Pico Analytics Fortnightly Newsletter: Indigenous Communities & The Climate Crisis Edition
The territories of the world’s 370 million Indigenous peoples cover 24% of land worldwide and contain 80% of the world’s biodiversity. The Indigenous population of our planet are truly the gatekeepers of our knowledge and understanding of those ecosystems and life cycles upon which we all rely. In recent years we have seen a change in the portrayal of and discourse surrounding Indigenous people. As a global society we are beginning to move away from the victimization and stereotypes that have historically defined how Indigenous people have been viewed and the narrative is changing to reflect the resilience, power, and strength of these communities as well as their transformation into critical agents of environmental conservation. In recent years we have seen a surge in Indigenous activism that has been defined by the climate crisis and the continued inequality these communities experience from the infringement of land rights to the melting of the ice their homes and schools stand upon. We have all seen the images of the Indigenous people of the Amazon marching alongside activists at the various COP's, we have all heard of the Native American communities fighting to stop oil pipelines crossing their territories and polluting their rivers, we are all aware of the plight of Pacific Islanders being displaced by sea level rise, we all acknowledge the important role Indigenous people have to play in the fight against climate change and yet we continue to sit on our hands and allow them to bear the brunt of the climate change caused by our insatiable demand for natural resources.
Though the narrative within Indigenous communities is changing it has not stopped them from experiencing climate change in all its forms. The 100,000 Indigenous reindeer herders of Alaska, Canada, China, Finland, Greenland, Mongolia, Norway, Russia, and Sweden are watching their livelihoods slip away as snow and ice cover becomes unpredictable, and reindeer fall through thinning ice or are forced to migrate later thereby destabilizing the entire Saami and Nenet culture and economy. It is not only Pacific Islanders who are being forced to relocate and leave traditional lands, Indigenous communities worldwide are watching their land become untenable, people such as the Maasai and Oromo are being forced to move to cities as desertification changes grazing routes making their nomadic lifestyle impossible. Clean energy is becoming part of the problem as Brazil's various tribes lose lands to biofuel plantations (sugar cane plantations), Indigenous Malaysians, known as Penan, watch as their land is depleted by dam projects, bringing their hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an end, forcing them to scratch out a living on tiny plots of land. It would be safe to say that Indigenous communities are coming under fire from all sides, and yet, they continue to innovate and push for change both at grassroots and at the highest levels. From mangrove planting in Bangladesh, to Indigenous people in the Caribbean moving from the savannah to the forest during droughts and growing crops most suited to their new environment, to increasing access to green energy on Native American territories and lands it is only natural that there will be challenges and setbacks for Indigenous communities as they attempt to find balance in a world weighted towards climate catastrophe. However, Indigenous communities offer an insight into the natural world that has never been more important for policy making and for increasing public awareness and support for the various programmes which need to be put in place to keep 1.5° alive. This edition seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of how Indigenous communities are combating climate change, the many challenges they face, as well as the important victories that have been achieved. From Inuit led Arctic snow schools for scientists to the Western world's 'climate colonialism' this edition, as always, aims to educate, inform, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle whilst turning your attention to those projects and laws which aim to enforce sustainability at the highest level.
We here at Pico Analytics know that it can be disheartening and at times frustrating to read through the various articles and reports concerning climate change, sustainable development and ESG's but it is important to understand exactly what is happening in our world and how our needs and requirements are being met. In our Sustainability Spotlight we shine a light on the NDN Collective whilst our usual Business Insider video takes a look at how pineapple skins could replace soap. Our newsletter, as usual, will provide a short summary of some of the most notable, informative, and quirky climate stories of the past two weeks in the hope that it provides inspiration and insight into climate news from around the world. Finally, we want to hear from you, our readers, about any topics that interest you, which we can either produce research papers on or include as stories in future newsletters.
OUR
TOP STORIES
Former Kiribati President Anote Tong Backs Torres-Strait Islander-led Climate Crisis Legal Case Against Australian Government
by Sarah Collard & Australian Associated Press 24th April 2023
A former Pacific Island president has backed a Torres-Strait Islander-led legal case to hold the Australian government accountable for climate crisis inaction.
