“Piece by piece, our identity is being dragged into the depths of the sea…”
– MOHAMMED HIZYAM
16 YEARS OLD YOUTH ACTIVIST, MALDIVES (VIDEO MESSAGE)
The climate crisis permeates almost every aspect of human life. From rising temperatures to loss of entire communities and territories, the climate crisis affects humanity as a whole. Its impacts however are more pervasive on those living in vulnerable conditions. Low-lying small islands, indigenous peoples, rural people, women and girls, persons with disabilities, and those living in poverty are among the already marginalized communities that face the dire consequences of climate change. Unsurprisingly, those who bear the impacts are almost always those least responsible, while those who benefit from climate change-inducing activities are rarely faced with the real consequences. The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College recently presented a webinar featuring experts on the connections between human rights, cultural rights and climate change, highlighting the new report by the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Ms. Karima Bennoune.
The enjoyment of cultural rights is being curtailed by extreme weather conditions that prevent people from exercising their cultural practices. The climate crisis is also threatening the lives of entire communities, including their traditional ancestral knowledge, customs and identities. In spite of this direct connection, most cultural rights discussions tend to overlook the climate crisis, and vice versa. As a result, the UN Special Rapporteur’s latest report presented to the UN General Assembly on October 22nd, 2020 called for a tripartite integration of cultural rights and climate change initiatives within the human rights framework. The Special Rapporteur argued that climate change and cultural extinction are in fact a human rights crisis, and as such the call for action needs to include all aspects of the triad.
Cultural rights can act as tools to fight climate change. Implementing traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and others that live in regions prone to disappear can help address the ongoing climate crisis. Preserving not only cultural heritage, but also these communities’ relationship with nature and modes of living can be of crucial utility in our current existential fight. This fight requires reimagining our relationship with nature, and these communities can help in achieving such paradigm change.
Gender equality also plays a pivotal role in the fight against climate change. The impacts of the climate crisis are highly gendered, and exacerbate pre-existing inequalities. But most importantly, women are key actors and can be agents of change in addressing the crisis. Unfortunately, women tend to be underrepresented in climate-related decision-making. IANGEL contributed to this discussion in response to the Special Rapporteur’s call for submissions to inform her report on Climate Change and Cultural Rights. IANGEL’s report focuses on the gendered dimensions of climate change from an action-driven perspective. The report highlights the differentiated causes and effects of climate change on women, which result from underlying conditions based on sexist views and stereotypes. The research indicates that a gender-neutral perspective of this issue can perpetuate systems of oppression against women, and that women should not only be seen as victims, but also as drivers of change. IANGEL is proud to announce that its report was cited by Ms. Bennoune for these points in her report to the UN General Assembly.
One of the main takeaways from Ms. Bennoune’s report, as stated by Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is the people-centered approach that she insists on. In order for humanity to overcome the climate crisis. As described by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David Boyd, Ms. Bennoune’s report is both powerful and compelling, and it adds to the growing chorus of UN experts advocating for acknowledging the comprehensive impact of climate change.
The report ends with a clear and urgent call for action. To prevent more damage from the climate crisis, we must change the way humans interact with nature, and respect the cultural rights of all people, including those who are vulnerable, marginalized and currently facing extinction due to climate change. Adequate funding for community organizers, and a science-based education that takes into account cultural environmental knowledge are necessary first steps. The Special Rapporteur urges states to apply a rights-based approach to all aspects of climate change, paying particular consideration to cultural rights and impacts, and ensuring the full participation of those most affected.