As authoritarianism rises in the U.S., it’s crucial to focus on what matters most: our connection to the earth. For Indigenous peoples across the Pacific, particularly those of Moananuiākea, our quest for justice is deeply tied to the land and our ancestors. We honor our kūpuna by practicing values like mālama ʻāina, which emphasizes care for the land and kuleana, meaning our responsibility to restore our environment and communities.
True climate justice work stems from this reverence for Indigenous knowledge. Empowering grassroots movements to protect the earth is vital. In today’s complex political and economic climate, we must not allow climate justice to fade into the background. The health of our communities and environments cannot be sidelined.
Historically, Indigenous, Black, and frontline communities have spearheaded the fight for climate and environmental justice. Many have borne the brunt of ecological harm for generations. The displacement of Indigenous peoples marked an early injustice that led to the exploitation of natural resources, severely damaging our lands and waters. Today, fossil fuel projects again threaten Indigenous lives and environments. Around the globe, we stand at the forefront of defending our rights and protecting Mother Earth.
When we frame social issues through the lens of climate justice, we pave the way for genuine change. Climate justice encompasses racial justice, Indigenous rights, gender equality, and economic fairness. Take the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR+), which is connected to the influx of transient workers in fossil fuel extraction areas near reservations. The fight against fossil fuel exploitation is more than an environmental challenge; it is essential for stopping violence in our communities.
The Indigenous knowledge woven into climate justice solutions offers a roadmap for sustainable futures. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) grants us insights into land and water stewardship that can ensure sustainable practices and food security. For example, organizations like Sacred Storm Buffalo in South Dakota work to revive Lakota culture while enhancing community food security through buffalo ranching. Buffalo, indigenous to this land, play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and enriching the ecosystem.
Before colonization, around 60 million buffalo roamed North America, supporting both the ecosystem and Indigenous ways of life. The nearly complete eradication of this species was a deliberate strategy used to weaken Indigenous communities. Today, projects led by Native people, like those at Sacred Storm Buffalo, are working to revitalize buffalo populations and restore local economies.
In Hawaii, community-led initiatives like Kumano I Ke Ala (KIKA) aim to restore traditional farming methods for staple crops like kalo (taro). Long before Western influence, Hawaii was a thriving kingdom sustained by the ahupuaʻa system, which balanced land and sea management. Colonization disrupted this system, resulting in significant environmental and cultural degradation.
Today, KIKA is reviving these farming practices to strengthen ecosystems and produce culturally relevant foods for Hawaiian communities. By teaching young people about traditional farming, they are also nurturing cultural identity and addressing mental health needs.
These examples show that Indigenous-led initiatives are key to addressing the climate crisis. According to a recent report by the World Resources Institute, Indigenous lands contain over 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. This suggests that supporting Indigenous rights is essential for environmental conservation.
With government support dwindling, the private sector’s involvement is crucial. Foundations and philanthropists can step in to close funding gaps and support frontline communities attempting to combat the climate crisis. Significant investments, like those from the Bloomberg Foundation, can create pathways for sustainable initiatives.
Every community should consider how they can bolster climate resilience and support each other in crisis. This means looking at their work through a climate justice lens, allowing for broader social change and economic empowerment.
Indigenous peoples have long held solutions for navigational aids through today’s challenges. But we need support. Climate justice isn’t just about the environment; it’s about food security, clean air, and a future where all people and our planet are thriving. Let’s unite and advocate for what is sacred.
Check out this related article: New Federal Environment Minister Appointed by Carney: What This Means for Canada’s Ecological Future
Source linkfossil fuels,self-determined,political power,indigenous sovereignty,environmental justice,climate justice,opinion
