Are 1.5^oC and net zero meaningful globally?

While higher income countries, touted as the largest carbon emitters and those most to blame for the current climate crisis, may also experience drought, floods, and storms, it’s often not to the same level. This is why higher income countries have been called upon to support lower income communities via a new Loss and Damage Fund. Agreed upon at the COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference, once established, it will see compensation directed towards communities experiencing climate change but critics have argued that there should be more investment into tackling climate change now rather than its subsequent damage.

“[While] zero emissions targets are important from a climate change mitigation point of view, these groups naturally prioritise climate change adaptation now, and on how to handle the daily climate impacts they are exposed to. From their perspective, urgent actions are needed on the ground right now,” says Leal.

Local initiatives leading the way

Many communities can’t wait and are already deploying adaptation measures while others’ natural lifestyles have long complimented the earth and its resources. The United Nations Environment Programme, describes an Indigenous approach to nature that seeks to ensure balanced access to water, food, and shelter.

For example, native communities in Hawaii have restored fishpond systems to enhance the production of fish, prevent coral bleaching, and reduce beach erosion. In Bangladesh, floating gardens allow farmers to grow crops regardless of water levels and in Kenya, the Endorois people cultivate drought-tolerant cereals and vegetables. 

“Since communities which use traditional knowledge capitalise on experiences that are well established and have passed the test of times, they tend to be more successful,” Leal explains. Indigenous communities are estimated to safeguard 80% of the world’s biodiversity. Such practices mean that land owned by Indigenous communities have lower deforestation rates and higher levels of carbon content.

The problem, however, is that much of the land belonging to Indigenous communities is under threat and has the potential to be mined for its resources. “A lot of times governments are allocating Indigenous lands… to foreign companies that are establishing large scale agriculture plantations, mining and timber operations,” Peter Veit, the land and resource rights initiative director at the World Resources Institute, tells Ocki. 

More must be done, says Viet, to protect the land rights of such communities and, with it, the earth.

Elsewhere, the Maldives is already well versed in adaptation measures and has even used sand to build the island of Hulhumalé two metres above sea level. It has also built climate-sensitive housing and urban farming spaces.

In Thailand, the island of Koh Mak in the coastal province of Trat aims to be the country’s first low carbon destination by banning gas-guzzling jet skis, imposing a 10pm bar curfew to limit emissions, and encouraging tourists to engage in sustainable activities. Chumphuka explains how, in the north of the country, she’s also re-landscaped her farm to implement a canal system that means flood water is harnessed in a way that nourishes rather than floods the crops. “Now when the flooding comes, I have no problem because the water comes in and goes out easily,” she says, adding that prior to this it would have destroyed her rice yields.

In Ethiopia, Leal explains how pastoralist communities are also adjusting the size of their herds to better cope with limited water availability while farmers in Zimbabwe are adjusting their sowing  seasons using Indigenous knowledge. 

WRI’s Viet believes there is a growing acknowledgement that such local and traditional approaches need to be a part of climate action going forward. “At the international level you’re beginning to see more and more recognition of the importance of documenting and bringing customary practices together withs scientific approaches to try to bring the best approaches together in a way that you can scale,” he says.

How citizens can help

Whilst many of these communities seem far away to those in the likes of the U.K., there are still actions those in higher-income countries can take to contribute to lowering the impact of a rising planet on vulnerable communities.

It starts with education, Veit says. “Without the general public’s support a lot of policymakers won’t move on some of these issues.” While individual action can make a difference, oftentimes policy change at the highest levels is most effective, mandating change and widespread action. He calls on individuals to use their voices to ask governments and corporations if they are doing their due diligence in their operations. Are they limiting emissions, adopting sustainable practices, and ensuring no protected land is taken from Indigenous communities?

Without the general public’s support a lot of policymakers won’t move on some of these issues

Supporting international efforts, such as the Forest People’s Program, which works to secure more funding for Indigenous and local communities to secure their land rights, can also help, Viet says. For businesses, The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment has created a guide that outlines how such communities can be appropriately included in wind and energy initiatives. The World Economic Forum has also called for better defence Indigenous peoples’ rights.

At the same time, when visiting countries more vulnerable to extreme climate impacts, individuals could make more sustainable choices. For example, in the Maldives, Nordeen says resorts, such as Six Senses, are transitioning to using renewable energy, opening marine conservation programs, and implementing protected areas of the ocean. “It makes financial sense and also fits into the sustainability narrative,” she tells Ocki. “It is in everybody’s benefit to keep these areas as healthy as possible.”