Maybe you are wondering what an Indigenous Climate Observatory is? We do not have a singular, or clear-cut answer, because what it is, what it becomes is defined by where it is located, who is involved, and how we learn together. As a starting point we questioned, how can we understand climate change, not through a ‘Western, Scientific’ Lens, but through local and Indigenous ways of knowing. How can we shift from thinking about climate change data as for example temperature measurements with precise temperature in Celsius to changes that we observe in the river? In the forest? What do the local communities perceive as important focus points to understand change? What does it mean when those focus points change? How should we think about dealing with these changes? And what connections do we need to make to help us to deal with climate change together.
With those questions, we came together, locally, as local researchers, local stakeholders and local communities and one researcher traveling between the places thereby connecting all the different explorations of a climate observatory. This website is a collection of stories of the different observatories and those involved in shaping it. Have fun and please get in touch if you are interested in exploring with us what an Indigenous/local climate observatory can look like!
This project is funded by the Crafoord Foundation, grant number 20220940.
- Intern Agnes reflections
Between September 2024 and January 2025, I, Agnes Elfvingsson, had the privilege to intern for Lizette Reitsma at Malmö University and participate in the Indigenous Climate Observatories project as a researcher intern. As my internship comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on my experience as part of the project. - SANORD Conference 2024
In December 2024 project coordinator Lizette Reitsma got to present the project at the SANORD conference in Cape Town. - Borneo Cultural Festival 2024
In August 2024 we were part of the Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu through an exhibition during which we let people make stamps while talking about the project with us. - PD Conference 2024
At the Participatory Design Conference 2024 held in Sibu we got an exciting opportunity: We got to introduce the project through the blankets to Indigenous Leaders who were part of the conference. We had deep conversations about the connections between our observations and other places and struggles within other communities. We talked about deeper meanings… Read more: PD Conference 2024 - First seedling to be planted in one of the communities
Today was an exciting day! We got to plant the first pepper bark seedling in one of the communities! Together with local leaders we chose the best spot for this little one: a local school, so that the children at this school can get to learn about the importance of the local trees. We hope… Read more: First seedling to be planted in one of the communities - Conference on Biodiversity 2024
In Eswatini we took part in the 6th Annual Eswatini Biodiversity conference 2024 through an exhibition and a presentation.