{"id":45497,"date":"2020-10-20T11:13:07","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T09:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=45497"},"modified":"2025-08-26T17:32:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:32:05","slug":"indigenous-people-biodiversity-fortress-conservation-power-shift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/45497\/indigenous-people-biodiversity-fortress-conservation-power-shift\/","title":{"rendered":"To protect nature, bring down the walls of fortress conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The crisis signs couldn\u2019t be clearer: fires, floods, droughts, pandemic, species extinction… Earth is screaming with all her might. We need to listen, and to act.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

We must defend the planet\u2019s life support against relentless corporate greed<\/a> and rediscover humanity as part of the natural world<\/a>, for current and future generations. Restoring balance requires governments to heed the knowledge of communities who have listened deeply and worked with Mother Nature<\/a> for generations – and to recognise and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.<\/p>\n\n

\"Bagyeli
Solange Sanhgan, 29, a leader of the Bagyeli, a Pygmy community in South Cameroon fighting for their rights against Socapalm company and the expansion of palm oil and rubber production.
\u00a9 Micha Patault \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Business-as-usual backed by polluted politics is the problem. The same destructive systems that are stripping our forests and oceans of life are killing environmental defenders<\/a> and pushing people into peril<\/a>. To reset our relationship with nature, we need systemic change to the way we produce and consume food<\/a>, energy and natural resources. <\/p>\n\n

At every level of governance – from our local community to the UN biodiversity summit<\/a> – political decisions can aid a green and just recovery from crises, build resilience against future epidemics, and allow people and the planet to thrive. As governments collectively agree on next steps for global nature protection, it\u2019s clear we need a better plan<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Protecting at least 30% of land and oceans by 2030 can be an important component in planetary recovery. It\u2019s an ambitious, measurable target. A global safety net<\/a> preventing further degradation of critical eco-regions is essential and could halve the extinction risk<\/a> for species. But only if failed conservation models are discarded in favour of a global push to recognise customary land and reinforce people\u2019s rights<\/a> – this is key if countries are to protect biodiversity, fight inequality and attain their climate goals. <\/p>\n\n

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