Local Wisdom Vs Global Warming

Posted on 08. Apr, 2011 by Goris Mustaqim in Indonesia

Here we are, waiting again under uncertainties over direction of Climate Talks. We were sitting again on endless hope there would something called ‘deal’ of the conference. An intense lobby, discussion held as the conference getting close to the end on Friday, 8 April. We didn’t have an access to the negotiations of two Ad-Hoc Groups, which working on Long term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA) and Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP). We’ve heard some speculations among the observers about what possibly happen on Friday.

Here, at the middle of crowd, I’m start wondering where we’re at. What took us gathered here so far? What we had achieved at Kyoto, Bali, Cancun, and what would be happened at Durban, also next year as critical year on Climate Agreement. I am wondering we don’t have to be here if we live a life wisely as our ancestor teaches us live in harmony in same earth. We don’t have to live like an ancient; we should look back to our local wisdom, and learn how to implement it proportionally.

In my country, Indonesia, there are more than 100 tribes with their own language and culture. I could say that every ethnic group has their own local wisdom. For example, sundanese (people live in West Java provinces) know idiom “Leuweung ruksak, cai beak, hirup balangsak” which means, ”No Forest, No Water, No Future”. Furthermore, our ancestor already have conception about forest utilization, which part are forbidden, which part for conservation, and which part can be used for commercial purpose. Another prove about their concern to the environment is so many location in West Java Province which started by word ‘Ci’, which means ‘Water’ in Sundanese. Those philosophy is still relevant with current situation, even just like principle of sustainable development.

In Bali, there is also principle of balance with the earth, they have annual silent day called ‘Nyepi’, where they reflect their relationship with the universe. That also exists in indigenous people of Borneo Island, etc. I believe that every nation has its own local wisdom or values which guide them to survive, so we have to look over it, and keep them alive.

Regarding local wisdom, we were quite satisfied that Last COP in Cancun adopted Article 6 which call all governments to educate, empower and engage all stakeholders and major groups on policies relating to climate change. During Bangkok, I talked to delegation that governments are ready working in partnership with civil society to fulfill the commitments. They also address the issue of climate change related education, training and public awareness in national action plan which would launch on the end of April. It would be best chance for civil society especially youth to pave the way to more “climate friendly” generation in the future.

 

Tags: Adopt a Negotiator, Bangkok, climate change, featured, Indonesia, UNFCCC