The green transition has the potential to exacerbate existing socioeconomic inequalities for Indigenous peoples unless the issues of Western science and ongoing settler colonialism are addressed by researchers. A recent study highlights the importance of acknowledging and utilizing Indigenous knowledge to effectively combat climate change, emphasizing that despite historical disenfranchisement, Indigenous nations are the best stewards of the land.
Drawing insights from environmental oral histories of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, the study illustrates how the tribe has bolstered tribal sovereignty by reestablishing connections to the land. Examples include reintroducing freshwater mussels to cleanse local waterways and cultivating ancestral plants for sustenance, medicine, and textiles in urban settings.
Chief Dennis White Otter Coker of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware underscores the tribe’s resilience in dealing with environmental changes over millennia, emphasizing their deep connection to the land and its preservation.
Researchers argue that climate change cannot be divorced from the history of land dispossession and violence faced by Indigenous communities, highlighting how Western science often marginalizes Indigenous knowledge in its pursuit of climate solutions. The study sheds light on biases within organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the challenges of integrating Indigenous perspectives into relevant research.
While Western science tends to dominate discourse around climate adaptation, author Lyndsey Naylor points out the dismissive stance towards tribal projects and the extractive nature of research interactions with Indigenous communities. This underscores the need for a more inclusive approach that values and respects Indigenous knowledge.
Despite existing biases, Indigenous nations worldwide are embracing traditional knowledge to combat climate change effectively. Examples range from the reintroduction of buffalo by North American tribes to the successful conservation efforts in Indigenous-protected areas of the Brazilian Amazon. Indigenous science and stewardship play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
However, Indigenous innovations face challenges, particularly in the face of the green transition. Instances like the San Carlos Apache’s struggle to protect Oak Flat from copper mining underscore the clash between ecological preservation and economic interests, highlighting the ongoing threats posed by industrial activities.
Co-author Faisal Bin Islam warns against the ‘savior complex’ of Western science and urges a deeper recognition of the historical and contemporary impacts of colonial violence on Indigenous communities. Without addressing colonial legacies, any technological or scientific breakthroughs to address climate change will fall short of resolving the underlying issues.
