Photo credit: www.conservation.org
Research indicates that over two-thirds of the tropical population, approximately 2.7 billion individuals, rely on nature to fulfill at least one of their essential needs. This finding comes from a new study published in the journal Global Environmental Change, which highlights the critical reliance of these communities on natural resources and the risks posed by climate change and environmental degradation.
The study’s lead author, Giacomo Fedele of Conservation International, discussed with Conservation News the multifaceted relationships between humans and nature, the major threats to tropical ecosystems, and how nations can foster climate justice for the populations most dependent on natural resources.
Question: Who qualifies as “nature-dependent,” and where are these communities found?
Answer: Nature-dependent individuals are defined as those who utilize natural resources to meet at least one of their basic needs, which include drinking water, materials for shelter, energy for cooking, and livelihoods. Further analysis reveals that about 1.2 billion people are classified as “highly nature-dependent,” relying on natural resources for three or more of these four categories.
Our research, based on interviews with over 5 million households across 85 tropical nations, reveals that the highest concentration of highly nature-dependent individuals exists in Africa’s tropical regions, comprising nearly half of the population—approximately 478 million people. These communities, primarily situated in the Congo Basin and East Africa, depend on nature for all their fundamental requirements, with a significant reliance on wood and charcoal for cooking energy.
In the Asia-Pacific region, about 278 million people—over a quarter of the populace—are categorized as highly nature-dependent, particularly in places like New Guinea, the lower Mekong basin, and the Ganges River basin, where local ecosystems are essential for energy and housing materials.
Similarly, in tropical regions of the Americas, 9 percent of the population—around 48 million people—heavily depend on nature for their livelihoods, engaging in activities such as agriculture, forest product harvesting, and fishing. The primary population of nature-dependent individuals in this area resides in the upper Amazon plains, Guyana, and Central America.
Q: What distinguishes your research from previous studies?
A: It is well-documented that ecosystems, especially their carbon storage capabilities, play a vital role in combatting climate change. Studies suggest these ecosystems can contribute to 30 percent of the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed for climate stabilization. However, previously lacking were quantitative insights identifying the most crucial areas for ecological conservation that would benefit both the environment and the communities reliant on it.
This research is crucial as climate change poses significant threats to nature-dependent populations in tropical regions. Essentially, this issue reflects aspects of climate justice; communities that contribute the least to global emissions often suffer the most from the consequences of climate shifts, including rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions.
Q: How can this research influence policy to address climate justice?
A: Understanding the geographical distribution of nature-dependent communities aids governments and policymakers in crafting effective conservation and sustainable development strategies tailored to the resources these communities depend on. Nonetheless, the challenges extend beyond climate change; even minor environmental alterations can severely affect these populations. Challenges such as logging, unsustainable agricultural practices, and mining can jeopardize access to food, clean water, housing materials, and overall livelihoods.
This underscores the necessity of adapting conservation policies locally, considering the needs and aspirations of affected communities throughout the design and application of conservation strategies.
For instance, establishing protected areas might be suitable in nations like Suriname and Guyana, which boast unspoiled ecosystems. However, in countries rich in nature-dependent communities such as Cambodia or the Democratic Republic of Congo, implementing community-driven natural resource management or climate-smart agricultural practices may yield better outcomes.
The study advocates for nature-based initiatives designed to protect, restore, or sustainably manage ecosystems, promoting inclusive human development alongside environmental preservation.
Q: Conservation International is engaged in a project in southern Africa addressing some of these issues. Can you share details about this initiative?
A: Local Indigenous groups, including the Mnisi peoples near Kruger National Park in South Africa and communities in Limpopo National Park, have historically raised cattle but have faced challenges such as overgrazing that harmed their grassland ecosystems. Conservation International’s Herding 4 Health program supports farmers across six African countries, impacting over 1.5 million hectares of rangeland, by instilling wildlife-friendly and climate-smart agricultural practices that restore their essential natural resources.
The program enables rural communities to adopt planned grazing strategies, manage invasive vegetation, and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. In exchange, participants benefit from enhancing their livestock quality, minimizing wildlife-related losses, and gaining access to livestock markets.
A critical element of this project is its attention to the needs and priorities of nature-dependent farmers, who stand to suffer the most from the degradation of grasslands. Emphasizing nature in sustainable development is the most effective means of achieving benefits for the climate, wildlife, and human populations.
Source
www.conservation.org