CILT/BRAZIL-BRASILIA-3B-TEACHER:Cristina Lourenço

Environment   Oct 1, 2017 by Kássia Leandra Mendes de Oliveira

How is this representation of climate change similar to the other things you’ve read/viewed? How is different?

I had already read a bit about how climate change affects the agriculture of indigenous peoples as well as their orientation. It is also similar about how CO2 emissions, harms us and how it is unbalancing nature. Basically, the video explains in a clear and direct way everything I've been studying during this project. I was able to notice few differences, but the struggle, and the acquisition of rights of the indigenous peoples in these issues was something that I did not know before, and also the long time (20 years!) That took time to achieve this.

Where do you see the influence of Indigenous peoples in this video? Where is it missing?

I could see the influence of the natives in the fact that people came to see in this simple lifestyle that they lead, treating nature with respect and returning everything to it that is taken away, an example to be followed, since it does not harm environment. For a long time they were ignored because they were a minority, but as technological and industrial advances came to make a great impact and warm the Earth, this culture of understanding the Earth as a part of itself has become something we must learn.

In my opinion, what is missing and what we should learn from the Indians is to unite us, just as they are in their community. What affects one, affects everyone, so they work together to get through. Unfortunately I observe in the society in which we live today, that the problem of climate change is ignored by many people. Communities, countries, isolate themselves in their own problems, and fail to take into account that they share the same planet, which is something that will affect everyone , and only with a joint effort can this be solved.

What solutions to climate change does this video propose?

It proposes reducing CO 2 by industrialized countries, and reducing forest destruction through an agreement between countries, which is called REED +. This will remove carbon dioxide from the air, and prevent it from being further created. It also aims to bring back plants and animals and develop forests.

Do you agree with the representation of Indigenous peoples and climate change action in the video? Why or why not?

I totally agree. It is necessary to listen to the indigenous people, to learn from them and also to work together. This video conveyed the reality in which they live, regarding climate change that they can experience every day because of their direct contact with nature .

In terms of actions, I also found them exceptional. The fact that industrialized countries are responsible for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide they emit, should have been done a long time ago. Development should be accompanied by environmental responsibility, and the natural wealth of the planet earth is everyone's, regardless of which country they are in. So when one forest is destroyed, even on another continent, it is our responsibility. Because this is our planet, and we must all take care of it. When we talk about the problem of climate change, no country barriers should be created, or social differences, because this affects all human beings.

What are the opportunities and challenges in taking seriously Indigenous perspectives of climate change?

Well, the indigenous have a way of life extremely related to nature. They do not pollute, do not degrade, do not have cars, nor do they depend on industrialized products, which are important factors to be taken into account, both for the challenges and opportunities.We should undoubtedly learn to take care of natural resources, and to restore all that we take back. This would bring back the balance that nature needs. This would avoid deforestation, the waste of water, and would also bring us the necessary consciousness to turn around solve these problems, and also prevent them from happening again.

The challenges we face are that we, as non-indigenous, become dependent on everything that was mentioned above. We need electricity, cars, industrialized products, livestock and agronomy. Our society has a lot to do in habit changes issues.The indigenous are in direct contact with nature, it is part of their day-to-day life, just as industrialization is part of ours. The technological developments of non-Indians have become dependent on the emission of CO2, and environmental degradation.These challenges in my opinion, can be solved if we learn to balance our consumption, use our natural resources with awareness and put the environment as a priority, alongside other problems.

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