanning over 90 countries and consisting of over 467 million people, have been living in this manner for centuries. As a brief introduction to these communities, they are the earliest known inhabitants of a specific region; typically “...inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment” (UN). The United Nations declares these tribes to be essential assets to conversations about sustainability and climate change, though their inclusion in decision-making doesn’t seem to have struck up much of a conversation elsewhere in large organizations or the media.

Before discussing ways in which we can fight the climate crisis, it is important to acknowledge the fact that climate change will not be mediated overnight, and that it is necessary to adapt to the effects while simultaneously fighting against it. Though indigenous tribes preserve 80% of the world’s biodiversity, their dependence on the natural world, lack of basic rights, and history of land exploitation mean that they are the most vulnerable to these effects. Therefore, disregarding all assets we as a society may gain from their knowledge, it can be argued that they have the right to a voice in decision-making concerning any issues surrounding climate change because they are the first to face the consequences.

In fact, indigenous tribes have already begun to feel the effects. Melting glaciers and avalanches pose threats to those who live in colder climates and rely primarily on an agriculture-based lifestyle. Moreover, renewable energy fertile ground to harness biofuels and hydroelectric power plants, displacing over 10,000 indigenous people and pushing them to survive on small plots of land.

Given those circumstances, with their expansive knowledge of the environment, tribes have been able to develop strategies to withstand these harsh environments. “These time-tested techniques, like terracing that stops soil erosion or floating gardens that make use of flooded fields, mean that they are well-suited for the increasingly intense weather events and temperature changes brought on by climate change” (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). By consulting with these tribes, not only will we be able to develop similar solutions for when effects of climate change become more prominent, but we will be able to do so in a way that respects the land of the indigenous.

Moreover, these communities have been able to live in harmony with the environment for centuries, meaning that they harbor a sea of knowledge concerning the environment, beyond anything a six-week scientific study could offer. They’ve observed and lived through all the nuances of nature, meaning that they can come up with efficient solutions because they know what works and what doesn’t, but more importantly, what will last. They know how to live with nature, meaning they are able to maintain an interdependent relationship with nature that respects and lets the environment around them thrive while reaping maximum benefits from it.

While their way of living may not be the most suitable for a more modern society, their complex knowledge of the planet can be paired with the minds of engineers, climatologists, or other experts to develop efficient strategies and technology that will sustain for centuries. By respecting and working together with indigenous communities, we can create a more sustainable future and they can continue to preserve their culture and the land we all depend on.