Safeguarding Biodiversity through Indigenous and Local Knowledge for Climate Change Resilience

Challies, Edward and Amosa, Patila and Brodie, Gilianne D. and De Ramon N'Yeurt, Antoine and Pollard, Edgard and Rashni, Bindiya and Waqa-Sakiti, Hilda F.V. (2024) Safeguarding Biodiversity through Indigenous and Local Knowledge for Climate Change Resilience. In: Voices of the Pacific: Climate Crisis, Adaptation and Resilience. Voices of the Pacific, 1 . University of Canterbury and the University of the South Pacific, Canterbury, New Zealand and Suva, Fiji, pp. 271-314. ISBN 978-0-473-72112-1

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Abstract

This chapter highlights the fundamental importance of biodiversity to the health and spiritual well-being of the Pacific region and people, and to the health of our planet, especially in the context of climate change. The Pacific is internationally recognised for its vast ocean and exceptional biodiversity which for centuries has sustained life, provided food, medicine, and resources for highly diverse cultural and traditional practices. Addressing and mitigating the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the Pacific region requires a holistic perspective from terrestrial to freshwater and marine environments, including impacts on areas of both high (hotspot) and low (cool spot) biodiversity in unison with the unique human communities they sustain. The importance of local cultures, practices and Indigenous knowledge in maintaining and building responses to climate impacts, such as the role of ‘nature-based’ approaches, are discussed. We explore how the interconnected processes of climate change and biodiversity loss threaten balanced social-ecological outcomes on our islands in the Pacific and showcase how climate change responses that are embedded in nature and culture can be led by local communities in partnership with local and national governments. Key policy recommendations and research gaps are also identified, including the need for strengthened connection to the private sector, ecosystem services valuations that clearly reflect the economic value of habitat and biodiversity and a just transition to sustainable economic development via engagement with local communities, business, and industry. Only by working together, fully utilizing existing information and understanding each other’s perspectives can we reduce ecosystem disruption, achieve integrated biodiversity conservation and foster sustainable climate change resilience.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Pacific, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Conservation, Indigenous Knowledge
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography Q Science > QC Physics > QC980-999 Climatology and weather Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions:	Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD)
Depositing User:	Antoine N'Yeurt
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2025 23:22
Last Modified:	10 Dec 2025 23:22
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/15155

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