Keepers of Our Future
And the world keeps moving on, untroubled — or, in the best case, unaware — of the damage we inflict on nature. It’s a relationship in crisis. Fortunately, The Biodiversity Plan offers paths to mend it. Target 22 is a prime example of its wisdom, calling for inclusive participation in biodiversity decisions, respecting rights, cultures, and justice.
The target is instrumental. It asks us to pause and listen to nature, to see it through the eyes of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. We must respect their knowledge and cultures and include them in all decision-making. It makes so much sense. The wisdom of those who live closest to nature is vast. Thinkers like Robin Wall Kimmerer – whose wonderful books The Serviceberry, Braiding Sweetgrass, and Gathering Moss offer deep insights.
The target also highlights the rights of children and youth and environmental human rights defenders. As children, we were told to always clean up after ourselves. We must have forgotten. Right now, we are leaving an inexcusable mess for our children. No wonder they express both anger and depression.
Why should we listen to these voices? They just ask us to live better lives. To not define ourselves by consumption. To stop exploiting the planet and let wisdom and our inner compass guide us. To appreciate life and find real values in our connection to all things living. To always act with courage and empathy.
Their call to action aligns perfectly with the principles of The Inner Development Goals.
The target also mentions women and girls – a crucial aspect that we will cover in our next post about the plan’s last target!
Ensure Inclusive Participation in Biodiversity Decisions, Respecting Rights, Cultures and Justice
Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.