Indigenous governance aids climate resilience globally
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Indigenous communities from six ecosystems across 46 countries, including Kenya, Brazil, Ecuador, and Nepal, are increasingly facing multiple, overlapping climate disasters like floods, fires, and droughts.
The report from Land Is Life demonstrates that these groups are already implementing effective adaptation solutions, but global powers must support their self-determination to maximize impact.
Researchers found that Indigenous governance structures allow communities to respond quickly and effectively when disasters strike, as seen with the Kichwa People of Sarayaku in Ecuador, who used their established systems to warn residents about flooding. The report details how Indigenous knowledge, rooted in close observation of the land, enables communities to prepare for and respond to crises.
In Kenya, Endorois and Tugen women cultivated drought-resistant crops during severe droughts, while in Brazil, the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon organizes fire management and training. However, many governments do not legally recognize Indigenous peoples or their governing bodies, hindering their ability to protect their lands and share their expertise. Land Is Life argues that governments, philanthropists, and policymakers should prioritize direct funding and legal protections for Indigenous communities.
Anisha Buda of the Kaike Magar community in Nepal explained that a lack of resources and funding makes it difficult for vulnerable groups to adapt to climate change. While billions of dollars have been pledged for climate initiatives, very little reaches Indigenous communities directly, and projects are often implemented by outside organizations.
