Dialogue of knowledge and cognitive justice in culturally weak indigenous territories

Este artículo examina el papel central que juega la revitalización cultural, sentando las bases para un diálogo de saberes simétrico respecto a temas ambientales contenciosos. Para ello, se discuten varias experiencias de investigación participativa llevadas a cabo en el Parque Nacional Canaima, Venezuela, entre 1999 y el presente, para facilitar el diálogo sobre el uso fuego al interior del pueblo indígena Pemón, con miras a fortalecer su capacidad de diálogo y negociación con otros actores sobre el manejo sustentable de sus territorios; esto incluyó discusiones sobre procesos de cambio cultural y de formación de identidad. Estas experiencias han demostrado que una vez que se da reconocimiento público a saberes ambientales que han estado históricamente excluidos, como parte de sus propias agendas de reafirmación política y cultural, los pueblos indígenas se pueden sentir más seguros para entablar diálogos con otros actores sobre temas complejos y multifactoriales, como el uso del fuego. Estos procesos de reflexión comunitaria amplia abren paso a una situación de mayor justicia cognitiva en la gestión ambiental y territorial que forma parte de un proceso más amplio de construcción de interculturalidad. El derecho de los pueblos indígenas al autorreflexión, a pensar de manera diferente y a la libre expresión de sus conocimientos y saberes, es esencial para que se pueda dar el dialogo y la interculturalidad en condiciones de equidad.This paper examines the main role of cultural revitalization by establishing the base for a symmetric dialogue regarding environmental litigious issues. This examination discusses several experiences of participatory investigation carried out in Parque Nacional Canaima, Venezuela, from 1999 till present. These experiences sought to promote discussions about the use of fire in the indigenous village of Pemón, in order to strengthen the capacity for dialogue and negotiation with other stakeholders about the sustainable management of their territories. The promotion of dialogue included discussions about processes of cultura change and the transformation of identity. These experiences have shown that once traditionally neglected environmental knowledge is accepted –as part of their cultural and political strengthening agenda-, indigenous peoples can feel more confident to participate in dialogues with other stakeholders about complex and multifactor topics, e.g., the use of fire. These processes of group reflection pioneer towards a larger cognitive justice within environment and territory management which, in turn, is part of a greater process of intercultural construction. The right of the indigenous peoples to self-reflection, to think differently, and to have freedom of speech regarding their knowledge is central for the dialogue and equitable intercultural exchange

Capacity gaps in land-based mitigation technologies and practices: A first stock take

Land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs) reduce GHG emissions associated with land use and/or enhance terrestrial GHG sinks. This article investigates capacity gaps to successfully facilitate LMT adoption and/or scaling in the regions of Latin America, Europe, North America, sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. We look at LMTs such as agricultural land management, agroforestry, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), biochar, forest management, and peat/wetland management. We used a triangulation method based on literature review, an online survey, and semi-structured interviews with experts from Academia, Industry, NGOs, Local Communities and Government, to capture and analyze the most prominent capacity gaps by LMT and according to regional contexts. This approach identified ‘understanding’, ‘awareness’ and ‘economic/finance’ as the most important capacity gaps when it comes to LMT adoption and scaling across the aforementioned regions. A recommended first step for increased LMT adoption would be to address the knowledge and understanding capacity gaps, which, in turn, could help make LMTs more attractive to stakeholders. Policymakers in cooper- ation with other stakeholders might reflect on dedicated support policies and regulatory frameworks that level the playing field for LMTs (as compared to mitigation technologies and practices in energy and other sectors). Other good practice examples include market building for LMTs, using emerging carbon markets, designing bottom-up implementation plans in cooperation with local and Indigenous Peoples, increased ecosystems ser- vices payments and taking into consideration local and traditional knowledge for successful LMT adoption and scaling

Community owned solutions for fire management in tropical ecosystems:case studies from Indigenous communities of South America

Fire plays an increasingly significant role in tropical forest and savanna ecosystems, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and impacting on biodiversity. Emerging research shows the potential role of Indigenous land use practices for controlling deforestation and reducing CO2 emissions. Analysis of satellite imagery suggests that Indigenous lands have the lowest incidence of wildfires, significantly contributing to maintaining carbon stocks and enhancing biodiversity. Yet, acknowledgement of Indigenous peoples’ role in fire management and control is limited, and in many cases dismissed, especially in policy-making circles. In this paper, we review existing data on Indigenous fire management and impact, focusing on examples from tropical forest and savanna ecosystems in Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. We highlight how the complexities of community owned solutions for fire management are being lost as well as undermined by continued efforts on fire suppression and firefighting, and emerging approaches to incorporate Indigenous fire management into market, incentive-based for climate change mitigation. Our aim is to build a case for supporting Indigenous fire practices within all scales of decision-making by strengthening Indigenous knowledge systems to ensure more effective and sustainable fire management

Fire management in pyrobiocultural landscapes, Chiapas, Mexico

Communities in Chiapas are pioneers in fire management; for example, land users have to request burning permits from village organizations, following customary environmental management practices. This article reports on the cultural management of fire by indigenous Antelá and Tziscao communities in and around Lagunas de Montebello National Park, Chiapas, Mexico. It addresses territoriality, memory, regimes and management, and the integration of cultural knowledge and perspectives, with global relevance for all Indigenous peoples. This is the first published reference to the term “Pyrobiocultural” that the authors of this article (among others) have been developing over recent years