New Zealand: 2a. Our Shared Problem

Oct 2, 2017 by NZ AGGS

What are the most relevant actions/targets proposed in SDG#13? And how do SDG #13 targets respond to the challenges created by the effects of climate change in water in both Indigenous and non-indigenous communities?

Developed countries donating to developing countries to help them out, such as rising sea levels in Fiji have prompted developed countries to send aid. For example, in October 2015, the village received a floodgate funded by US aid. It is the first of its kind in Fiji, using 4 valves which lets water flow out of the village during periods of heavy rainfall while stopping water from coming in. Flooding caused by cyclones or wave surges creates a range of effects. Pools of salt water settle where food crops used to be. Concrete and wooden support beams on houses are eroding and crumbling fast. Waterlogged land increases mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Biu Naitasi, Daku’s village headman says although "water is still increasing … we can see the sea levels still rising", "you can't stop climate change, but we can do something to reduce it."

Using disaster risk reduction strategies will also be important as there are concerns about extreme storms in Alaska, where changes in weather that has occurred over the last decade has caused a lot of destruction of the nature that was around them. Ice starts to melt due to climate change, climate change starts to lower the numbers of walruses because their natural habitat is the icy pillars in the water. Walruses are a food source for the Yupik people, so less walruses means a food shortage. After living in their native land for many centuries, for the sake of their future generations they may now need to move.

Also, plans for how to mitigate climate change are needed. Indigenous peoples in Brazil are calling for tangible, urgent action on climate change (“Think from the heart and the head.”). In their country, and increase in rain and changes in weather patterns of the sun and the rain have caused crops to be damp. This means that deforestation occurs in order to grow other crops like soya and sugarcane, which means that trees are burnt, including poisonous ones, which makes indigenous people, who live nearby, sick.

The consequences of climate change impact people in different ways. Most non-indigenous people live in industrialised, developed nations and are usually the culprits of climate change, whereas indigenous people are affected in an entirely different manner. Non-indigenous people are also affected by climate change in the same way their countries are affected overall e.g. higher temperatures, extreme weather (e.g recent hurricane in Texas for example). Many indigenous communities depend on nature as their source of food and shelter, and it is also a major component of their ideals and beliefs. Their need to rely on the non-indigenous to aid their country may create conflicts on how to correctly respond to the effects of climate change (such as rising sea levels, melting ice etc.) and can compromise their values.

• What other areas do you think should be taken into account?

13.1 Disaster resilience

• Very important, but should also take into account not just hazards and disasters but how to adapt to overall, slower or not as drastic changes

13.2 Government policies

• Need government involvement to take action

13.3 Education and awareness

• People should also take action - not just raise awareness but also know what to do and be empowered to do it
• Different social structures should make it easier for people to take action

13.A Climate Aid for developing countries

• This is important!
• But also, proportionate actions should be required from developed countries in relation to the amount of resources they have

13. B Targeting less powerful countries and helping marginalised people within those countries to take action

• What about those marginalised in developed countries? Need to target them as well
• Refugees, where do they fit in?
• What about developed countries’ responsibility to take action in their own countries?

We are concerned that there isn’t any target specifically relating to indigenous people. Also, while it is good to have a focus on developing nations so that they aren’t adversely affected by climate change and so that they are able to take action, developed countries have a responsibility to take action even more, because they have the resources to do so.

• What elements would you incorporate if you had to build an action/target that addressed water, Indigenous peoples, and non-indigenous people. Provide a brief rationale that justifies each element.

All people should have access to clean water and that access shouldn’t compromise others’.

• Indigenous peoples’ should have their customary rights to water including engaging with cultural beliefs and values
• Advice and help in terms of sustainable action around water should be decolonised i.e. take into account indigenous ownership and values
• Developed countries should assist developing countries to access clean water (infrastructure for proper harvesting of water) 

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