There is a quote by Sir David Attenborough that I believe perfectly depicts today’s reality: “If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it.” According to Attenborough, being in nature, with all its vibrant wonders, could cure environmental apathy. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services highlights that general “disconnection from nature” could be one of the root causes of the current biodiversity and climate crisis.
With their traditional lifestyles, most indigenous communities live in direct contact with nature and maintain nature-centred practices. Today, they are the primary caretakers of the environment; it is estimated that 80 per cent of the biodiversity left on earth is under their care and protection. An explanation for this is the cultural appreciation of the environment and intergenerational passing of knowledge, leading to sustainable, cyclical use of resources, land, respect, and cohabitation with wildlife.
The Gwich’in people of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge protect an area of 80,000 square kilometres between Alaska and Canada. They effectively maintain a rare ecological balance despite relying on Caribou hunting. However, this intricate balance is at risk with oil drilling infrastructure appearing in the region, pushing the Gwich’in into politics, lobbying, and advocating against environmental exploitation and ecosystem disruption. Their knowledge of the land has undoubtedly helped them carry this battle.
There are also plenty of examples of indigenous groups holding knowledge that could be used and applied globally. In Namibia, the Himba people have developed lifestyles to withstand the harsh, drought-like conditions of the desert environment. They manage water resources through their deep understanding of hydraulic systems, knowledge of resistant plants, and control of livestock herd populations.
As the world heats and dries, such cost-efficient techniques will be crucial to the survival of worldwide populations. This will lead to a huge collaboration potential between knowledge-holders and the scientific community.
Environmental science is not a modern invention but a forgotten heritage cultivated by our ancestors and today’s indigenous communities. We must give them the credit they deserve and follow their lead. For all the wisdom of modern science and researchers, maybe it is time to turn our focus to those who know, learn from the past, and be conservative conservationists.
Photo by Cordelia Murray-Brown for The Student