Tune in for live stream of Indigenous peoples confront false climate solutions

Protecting tropical forests is important in the fight against global climate change, but Indigenous Peoples are lining up against what they consider a false solution to the climate crisis.

As part of California’s commitment to reduce global warming, the state is exploring using rainforests in Central America, South America and elsewhere as “carbon sinks.” The state is studying whether to permit tropical forests to be used as carbon offsets, and allow California companies to  keep polluting by purchasing these offsets. However, Indigenous Peoples live in these forests, and these offsets — also known as REDD offsets — run a high risk of undermining their sovereignty, rights and way of life.

Carbon offsets are inherently problematic as a supposed climate solution, in that they delay action to reduce actual pollution, perpetuate pollution hotspots (for example in refinery towns such as Richmond, California) and are not properly regulated. REDD offsets are the riskiest type of carbon offset around; so far no governmental carbon trading system in the world allows them, largely because of concerns around Indigenous rights.

Tonight in the David Brower Center in Berkeley, Calif., Friends of the Earth and the Indigenous Environmental Network, along with several other organizations, present an evening of discussion about the struggles of Indigenous Peoples working against this false solution to climate change. The event, which will be live streamed below, will include a screening of the short film “A Darker Shade of Green,” and presentations from Indigenous leaders from the U.S., Mexico and Ecuador. Speakers include:

• José Carmelio Alberto Nunes of the Federation of the Hui Kuni people in Acre, Brazil,
• Rosario Aguilar of the health collective Tsunel Bej,
• Berenice Sanchez Lozada of the Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Against REDD and for Life,
• Gloria Ushigua of the Association of Zápara Women,
• Marlon Santi of Sarayaku and Ecuador’s indigenous movement and
• Tom Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network

Photo credit: Ian MacKenzie

Watch the live stream below: