New Zealand: 2b. Indigenous Responses to Climate Change

Oct 17, 2017 by NZ AGGS

Video in comparison to other research

Similarities

• The idea of returning to Earth what we have taken - which was covered by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
• Indigenous voices should be heard in conversations about decisions that the UN makes in relation to their ancestral lands, e.g. the Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples of the World to the UNFCCC COP 17.
• Indigenous peoples are very much a part of mitigating climate change by using cultural knowledge e.g. Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples of the World to the UNFCCC COP 17 and UNDRIP
• Women play a key role within the community and it’s progression as well as how indigenous women are “climate change warriors” as spoken of in Raquel Reichard about indigenous woman fight against climate change

Differences

• Other representations are quite formal, for example UNDRIP and the Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples of the World to the UNFCCC COP 17. The simplistic representation of climate change in the video through the use of animation easily educates viewers on the causes and effects of climate change, in contrast to papers, graph s etc., with more difficult words and layout. This will be more appealing to a younger audience.
• Had an indigenous voice and perspective rather than saying “indigenous people should have voices”, like UNDRIP does

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

The perspective of this animation is from Indigenous people. They are passing on information through an elder telling a group of people, which is a traditional method of passing on knowledge. Overall we think that there was no lack of indigenous influence on the video. It shows how Indigenous people want to get their voices across for climate change in a positive light, as it is their right to do so.

What solutions to climate change does this video propose?

The general focus of the video is to give power to indigenous people and that will help solve climate change. The value of returning to earth what we have taken are shown in the solutions that are given. For example, REDD+ will reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Governments are responsible for reducing CO2 by restricting the actions of industrialised companies and developing agreements to slow/stop destruction of forests.

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

To a degree. Although they are missing out on other indigenous people’s ideas - i.e. they didn’t talk about New Zealand, Australia or the Pacific Islands but focused on the issues that the Asia/America/Africa continents experience. It’s hard for us in NZ to tell how accurate the representation of indigenous people from those areas is however. The representation of climate change, while simplified, was accurate, g

What are the opportunities and challenges in taking seriously Indigenous perspectives of climate change? Consider factors that facilitate or hinder ethical responses

Challenges:

• The government fails to recognise Indigenous perspectives on the environment and climate change
• A loss of traditional knowledge of Indigenous culture due to colonization, gentrification, and assimilation, such as young Maori being punished in schools for speaking their native language.
• How to implement/ involve indigenous perspectives in a way that respects them and doesn’t tokenise them for political gains

Opportunities:

• To involve unique indigenous ideas and values around the environment
• Teaching Te Reo Maori in primary and intermediate schools can be coupled with teaching their culture, values, and beliefs as well.
• To decolonise and decarbonise at the same time e.g. two birds with one stone! So more efficient because can help to solve 2 global issues at once

NZ specific: http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/national/maori-heavily-concerned-about-climate-change

Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples of the World - UNFCCC at COP17

self determination of Indigenous Peoples, in particular our rights to territories and natural resources

participation of Indigenous Peoples at all levels, respecting the processes based on consultation and free, prior and informed consent

contribution of the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous Peoples. Review the concepts of development based on the accumulation of wealth that emphasizes unlimited exploitation of natural resources.

Video 1- Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

Q: What kind of world is my generation being left with?

- Taking action against issues that are faced so our generation and future generations would inherit a healthy, safe, inhabitable Planet

- Earth guardian crew: A group of kids that the speaker is involved in that takes action to save something they care about. “Passionate and self educated”

-two steps to education: 1. Knowing the problem being presented and 2. What is the possible solutions

- one of the ways the speaker and his group likes to spread their message is through the use of positive rap. Hip hop a way to inspire and educate and music a way to connect

- we are not only the future but the present the Now.

-We have become disconnected from earth and nature because we have become more connected to Technology

- ‘ Earth is hurt it needs our health’

- Climate change is nature’s cry for help that is affecting all generations

-Give back to Earth what we have taken;

-Simple actions taken everyday can make a big difference like turning off your lights every night before you go to sleep, turning off the water when you're’re not using it, recycling etc.

- ‘it’s time to be the change and unite’ ‘it’s time to be the change and that means everyone’ ; we as citizens on earth need to make changes if we want to continue living on this planet

Source 2: Indigenous women and their fight for climate change

• It is having an effect on lives now
• Families living within the Central, south and caribbean are becoming climate refugees

Climate refugees or climate migrants are a subset of environmental migrants who were forced to flee "due to sudden or gradual alterations in the natural environment related to at least one of three impacts of climate change: sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and drought and water scarcity.

-Many indigenous people have pointed out that climate injustice on the part of more developed nations and multinational corporations is just another form of colonization, which indigenous people have resisted and survived for centuries now

-indigenous communities have been fighting climate change and resource extraction since before it was cool, but they don’t always have the reach or the social capital and power to make the impact we need.

-What are you willing to lose to climate change?

-Each of the women I profiled is fighting racism, sexism and many other forms of oppression on top of their work as fierce climate warriors.

What Maori have to say about Climate Change:

Maori are concerned that climate change is going to cause destruction to our small island (NZ). Maori are also worried that other indigenous cultures/people in Oceania need to be warned and prepared because there is mostly islands and small countries in our continent. People protested about helping stop climate change because we are a small country and can be under the water at any time.

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