On Monday 24th of April, Anote Tong, former president of Kiribati and well known climate activist signed a statement of solidarity with Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai, who have chosen to take the Australian government to court demanding further emissions reductions. The two Torres-Strait Island residents hail from Boigu and Saibai which are located at the Northernmost point of Australia's inhabited islands and both of which suffer from regular flooding from seawater. This landmark action by the two islanders, carried out on behalf of their island communities is arguing very simply that the Australian government is acting unlawfully in failing to stop the climate change which will, if unchecked, destroy their homelands. After spending two weeks with Indigenous communities in the Torres-Strait Islands Anote Tong has now come out in support of their legal case echoing that Australia needs to do more to cut emissions. The former president also recognised and spoke out on the similarities he could see between the experiences of Torres-Strait Islanders and those of communities in his own part of the world making particular note of the lack of focus afforded to vulnerable Pacific Island countries with respect to the impacts of climate change.
Since the change in government Australia has taken steps to cut domestic emissions and commit to net zero by 2050, however, their real challenge lies in cutting the significant quantities of fossil fuel exports which cause far more damage than domestic emissions. Though the Australian government has traditionally taken the view that the issue lies with the countries who are importing the oil and gas, it still contributes to overall global emissions, which means Australia still has a part to play. The decision to take the Australian government to court is in part caused by fears that cultures and communities are at risk of being lost if nothing is done to mitigate climate change and that there are fears the people of Saibai and Boigu could become climate refugees. Anote Tong stated in his support of the legal action that “It’s (climate change) not created by any single one country and addressing it requires a collective effort. It’s got to be a global effort… the tragedy is that people have not come to the realisation that it’s all of our problems and unless we address it, we might be hitting the tipping point, where climate change will become irreversible. The predictions of doom are not so unrealistic.”
Catalonia Experiences Worst Drought in Decades
by Guy Hedgecoe 4th April 2023
If you were to look out over the Sau reservoir in early April you would see a small flotilla of boats catching fish and removing them from the reservoir before they die and rot in the water due to the high levels of heat. This measure has been taken as the water level of the reservoir drops to below 10% of the reservoir's capacity and is at serious risk of being contaminated by silt. The remaining water has now been emptied downstream to another reservoir. The reservoir has been supplying Barcelona and other towns in the Northeastern region of Catalonia for half a century and now it has become a symbol of the drought as the 11th Century church of Sant Romà de Sau, which was submerged when the reservoir was created in 1962, is standing several meters above the waterline.
"This part of Catalonia has not seen sustained rain in two-and-a-half years. In early March, the reservoir's water level had dropped to 8% of its capacity, down from 55% a year earlier". Locals are shocked to see the reservoir in its current state and are attributing this drastic reduction in water to climate change. Catalonia's situation is not unique as much of the country is facing similar challenges, particularly in the Southern and Eastern areas. "In mid-March, reservoirs in the Guadalquivir basin of Andalusia averaged 26% of their capacity, one point below the Catalan interior, and in the south-eastern Segura basin they were at 36%. That compared with 83% capacity in parts of the northwest". Though not all droughts are caused by climate change, increased heat in the atmosphere is sucking the moisture out of the earth and making dry spells like that being experienced in Catalonia longer and more intense. Catalonia is just one of the most exposed areas in Europe and is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change, as is France, Italy, Greece and the Balkans. What makes Catalonia more unique is the significant rise in local populations - by 5.5 million people - who now rely on local water sources. This has forced the regional government to introduce strict limits on water use. The extensive use of water for agriculture also plays a significant role as it accounts for 80% of water use which has once again forced the local government to reduce water consumption for agriculture by 40%. This new limit has caused a plethora of problems for farmers who are already struggling with the lack of rain and unreasonably high temperatures. The inability to plant crops due to the lack of water will inevitably cause shortages both in Spain and abroad and will have ramifications for the prices of the produce which is available.
