- It’s time for global leaders, funders, and policymakers to prioritize the inclusion of local conservationists in major climate discussions, a new op-ed argues.
- The effects of climate change, such as fires, droughts, and extreme weather events are not just environmental threats, but crises that directly impact human well-being and wildlife survival alike.
- “If we are serious about tackling climate change and preserving biodiversity, we must embrace holistic and inclusive approaches to conservation that integrate both wildlife and community needs,” two conservationists write.
- This article is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily Mongabay.
When most people think about climate change, images of melting ice caps or rising sea levels come to mind. However, the reality is far more intricate and urgent. The effects of climate change, such as fires, droughts, and extreme weather events are not just environmental threats, but crises that directly impact human well-being and wildlife survival alike. In reality, it is a complex web that affects both people and animals, and conversely, where each plays a crucial role in fostering resilient ecosystems that can withstand these challenges.
Take elephants, for example – these natural ecosystem landscapers help prevent wildfires by clearing excess vegetation, creating firebreaks through their movement, and dispersing seeds through their dung that grow into carbon-absorbing trees. Their activity even helps cool the planet’s surface by trampling dense vegetation to reflect sunlight off the newly exposed ground. Conservationists doing critical work on the ground witness firsthand how threats to wildlife like poaching, conflict, and climate change itself, disrupts these natural processes which act to mitigate climate change, driving droughts, fires, and other disruptions that make it harder for both wildlife and local communities to thrive.
These interconnected challenges affecting water quality, soil erosion, and even the spread of diseases highlight the inextricable link between climate change, wildlife conservation, and the well-being of communities. These issues cannot be separated in the fight against the negative effects of climate change.
The intersection of climate change and wildlife conservation is a crucial space where the most urgent global issues converge. Despite their front-line expertise, local community-based conservationists are often missing from critical climate planning conversations. These gatherings are where decisions are made that will shape the future of our planet, yet the voices of those who are creating change on the front lines are seldom heard. Community-based conservation works hand in hand with people who are directly affected by – and have the opportunity to mitigate the impacts of – climate change, from intensifying droughts to soil erosion, shrinking grasslands, and the spread of diseases. Their work is more than just protecting wildlife, as the latter depends on sustaining the integrity of ecosystems essential to the well-being of communities near and far.
To create effective, holistic climate solutions, community-based conservationists must be included in global discussions surrounding climate conferences and initiatives, to ensure that policies address the interconnected needs of wildlife, ecosystems, and humans. This inclusion is essential for bridging the gap between global strategies and local realities.
For instance, the escalating droughts in Kenya, driven by climate change, highlight the intricate links between environmental changes, wildlife survival, and human well-being, emphasizing the urgent need for local conservation efforts. In particular, the Grevy’s zebra, a unique and endangered species, faces increasing challenges as droughts lead to habitat loss and food insecurity. Grevy’s Zebra Trust works tirelessly to protect these zebras, but the situation is dire: shrinking grasslands leave them with less food, resulting in starvation. The impact is equally devastating for Ewaso Lions, as conservationists strive to protect the local lion population and ensure they peacefully coexist with local people on community land. When prey animals die off due to the loss of grasslands, lions often turn to livestock for sustenance, which heightens conflict with local communities already grappling with water shortages. This cycle of depletion sets off a chain reaction: prey animals starve, lions kill livestock, and communities may retaliate by killing lions. Conservation efforts to restore wildlife habitats not only protect endangered species, but also help rebuild ecosystems, benefit local communities, and serve as vital climate solutions by restoring grasslands into carbon sinks.
Similarly, coastal communities face their own struggles due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and shifting ocean temperatures, which threaten fish stocks and their livelihoods. The decline in fish populations leads to economic hardship and food insecurity, mirroring the challenges faced by wildlife on land. Conservationists at organizations like MarAlliance do critical work to protect marine species, restore habitats, and ensure sustainable fishing practices, helping both marine life and the communities that depend on them. Healthy marine ecosystems, vital for maintaining biodiversity, are also key to climate change mitigation, as oceans act as one of the planet’s largest carbon sinks and play a crucial role in regulating global temperatures. These complex challenges demonstrate the urgent need for climate policies that include the expertise of on-the-ground conservationists who grasp the delicate balance between wildlife and human needs when faced with changing climate.
Local conservationists are pivotal in tackling these challenges, working within their own communities to mediate between wildlife and human needs. Our conservation strategies at Wildlife Conservation Network are intentionally focused on local conservationists, who are active leaders and decision makers, to shape conservation efforts that jointly benefit communities and ecological integrity. By listening, providing access to decision making, educational, vocational and other opportunities, we strengthen community ownership of conservation, fostering a future where local livelihoods and wildlife protection are deeply intertwined, allowing both to thrive together. Ensuring healthy ecosystems, which wildlife conservation depends on, isn’t possible without the involvement and leadership of local communities, whose traditional knowledge and deep-rooted connection to the land make them indispensable partners in any stewardship effort.
This is why it’s a dire misstep to not include community-based conservationists in global climate events. We need more opportunities and a wider spectrum of people to engage directly with policymakers and funders, ensuring that wildlife conservation and its community-based successes and insights are accounted for in policies and funding decisions. Only by fostering these connections and making space for the practitioners who understand the local realities can we advance conservation as a natural solution to mitigating the effects of climate change and truly addressing the needs of both wildlife and communities.
If we are serious about tackling climate change and preserving biodiversity, we must embrace holistic and inclusive approaches to conservation that integrate both wildlife and community needs. Local community-based conservationists, with their invaluable knowledge and on-the-ground experience working with indispensable species like elephants, Grevy’s zebra and lions, are essential to creating strategies that work. By amplifying their voices and incorporating their insights into global conservation dialogues, we can develop solutions that not only address the climate crisis but also safeguard the wildlife and ecosystems crucial to our planet’s future.
It’s time for global leaders, funders, and policymakers to prioritize the inclusion of local conservationists in major climate discussions. Supporting these individuals ensures that efforts to address the impacts of climate change are more effective and leads to long-lasting positive impacts for the entire planet.
A Kenyan conservationist and Indigenous Samburu pastoralist, Peter Lalampaa is the Executive Director of Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT), where he has dedicated his career to the conservation of Grevy’s zebras and the preservation of traditional pastoralist practices. Jean-Gaël “JG” Collomb is the CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), where he leads the organization’s strategic efforts to enhance its impact, sustainability, and growth of organizations like Lalampaa’s.
Banner image: A Save The Elephants researcher studies elephants at Lake Jipe in Kenya. Image courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Network.
See related audio from Mongabay’s podcast: Indigenous and local communities offer a viable vision for conservation from their direct perspective and relationship to land, listen here:
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