People all over the world are experiencing the effects of climate change but countries that have the technology and the financial capability can use that to protect or mitigate the impact of Climate change, this was the statement Mr. Emmanuel Peni, Director for Project Sepik made in his recent talk on TEDx TALK in New York on the 23rd of September 2022.
In an exclusive interview with Mr. Peni, he stated that when he was given the opportunity to speak in the TEDx Talk in New York he felt the urged to speak on climate change and how the indigenous keepers (communities) may have the solution to the problems of climate change.
He said when the Western society seem to have solutions for their own, the biggest risk is faced by us Papua New Guineans, Pacific Islanders and other developing countries, because it’s really difficult to help those that are facing extreme climate change effects.
Mr. Peni gave a classic example on the people of Sepik but particularly the people of East Sepik; he said, “Villages especially along the Delta of Sepik River have moved 3 to 4 times away from the banks of the river because of the impact of climate change”. Sadly no one told their story and the struggles they face because of climate change.
But this very people, the indigenous will be the next best solution to climate change problems. “Indigenous Communities all over the world led by guardians, (people who are stewards of their lands) are now the guardians of the 80% of the world’s biodiversity.” “80% of the world’s biodiversity is where all the resources and everything to sustain life come from and this is held by the indigenous people”, he stressed.
Mr. Peni further mentioned that Papua New Guinea and the neighbouring Pacific islands should be in the spot light and should be given support because together with others we are looking after the world’s biodiversity.
The indigenous communities or keepers have the solution to the climate change problem now because they always have the best practice in terms of sustainable development and management of resources he stated.
“Scientist are beginning to catch up and are also beginning to understand that the Indigenous culture has the best practice in terms of sustainable development and sustainable management,” said Mr. Peni.
“PNG, the Pacific islands and the Aborigine practices and their sacred places, science is now starting to understand that these sacred places are vital breeding grounds for plants and animals.”
He further stated that there are also practices that prohibit certain clan members, or certain people to harvest certain plants and animals at a certain time.
“Certain Social group, certain plants and animals and certain times, these are our ancient ways of managing and using resources sustainably. We have it here and science is trying to catch up with it now!”
He also mentioned that the developed world is looking to the Indigenous science because Indigenous Guardians are now the ones to provide the solution to climate change problems.
“It’s time now for science to understand that not everything that is written by the books can be validated and correlated and called signs, but it is the indigenous signs that has value, indigenous science can be facts and do hold solutions for climate change, ” said Mr. Peni.