Though the Catalan government does not have any more restrictions planned, summer is still on its way and with it higher temperatures and increased demand from the tourist industry are forcing them to make contingency plans for a worst case scenario. "This is a very critical situation," said Samuel Reyes of the Catalan Water Agency. "This drought in Catalonia is a marathon. The worry is that we are on alert not just for two years or so, but for three or four years."
Amazon Indigenous Woman Alessandra Korap Awarded Prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize
By the Fabiano Maisonnave 24th April 2023
Alessandra Korap, a Munduruku Indigenous woman from the Brazilian Amazon, has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her work fighting against illegal mining and large-scale projects aimed at facilitating soybean exports in the Tapajos River Basin.
Allesandra Korap grew up in a small Indigenous village nestled in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, however, the nearby city of Itaituba crept closer and closer with every passing year. Unfortunately, this was just the tip of the iceberg of encroachment as two major federal highways appeared and with it tens of thousands of non-Indigenous settlers arrived alongside illegal gold miners and loggers. This significant increase in outsiders has posed a grave threat to Korap's Munduruku people, 14,000-strong and spread throughout the Tapajos River Basin, in Para and Mato Grosso states. Overnight illegal mining, hydroelectric dams, a major railway and river ports for soybean exports transformed the land and left the Indigenous population struggling to recognize their homeland. Korap and other Munduruku women have taken up the banner, overturning traditional all-male leadership and fighting for their traditional lands. They have "organised communities, orchestrated demonstrations presented compelling evidence of environmental crime to the Federal Attorney General and Federal Police, and vehemently opposed illicit agreements and incentives offered to the Munduruku by unscrupulous miners, loggers, corporations, and politicians seeking access to their land". The Goldman Environmental Prize chose to recognize Korap for the defense of her ancestral territory and environmental advocacy. Upon receiving the prize Korap spoke of its importance in bringing attention to the expulsion of illegal miners in the Sawre Muybu territory and the reintroduction of the recognition for and demarcation of this land as Indigenous which was frozen during Jair Bolsonaro's presidency.
In 2021 the Munduruku people celebrated a small victory as the Anglo American mining company gave up mining in Indigenous territory in Brazil, including Sawre Muybu. This is an important moment as half of Brazil's climate pollution comes from deforestation which produces a deep contrast with the Indigenous controlled regions of the Amazon which are some of the best preserved in the Brazilian Amazon. The destruction of the Amazon has become so severe that the Eastern Amazon near the Munduruku people is no longer a carbon sink or net absorber of gas, instead it is now a carbon source according to a 2021 journal study by Nature. Korap has recognised that land rights alone do not protect the land as illegal miners are continuing to destroy and contaminate hundreds of miles of waterways in search of gold even though the Munduruku Indigenous Territory was recognized in 2004. Recently, Brazil's new government has created the nation's first Ministry of Indigenous Peoples and are pushing to drive out the miners. However, Korap remains skeptical of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva whose actions are often contradictory as one minute he advocates for forest protection and the next he is negotiating international trade deals to sell more beef and soybeans - which are the main drivers of deforestation in Brazil. “When Lula travels abroad, he is sitting with rich people and not with forest defenders. A ministry is useless if the government negotiates our lands without acknowledging we are here,” Korap said.
Arctic Snow School Looks to Indigenous Inuit Knowledge for Innovative Climate Change Responses
by Meral Jamal 21st April 2023
Margaret Kanayok, an Inuk elder from Ulukhaktok, an Inuit community in the neighboring Northwest Territories, has joined a group of scientists attending the world's first snow school in Nunavut, Canada. Kanayok's knowledge of the snow is invaluable. Having spent the first twelve years of her life living in an igloo and playing in the snow which her own elders often said made different sounds with “pukak” – or snow with bigger grains at the bottom – making a distinctive sound as you walked over it, Kanayok is now passing this information down to the next generation. Alexandre Langlois, a veteran researcher on extreme weather and snow sciences, however, the Indigenous knowledge he has gain from Kanayok has been revelatory as she shows them new methods to find those crucial deep snow layers. "Langlois, a professor at the University of Sherbrooke, Canada, set up the snow school with Florent Domine, a professor at Laval University, to bring Indigenous knowledge and western science into conversation with each other". As the climate crisis gathers force it has never been more important to understand the interactions between weather inputs and snow, yet we shockingly know more about Alpine snow than Arctic snow, even when the latter plays such an important role in the world's survival. In part this is due to the gaps in data collection caused by infrequent data gathering in specific locations that can only take place at certain times of the year. The crucial snow models scientists are attempting to create require fieldwork that makes it all too clear just how complex Arctic snow is and amplifies the importance of understanding its complexity and depth which can be challenging when you are working in temperatures that can go as low as -40°C.
