By Monroe Dikiny, Joel Onyango & Benard Simiyu.

Overview

Human beings have an intertwined relationship with climate, depending on and impacting one another. This extends beyond the human capacity to rely on modern technology and innovations to solve their day-to-day activities.

Climate influences what humans eat and drink, where they stay, and how and where they move. It affects how humans earn a living and regulates the availability of food and water, health, and well-being. Climate affects the whole ecosystem upon which humans rely to provide and access goods and services.

Human activities significantly influence climate in various ways. Scientific evidence shows that the Earth has been warming at an unprecedented rate, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Over time, these activities have increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, intensifying the natural greenhouse effect and causing Earth’s temperatures to rise to high levels never recorded in human history. These greenhouse gases are the most significant driver of observable climate change.

Climate change, a long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns, is recorded as the greatest threat to humanity. It severely impacts poverty reduction and development efforts, especially in developing countries. Africa is particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on natural resources and limited capacity to cope with climate risks, highlighting the urgent need for climate change mitigation. This situation only exacerbates challenges across African nations. According to an analysis by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the sooner we act on climate change mitigation, the more likely we are to manage the crisis at a relatively lower cost within the next 10 to 15 years.

The solar radiation is converted into various forms whenever the sun’s rays reach the Earth's surface. Plants utilize a significant portion of photosynthesis, while some are converted into solar energy and stored by receptors. The excess radiation is reflected into the atmosphere to prevent excessive temperature increases from overexposure. The greenhouse effect on Earth is crucial for regulating temperatures by trapping heat from the sun with particular gases in our atmosphere. Without these greenhouse gases, Earth would be much colder.

Greenhouse Gases used to be stable over 10,000 years ago; this has recently changed drastically. Over the past centuries, human activities, like industrialization and burning fossil fuels, have increased greenhouse gas levels, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). The gases escape to the atmosphere and form a layer that prevents the sun’s radiations when they bounce back from the ground to penetrate space. It thus causes a warming effect that results in the rise of average global temperature over time. This phenomenon is called “greenhouse effect”.

The rise of average global temperature is known as global warming, and there are various ways that global warming has caused climate change. These include temperature rise, extreme weather, melting ice from the global poles and high altitude areas, rise of sea levels, acidification of oceans, loss of both plant and animal species, increased wildfires, droughts, food and water scarcity, and health risks. To mitigate severe long-term consequences of climate change, the IPCC stresses the significance of capping the rise in global average temperature at no more than 2°C. This goal necessitates a minimum 50% reduction in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), by 2050. As a result, the allowable emissions quota for the future is set to become significantly limited.

Growing evidence shows that well-maintained communities and Indigenous land can help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, many countries have yet to adopt policies that can protect and restore these lands in their development plans. This blog was written after being invited to a 2-day workshop at Buraha Zenoni Resort in Nakuru, organized by the Ogiek People Development Program (OPDP) from 6th June to 7th June 2024. It will explore the critical intersection of Indigenous practices, community resilience, and modern carbon markets in addressing climate change. By examining the Ogiek community's traditional environmental stewardship and their potential participation in carbon markets, the blog will highlight how integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern conservation methods can enhance efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This discussion is relevant for policymakers, environmental advocates, and community leaders seeking sustainable solutions to climate challenges while respecting and empowering Indigenous communities.

Key Highlights

Forests serve as carbon sinks, absorbing more CO2 from the atmosphere than they release

Carbon dioxide is one of the most significant greenhouse gases, contributing significantly to climate change. About 45% of C02 emitted by humans remains in the atmosphere, and oceans and land surfaces absorb the rest. Forests play a crucial role in storing carbon and mitigating climate change by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Trees and plants absorb CO2 and convert it to oxygen and biomass, storing carbon in their trunks, branches, leaves, and roots. This method reduces the quantity of CO2 in the atmosphere, mitigating climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, forests retain carbon in soil and organic matter, strengthening their significance as carbon sinks.

The Kyoto Protocol encourages countries to enhance carbon uptake in forests. While forests offset a significant portion of fossil fuel emissions, reducing deforestation rates is key for immediate CO2 emission mitigation. Models suggest forests will continue to sequester carbon until mid-century, after which factors like climate change could affect carbon storage. Sustainable forest management is crucial to maintaining global carbon balance and minimizing climate impacts. Planting new forests and restoring existing ones can help combat climate change by expanding forested areas that effectively absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Impacts of Climate Change on the Ogiek Community

A Focused Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted, where members discussed the impacts of climate change on their communities. These impacts have severely affected three pillars of livelihood: environmental, economic, and social. Some members of the community became emotional as they shared their devastating experiences. One individual recounted the tragic loss of two schoolchildren who drowned during recent floods in Kenya. Increased mudslides and landslides in the highlands were also reported. These communities heavily rely on beekeeping for their livelihood, which has been disrupted. Evictions of Indigenous community members from Mau Forest have led to a rise in the number of Internally Displaced People. Behavioural changes among community members were also noted. Additionally, human-wildlife conflicts have increased due to competition for dwindling resources, driven by irregular rainfall patterns, loss of water catchment areas, and severe droughts. There have been extreme heatwaves and deteriorating hygiene conditions among the community members.

