CLIMATE CHANGE & CLIMATE CHANGE & INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: The INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: The

Maasai caseMaasai case

Daniel Salau RogeiDaniel Salau RogeiSimba Maasai Outreach OrganizationSimba Maasai Outreach Organization..

Email: Email: simookenya@hotmail.comTel: 254 202044579

CLIMATE CHANGE:CLIMATE CHANGE: Its Impact on Indigenous Peoples, Its Impact on Indigenous Peoples,

their cultures and Traditional their cultures and Traditional knowledge.knowledge.

55thth-7-7thth Sept 2007, NY, USA. Sept 2007, NY, USA.

IPs distinctive features….IPs distinctive features….

• Embodies and depend on the natural environment.

• Practice their socio-cultural lifestyle, Ik

• Depended on their traditional economic livelihood.

• Have been politically and economically marginalized.

IPs and their environments..IPs and their environments..

• Livelihoods & spiritual reverence

• Link between biodiversity and cultural diversity.

• Stewards & custodians through TK.

Socio cultural lifestyle…Socio cultural lifestyle…

• Known for their resilient and beautiful culture and languages

• Strong social ties and networks

• Rich Indigenous

knowledge

• Respect for social

Justice & nature

Economic livelihoodsEconomic livelihoods

– Hunter gatherers e.g bushmen

– Nomadic Pastoralists e.g the Maasai

– Small scale farmers - use indigenous seeds

– Traditional fisher folks

–

Our thermometer…Our thermometer…

• Mt. Kilimanjaro

Why IPs are Vulnerable..Why IPs are Vulnerable..

• Loss of land • Encroachment to

forests/concessions.• IPs non-recognition,

discrimination/marginalization eg Africa

• Lack of awareness.• Unfavorable

policies/laws.• Victims of capitalism and

globalization

Indicators..Indicators..• Unpredictable weather patterns.• Frequent droughts, famines and floods• Shrinking resources eg water and foliage• Extreme temperatures•Disappearance of biodiversity.•Desertification

Its Impacts….Its Impacts….

• Threatened livelihoods• Increased poverty• Disintegration of

cultures and loss of indigenous knowledge

• Loss of Biodiversity• Instability /conflicts• Chaos! - Early warning

systems

Challenges…Challenges…

• Lack of access to information.

• Commercialization of forests through carbon trade.

• Lack of capacity to address and mitigate

• Limited participation in climate change processes especially the youth.

Solutions…..Solutions…..

• IPs are willing to be part of the solution• Capacity building of IPs for preparedness

and mitigation.• Recognition and inclusion of IPs in the

climate change processes.• Respect of indigenous knowledge systems

and Intellectual property rights.• Promote organic farming and revert to

indigenous foods and means of production

Solutions Cont…Solutions Cont…

• Embrace cleaner and sustainable energy sources e.g solar, wind, biogas etc

• Adoption of Draft Declaration on IPs Rights as a ‘first aid’ measure.

• Create a special adaptation fund for IPs.• Actions!

Thank You!Thank You!