At first glance the snow school can seem like any other as its key aim is to bring together young researchers from across the Arctic and teach them how to collect field measurements related to snow. What is unique about this project is the involvement of Inuit voices and the integration of their knowledge into fieldwork in order to strengthen understanding of the Arctic and to diversify it through the lived experience of elders, hunters and knowledge-holders on the ground. Inuit hold a wealth of knowledge and though it may not be knowledge collected in scientific ways what they know is very useful to scientists. Most importantly projects like this one connect remote Inuit communities in the Arctic with the wider world and allows the perspectives of the local communities to be taken into account in the research, meaning some of the benefits can go to them too. The Inuit elders and hunters can provide much needed insight into the Arctic and its snow, simply by listening to them we can begin to better understand the problems the region faces and how they relate to the Arctic snowpack. "The critical thing, says Domine, is how important it will be to improve our understanding of Arctic snow in a way that helps us respond to the climate crisis. “We used to say the Arctic is going to change twice as much as the planetary average and now we’re saying it’s four times as much. My personal feeling is that climate change is going to be faster than our most pessimistic prediction.”
International Court of Justice to Weigh in on Climate Change
by Matt McGrath 29th March 2023
In one of the most significant climate news stories of the year, Vanuatu, a low-lying Pacific Island nation which is facing a growing threat from sea level rise has seen success in pushing through a UN resolution which will seek legal clarity on responsibilities for climate change through an advisory opinion produced by the International Court of Justice, which could in turn be cited in future climate court cases.
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau called it "a win for climate justice of epic proportions". The motion itself, which was sparked by law students in Fiji four years ago, was backed by more than 130 countries and has received global support. Vanuatu's decision to take up this mantle has come after experiencing the devastating consequences of rising temperatures in the form of cyclones and storms earlier this year, the damages of which have now totaled roughly half of the country's annual GDP. Vanuatu's experiences added weight to their UN motion which they made clear was not an exercise in pointing the finger of blame but simply to "clarify existing obligations to prevent harm to the environment". For this reason the resolution was able to gain so much support, even from those countries who contribute most to global warming. This motion provides a very tangible breakthrough as the ICJ's legal view would be non-binding, but it could be cited in climate court cases around the world. Though we will still have to wait two years to hear the views of the ICJ, the release of their legal view will be timely as lawyers in support of the case believe that this will resolve the confusion surrounding a country's legal responsibilities regarding the causes of global warming and galvanize the world to take action on climate change. Supporters are hoping for a domino effect wherein governments realize that failing to reduce their national gas emissions will break international law. "Courts in countries around the world may then take their lead from the decision, and it may shape UN negotiations on climate change, and impact decisions by fossil fuel companies on their long-term investments".
This motion, which is the brainchild of the law students at Fiji's University of the South Pacific campus, provides proof that anyone can make change and that nobody should doubt their ability to effect change at the highest levels. Cynthia Houniuhi, a law student and president of a group calling itself Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change knew the odds may not be in their favor, however, she and her group of 27 students still chose to draft a letter to Pacific Island leaders which eventually brought the positive response of Vanuatu. They also contacted Prof Jorge Viñuales professor of law and environmental policy at Cambridge University. His advice was to go for the top, and aim for the International Court of Justice. Where previous attempts have attempted to take the legal route and failed from lack of support the people of the Pacific Islands have succeeded and in the process managed to transform the views of the UN and engage public support from across the globe.