How the Ogiek Community Contributes to Environmental Preservation

There is a worldwide recognition of how communities and indigenous land rights can mitigate climate change. This has received backing from the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change through its 2018 Special Report on Climate Change and Land. The indigenous communities have long understood the importance of preserving the environment. This knowledge was passed down through generations by the elders, who ensured the continuation of certain practices.

Recent studies indicate that approximately 36% of the world's "intact forests," extensive areas of undeveloped natural forest, are situated on indigenous territories and managed more effectively than non-indigenous regions. These pristine forests are essential for carbon sequestration, biodiversity preservation, water supply regulation, and various ecosystem services vital for local livelihoods and societal well-being.

The Ogiek community, identified by the Ndungu Commission as a leading example of Indigenous minorities whose lifestyles rely on forest habitats, demonstrates a strong commitment to preserving their environment through various cultural practices and conservation methods. Within the community, there is a clear emphasis on ethical hunting practices, particularly during the transition of young boys into adulthood. Family leaders highlight the importance of conservation principles to prevent breaches, with the elders' assembly empowered to enforce consequences for violators.

The Ogiek community upholds spiritual beliefs emphasizing the interconnectedness between themselves and the environment, understanding that adherence to these mandates is essential to avoid divine retribution. Certain trees like “silibwet” and "Chelumbut" are protected within the community due to their role in attracting honeybees to beehives, which are a critical source of livelihood. Cutting down these trees is regarded as depriving the community of sustenance, reinforcing the prohibition against such actions.

They actively document the locations and traditional uses of medicinal plants in their territory and monitor for illegal activities such as logging and charcoal production. Their sustainable forest management practices, including rotational farming and selective logging, contribute to resource regeneration, while cultural taboos and controlled burning techniques help maintain a healthy forest ecosystem. Agroforestry practices enhance biodiversity, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration, and participatory forest management ensures community engagement in conservation efforts. Through advocacy and legal actions, the Ogiek work to protect their forest rights and contribute to preserving their ancestral lands. The Ogiek's deep connection to their forests and commitment to sustainable practices exemplify a harmonious relationship between culture, conservation, and environmental preservation.

Integrating Indigenous Practices with Modern Techniques for Effective Carbon Reduction Projects

Indigenous cultural beliefs and practices play a vital role in environmental conservation, especially within systems often dominated by scientific worldviews. The Ogiek people exemplify this connection; primarily farmers and beekeepers, they have adapted their lifestyles to thrive alongside the forests. For the Ogiek, the forest is not just a resource, but a source of material and cultural needs, with honey production being a cornerstone of their economy.

Recognizing their deep knowledge and appreciation for the forests, there is potential for these communities to engage with carbon markets. A carbon market is a system where carbon credits are bought and sold, with each credit representing the removal or reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. These markets are designed to incentivize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by allowing entities that exceed their emission limits to purchase excess credits from those who manage to reduce their emissions below a set threshold.

By participating in carbon markets, communities like the Ogiek can monetize their efforts in forest preservation, generating income while actively contributing to global climate change mitigation. It is essential to find ways to integrate traditional cultural practices with modern conservation methods to create a more holistic approach to environmental stewardship. This can be accomplished by following these steps:

1. Gather as a community to identify a project to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This process involves establishing a baseline scenario, which outlines what would occur in the absence of the project. For instance, consider a project focused on preserving 10 hectares of forest cover. The baseline scenario would be determined using historical data to illustrate the expected outcomes if the project were not implemented. This approach ensures that the project's impact on GHG emissions can be accurately assessed and compared to the baseline scenario.
2. Implement modern remote sensing technologies for monitoring, planning, and data collection. By employing these advanced tools, the project can accurately track changes and gather essential data, enhancing the precision of the baseline scenario and the project's impact assessment. This approach ensures that the preservation of the 10 hectares of forest cover, for instance, can be meticulously monitored and evaluated, providing reliable data to support the project's effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Quantify the emission reduction by making informed assumptions. For example, if 1 hectare of forest cover sequesters approximately 10,000 tons of CO2, preserving 500 hectares would sequester around 5,000,000 tons of CO2. Based on such assumptions, this quantification allows a clear understanding of the project's potential impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By combining this with precise data from modern remote sensing technologies, the project can provide robust evidence of its effectiveness in mitigating climate change.
4. Apply established methodologies to avoid unplanned and undetermined deforestation to ensure the project's rigour and credibility. This systematic approach ensures that the project's contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions are scientifically sound and verifiable.
5. Verification and issuance of carbon credits. A third party will validate the project to ensure it meets all the methodology's requirements. They will also verify the carbon reductions, which will be submitted to the registry in a verification report. Once this is validated, a certifier will issue a carbon credit certificate, and the community will be allowed to sell carbon credits.

Conclusion

The Ogiek community exemplifies the profound connection between Indigenous knowledge and environmental conservation, showcasing how their traditional practices can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation. By engaging in carbon markets, the Ogiek will preserve their cultural heritage and livelihoods and play a vital role in global efforts to combat climate change. Recognizing and integrating Indigenous practices into modern conservation strategies is essential as the world grapples with rising temperatures and environmental degradation. This collaborative approach can foster sustainable development, promote biodiversity, and enhance the resilience of both human and natural systems, ultimately paving the way for a healthier planet.

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References

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