<
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/biodiversitys-greatest-protectors-need-protection/>
"In the late 19th century Yellowstone, Sequoia and Yosemite became the first of
the great U.S. National Parks, described by author and historian Wallace
Stegner as America's “best idea.” But the parks were devastating for the Native
Americans who had lived or hunted within their borders and who were
expelled—essentially an act of colonialism in the name of conservation. In the
20th century similar reserves began to be carved out in developing countries,
creating millions of “conservation refugees” even as neighboring forests were
given over to extractive industries. The protected areas failed to offset the
destructive aspects of development. Plant and animal species are disappearing
faster than at any time since the event that wiped out most of the dinosaurs 65
million years ago. Even humans aren't guaranteed to survive.
The U.S. has taken one small step to make amends. In June, Secretary of the
Interior Debra Haaland, the first Native American ever to hold a cabinet
position, signaled her intent to safeguard both nature and justice by returning
the National Bison Range to the Salish and Kootenai confederation. Now the
Biden administration needs to go further. At the 2021 meeting of the United
Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), it should ensure that an
ambitious plan to promote biodiversity empowers Indigenous and other
communities worldwide instead of punishing them for their success in
conservation."
Via Manuela Casasoli and 7B'JaJaDa.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