G-7 Taking Action to Phase-out Fossil Fuels
by Kana Inagaki, David Shepphard & Andy Bounds 16th April 2023
G7 countries have pledged to accelerate a gradual phase-out of fossil fuels and the shift towards renewable energy, as Japan faced significant pushback on central parts of its climate strategy.
The agreement made by the G7 “to accelerate the phaseout of unabated fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050” is the product of fraught discussions amongst member states who are looking for a response to criticism over backtracking on climate targets due to the crisis in Ukraine. This agreement has been something of a breakthrough as Japan has consistently opposed using this phrase but has finally been brought onboard by the UK, Germany and France who renogotiated successfuly for its inclusion. This is not however the only take away from the agreement as the G7 have pledged to increase collectively offshore wind capacity by 150 gigawatts by 2030 and solar capacity to more than 1 terawatt. The G7 members are also looking to shift the nuclear energy supply sector away from Russian influence in light of their actions in Ukraine and their weaponization of gas supplies. The various compromises and agreements which have made up the communiqué has managed to even please environmental activists who have taken note of its ambitious nature.
Unfortunately, it is not always good news as Japan has pushed back against setting dates for the phase out of coal-fired power plants due to its shifts in reliance after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. Naturally, this has brought a certain degree of criticism from environmental groups and scientists who have warned that coal needs to be rapidly phased out if the world wants to keep 1.5° alive. At a surface level the G7 communiqué was a success, yet, if you scratch beneath the surface and look carefully at the text it becomes clear that G7’s commitment “to achieving a fully or predominantly decarbonised power sector by 2035” remains too vague and could still allow for the use of fossil fuel-fired power. We really should not be surprised by this as just last year the G7 "added a loophole to a previous pledge to end investments in overseas fossil fuel projects by the end of this year and said investment in liquefied natural gas was a “necessary response to the current crisis”. For the G7 nations the achievement they hope will come from pushing Putin out of the nuclear fuel market, opening up new finance and collaboration opportunities in uranium extraction, conversion, enrichment and fabrication. This may prove something of a challenge in certain areas such as the seven former Soviet bloc countries in Europe who remain reliant on Russian nuclear fuel and are resisting its banishment until a different, affordable option is offered in its place.
Western World's Climate Strategy Considered 'Green Colonialism' by Indigenous World Leaders
by Jenni Monet 23rd April 2023
Indigenous world leaders have been setting the tone at the recent 22nd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as they warn of the west’s climate strategy and how it risks the exploitation of Indigenous territories, resources and people. The transition to a green economy and the impacts of mineral mining were at the forefront of the debate as hundreds of Indigenous chiefs, presidents, chairmen and delegates convened in New York to finally discuss these topics after the long Covid induced hiatus. Attendees have been quick to get down to business, namely in highlighting the growing destruction and turbulence linked to mining for minerals such as nickel, lithium, cobalt and copper i.e. the resources required to support products such as electric car batteries and other products linked to the green transition. Though nations are very much focused on upholding the various climate pledges that aim to keep 1.5° alive and are doing so via environmentally driven projects linked to minerals or wind power the rights of Indigenous peoples – from the American south-west to the Arctic and the Serengeti in Africa are unfortunately being usurped in the process.
The harrowing experiences of Indigenous communities have been flowing in across the summit with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian reservation in Nevada speaking in the 70+ lithium mining applications "targeting Paiute lands have come without free, prior and informed consent – what is considered the cornerstone of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples". It is thought that the plans for lithium mining are part of the Biden administration's net-zero strategy and provide a domestic supply of EV's at the cost of the Indigenous people. Unfortunately, the native American people are not the only Indigenous community experiencing such problems;
"Edward Parokwa, executive director of the Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (Pingo’s Forum), said a mass migration has ensued of thousands of Maasai violently displaced from their Tanzania homelands to make way for a luxury game reserve – and under suspicions and fear of mobile phone surveillance by the United Arab Emirates.
Gunn-Britt Retter of the Saami Council, an organization representing the Sami peoples of Finland, Russia, Norway and Sweden, said she had been raising awareness about what she calls the “green colonialism” driving harmful sustainability projects on Sami and Indigenous lands. The most recent example has been the Fosen onshore wind farm that was built despite a supreme court ruling in Norway in defense of Sami reindeer herding grounds".
