This Opinion Piece by Angel Niesje Manembu, Visionary Leader in Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous Empowerment (and board member of Forest Conservation Fund), is set in the year 2050, part of Earthworm Foundation’s special 25th-anniversary newsletter. Click here to view the full newsletter and discover more stories from 2050.
The year is 2050. Across the globe, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs) are at the heart of biodiversity conservation, leading initiatives that sustain ecosystems and empower communities.
This transformation didn’t happen overnight—it resulted from decades of collaboration, advocacy, and a fundamental shift in how we view conservation. The world has fully recognised the critical role of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs) in biodiversity conservation. Their leadership, rooted in generations of traditional ecological knowledge, has created more effective and resilient strategies for maintaining the planet’s sustainability. However, this transformation required a shift in how conservation organisations, governments, and the public valued their contributions.
Before 2050, Earthworm Foundation, The Forest Conservation Fund, Mongabay, Mighty Earth and many other conservation organisations worldwide played a pivotal role in accelerating this shift. They worked tirelessly to convince governments and other stakeholders of the benefits of integrating IPs and LCs into conservation efforts. By collaborating with social media influencers, government agencies, private sectors, and community-based organisations, they fostered public support and challenged perceptions that once underestimated the value of Indigenous conservation cultures.
Through this advocacy, IPs and LCs were empowered to lobby for their rights, advocate for their knowledge systems, and demonstrate the economic and ecological benefits of sustainable practices that had endured for millennia.
1. Policymakers
By 2050, Indigenous leaders have become key players in policymaking, ensuring that biodiversity conservation strategies are inclusive and equitable. Their voices are central to crafting forest land use, conservation, and climate change policies. This integration has led to the development of strategies that respect and utilise Indigenous knowledge systems, resulting in more robust conservation outcomes.
2. Educators and Advocates
Indigenous communities now play a significant role in educating the public about biodiversity and sustainable practices. They have successfully demonstrated the economic evidence behind these practices, proving that long-term sustainability yields higher economic value without unsustainable methods' environmental and social costs.
3. Adaptive Managers
With their centuries-long track record of adapting to changing environmental conditions, IPs and LCs have provided valuable insights into sustainability and climate resilience. Their adaptive management strategies are now globally recognised as critical tools in combating climate change.
4. Guardians of Traditional Knowledge
By 2050, Indigenous ecological knowledge has been fully integrated into modern conservation strategies. This knowledge, honed over generations, has become a cornerstone of biodiversity protection, bridging the gap between traditional and scientific approaches.
5. Leaders of Community-Based Management
Governments worldwide now acknowledge Indigenous leadership in community-based management. These communities have proven their ability to implement sustainable practices, even in the face of challenges like reduced forest sizes. Strengthening these efforts has restored ecosystems and improved livelihoods.
6. Champions of Ecosystem Restoration
Indigenous groups have driven culturally appropriate and successful efforts to regenerate ecosystems, from local restoration projects to global initiatives. Their traditional methods have proven practical and impactful, bringing degraded landscapes back to life.
The world of 2050 proves what can be achieved when the knowledge, leadership, and rights of Indigenous Peoples are valued and supported. Conservation organisations, governments, and private sectors played crucial roles in creating this reality by amplifying Indigenous voices and breaking down barriers.
Looking back, it’s clear that the path to sustainability was always intertwined with the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples.
Their roles—as policymakers, educators, adaptive managers, knowledge sharers, and restorers—have protected the planet and strengthened our world's social and cultural fabric. In 2050, we’ve proven that a sustainable future is one in which everyone’s voice is heard and no knowledge is left behind.
Disclaimer:
This article is set in the year 2050 and reflects a visionary perspective by Angel Niesje Manembu, board member of the Forest Conservation Fund (FCF), shares her visionary insights on how supported Indigenous leadership could transform the future of our planet. While rooted in today’s challenges and opportunities, it offers an aspirational glimpse into the future we strive to create through collaboration and action. To learn more about the Forest Conservation Fund and its mission, click here.
This article is also part of Earthworm Foundation’s special 25th-anniversary newsletter—discover more stories from 2050 here.
