This group makes up just 6% of the global population, but protects up to 80% of our remaining biodiversity. Meet the most committed keepers of planet Earth. We created this video in partnership with Freethink for Rethinking Possible, a collection of real stories developed by Skoll Foundation and brought to life by Freethink.
The daily lives of Indigenous peoples are being criminalized, but they’re fighting back. Governments and corporations are displacing Indigenous communities like the Maasai in Tanzania and exploiting their valuable resources. Indigenous communities are being relocated in the name of conservation, and their land is then used for profit.
Despite facing eviction and rights violations, these communities continue to protect their natural homelands. Indigenous peoples make up 6% of the global population but protect 60-80% of remaining biodiversity. Now, thanks to organizations like Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International (IPRI), they are able to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights on a global scale.
With IPRI and others’ help, the Maasai took their case to the UN, resulting in international pressure on Tanzania. The European Union even pulled its conservation funding in response.
As climate change threatens our planet, supporting indigenous land rights is crucial. These communities are not just fighting for their homes, but for the protection of vital ecosystems that benefit us all. Their story reminds us that respecting human rights and protecting the environment must go hand in hand.