The criticism of the various programmes linked to the green transition have been thick and fast as many Indigenous people feel that the move to a greener, more sustainable future will come at the cost of Indigenous lands and cultures being lost. Though all delegates recognized the need for alternative energy sources there is an understandable level of discontent over the failure to properly include Indigenous peoples in discussions and decision making. “The issue of climate change and biodiversity cannot be resolved without the real and effective participation of Indigenous peoples'' said Mejía Montalvo, who belongs to the Zenú peoples of San Andrés Sotavento in Colombia. He has since pushed for 193 UN member states to set a quota for actions that guarantee Indigenous peoples can take part in decisions affecting our planet, and in a way that puts them “on equal footing” with states – meaning, voting power, which Indigenous peoples lack". It is no wonder that there is so much criticism over the lack of Indigenous recognition after the 'loss and damage' fund failed to adequately acknowledge the importance of Indigenous peoples in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Though the first working group for the Local Communities and Indigenous' Peoples Platform (LCIPP) took place in 2019 and has engaged with the Cop presidency at Sharm el Sheikh it is clear that Indigenous communities have still not been brought into the fold or are being offered sufficient protections.
Regional Leaders and Religious Community Congregates to make Climate Pledge
by BBC 20th April 2023
Climate change is both a global and a local issue and it is for this reason that the local leaders of the Greater Manchester area are looking for new ways to tackle climate change. This month the Mayor of Greater Manchester and local religious have congregated at The Vatican for a meeting with the Pope to pledge a commitment to tackle climate change. The group, led by the Bishop of Salford and the Dean of Manchester, accompanied by a number of faith leaders from the region, including members of the Jewish, Sikh and Hindu communities took the trip as part of their wider efforts to commit Greater Manchester to further action on climate change. This congregation of community (Lord Mayor of Manchester, Donna Ludford, MP Mohammed Afzal Kahn, along with Chair of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership Mike Wilton) and faith leaders from the Greater Manchester area has been something of a historical moment as they join forces to agree to make pledges for a greener Greater Manchester region. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said being at The Vatican to witness "the historic moment our faith and civic leaders make our commitment to the Holy Father" gave him "great pride". Bishop of Salford John Arnold said: "The devastation that we are witnessing around the world is no longer in isolated occurrences but a constant reminder that we are now at a vital moment or a turning point. Our actions and way of life are inflicting damage across our common home. By leading this delegation, we look to use our influence in the wider community, to people of all faiths and none, leading by example and sharing opportunities to learn from each other as we respond to the ecological crisis". The meeting proved a success as this working group agreed a pledge to Pope Francis to;
Support the use of renewable technology and accelerate the decarbonisation of our places of worship
Use land to help heal nature and increase biodiversity
Encourage communities to engage in proactive transformational behavioural change
The group also discussed and provided updates on work that is ongoing, including audits of the carbon footprint of faith buildings, outreach programmes and the introduction of the Bee network of transport. The significance of meetings such as these cannot be understated as communities are collectively feeling the indiscriminate impacts of climate change. Faith groups are some of the most powerful and influential in society which makes their commitment to making change just as crucial as any other community of social group. We hope that there will be many such climate pledges being agreed in the future between civil and faith groups.
Anthropogenic Climate Change Driving Drought in Horn of Africa
by Fiona Harvey 27th April 2023
The devastating drought in the Horn of Africa would not have happened without the human-made impact of the climate crisis, new science has shown.
