Transforming Global Environmental Policies: How A&S Professor is Leading the Way

Many people around the world face serious challenges because of land degradation. Issues like climate change, deforestation, overgrazing, and poor farming practices harm both human health and the planet. One major concern is desertification, where healthy land becomes desert-like. This leads to problems like food and water shortages, loss of plants and animals, and people being forced to move away from their homes.

In December 2024, the United Nations held an important conference in Saudi Arabia to tackle these issues. Environmental experts and policymakers came together to discuss how to fight desertification and protect both nature and people.

Mariaelena Huambachano speaking during a panel at the UN Desertification Conference.

One of the conference speakers was Mariaelena Huambachano, an Indigenous scholar from Peru. She is also an assistant professor at Syracuse University. Huambachano is passionate about Indigenous food systems and teaches courses focused on food rights and environmental justice.

During the conference’s High-Level Interactive Dialogue on Science, Technology, and Innovation, she shared her insights on Indigenous food sovereignty. Recently, she published a book entitled “Recovering Our Ancestral Foodways: Indigenous Traditions as a Recipe for Living Well.” This book is based on her ten years of research with the Quechua people of Peru and the Māori of New Zealand. It explores their ideas on well-being, food sovereignty, and sustainable practices.

Mariaelena Huambachano (second from left) with fellow panelists at the conference.

At the conference, Huambachano emphasized how important it is to include Indigenous knowledge in climate policies. She explained that Indigenous values play a vital role in caring for the land, protecting biodiversity, and improving resilience to climate change.

Huambachano shared, “I spoke about how integrating Indigenous science can lead to better sustainable food systems. I’m pleased to hear our policy recommendations are supported by Saudi Arabia.” This acknowledgment of Indigenous insights at an international level is a significant step forward.

This was not Huambachano’s first time in a high-profile role at the UN; it was her fifth. Her dedication to global challenges shows her commitment to making a difference in the world.