I envision a world where we value cultural ecological services as highly as financial services. Without respecting the lands that we live on, we will not be able to sustainably survive off of it. Everyone has a right to safe and secure food, shelter, and drinking water.
As someone planning on working in climate/environmental spaces, it is our job to be listening to indigenous people, advocating for the land, and ensuring decisions about land use are favorable to the people already living on or using the land. By actively listening to marginalized voices, participating in protests against unfair practices, and continuing to learn and educate, we can make changes within the system to support people who are so often let down by it.
Examples of ecosystem services, image from https://mayneconservancy.ca/what-are-ecosystem-services/
Hi Chloe, I really enjoyed reading your post; it was well-informed and educating. I especially benefitted from the image you included about the types of ecosystem services. I agree, it is essential that we listen to marginalized voices in communities across the city/Province/State/Country; it is the only way we will stay up-to-date on the most pressing problems people are facing. Identifying the problems is the first step towards solving them.
Hey Chloe, the importance of respecting the land and its ecosystems is sooo critical. It's a foundation that which our ability to survive and coexist on this planet. Your emphasis on ensuring everyone's right to safe and secure food, shelter, and drinking water demonstrates this understanding of the interconnectedness of human well-being with the environement. The added diagram shows well these ways we can mitigate and consider our actions especially with things such as agriculture!
I think you are spot on. If not for ecosystem services, nothing else can really exist. I would even argue that we should place more value on ecosystem services than financial services, which is something that is not even close to being a reality at the moment.
well said. Ecosystem services should be valued by everyone, and not just for their economic value. The more we know the more we can care :)
Hi Chloe, I agree that it is important that we take into account the voices of the indigenous people. As they are the original residents of this land, it is only fair that we respect the land and let them participate in decisions that affect such land. In terms of helping to make the system more just, would personal and social participation be sufficient to make changes, or would legal or governmental actions also be necessary to support those who are marginalized?