The heartbreaking stories and harrowing scenes of the population of the Horn of Africa suffering through the regions worst drought in 40 years has forced many to question the true impact of climate change not by counting degrees but by counting the number of affected and the lives lost. "The drought has affected about 50 million people in the Horn of Africa directly and another 100 million in the wider area. About 20 million people are at risk of acute food insecurity and potentially famine". The extended dry conditions punctuated by intense rainfall and flash flooding has been the running theme of the past five consecutive years of rainfall below normal levels. "At least 4.35 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and at least 180,000 refugees have fled Somalia and South Sudan for Kenya and Ethiopia, which have also been affected by the drought". Statistics such as these may be astounding but they are also set to increase and worsen as the recent study by the World Weather Attribution group of scientists stated clearly that an ongoing drought, such as the one in the Horn of Africa, would not have happened without the human actions that have changed the climate. The drought is in fact a culmination of issues i.e. higher temperatures, lack of rainfall, drying of soil and pasture and increased evaporation of moisture from the earth and plants, which would not have led to a drought in a world that was 1.2° cooler. Unfortunately, even conservative estimates have set the likelihood of droughts at 100 times more likely to occur due to climate change. Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute for climate change and the environment at Imperial College London has summarised the current situation best in stating that "drought is much more than just the lack of rain" and that the impacts of climate vary significantly depending on our level of vulnerability. At its core this would mean that without the effects of the climate crisis the low rainfall and high temperatures in the Horn of Africa would have been less severe. "In the region covered by the study – southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia and eastern Kenya – rainfall is normally concentrated in two seasons: long rains from March to May, when most of the yearly rainfall occurs, and a further period of short rains, from October to December, with less intense and more variable precipitation. The long rains are now drying up under the influence of the climate crisis, the study found, with low rainfall during this season now twice as likely as before, but the season of short rains is becoming wetter". The results of the study are very clear, consistent multi-year droughts and extreme heat in the main rainy season will have serious ramifications for food security and human health in the Horn of Africa, particularly in circumstances where communities do not have the capacity to withstand those impacts due to their rain-dependant livelihoods. This will inevitably lead to conflict, state vulnerability and eventually will give rise to a humanitarian disaster.
Can Pineapple Skins Replace Soap?
by Business Insider 30th March 2023
A Vietnamese company is turning pineapple waste into natural alternatives to hand soap, laundry detergent, and more. Research suggests the enzymes from fermented fruit can fight germs and clean up waterways.
Pico Analytics Sustainability Spotlight!
by Kate Martin 26th February 2023
This section of our Newsletter is where we here at Pico Analytics shine a spotlight on one of those businesses, initiatives, positive news stories or people that are paving the way for sustainability and a more eco-friendly future. In this edition we are continuing with our Indigenous theme and have chosen to honor the NDN Collective. The NDN Collective is a Native American and Indigenous-led organisation, based out of South Dakota, USA, dedicated to building the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities and Nations to exercise their right to self determination, whilst fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and the planet. The collective is built upon the 3D's; Defend, Develop and Decolonise. Defend for the NDN is defined as continuing to "defend our people, communities, and nations against negative resource extraction that poisons our people, pollutes our water, destroys our land, contributes to climate change and violates our human rights". Develop means to "continue to develop Indigenous communities in a regenerative and sustainable manner based on our values and connection to land, culture and identity. We need to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Finally Decolonise is geared towards "decolonising our minds, communities, and sovereign nations". Their methods of achieving the three D's are not so distant from those necessary to slow the climate crisis such as regenerative community development, renewable energy investments, social enterprise development and organising communities for activism aimed at shifting the political and financial systems that are impacting their communities. The NDN Collective has become a leading voice on climate activism ending violence and violations in Native territories, and the return of Native land to its people. Six members of the organisation attended Cop26 as part of their Climate Justice team. They participated in various marches and events advocating for Indigenous-led solutions to emissions reduction. The collective also chose to branch out beyond North America and discuss and spotlight the climate crisis in Tibet, speaking on colonialism, and on the importance of centering Indigenous voices. Their team returned for Cop27 in collaboration with the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change taking part in events varying from coastal resilience to scaling and implementing Indigenous-led solutions. The NDN Collective is an impressive and powerful organisation that has managed to find the balance between pushing for Indigenous leadership, sustainable development in Indigenous communities and fighting for climate justice through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building and narrative change, they are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms. Organisations such as the NDN Collective are crucial actors and stakeholders for the climate movement and we hope they will continue to move forward and make change for the better. If you would like to find out more about the collective click this link and feel free to watch the video below…
