Let's include human heritage in climate adaptation conversations. The past written on the land has a lot to tell us about how to navigate what is to come. Indigenous wisdoms from all over the world remind us here in the west that we need to connect better to the land and to the past writ large on the land.And this in turn will help us collectively and personally navigate the climate crisis and the connection crisis of our time. I stand here today from an unusual position. I was a field archaeologist for som ...

In 2022 on the 15th of January, a volcano erupted in the kingdom of Toma. So powerful it echoed AC across the globe. It triggered tsunami waves impacting countries like Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and the United States of America. The most profound waves were not in the ocean. They were in the hearts of the people. I was part of a mental health team that traveled to Tonga. What we encountered was not just physical devastation, but emotional trauma. Children ran and hit, terrified that the er ...

Community & Cultural Preservation - The Karen people believe humans are born and die with trees and bamboo, highlighting the deep connection with nature [1] - The community's traditional rotational farming (rai muan wian) is misunderstood as destructive shifting cultivation, but it's actually a sustainable agricultural practice that promotes biodiversity and forest regeneration [1] - The Bo Hue ritual connects humans with nature and unseen forces, seeking permission for sustainable living and ensuring fire is used responsibly [1] - The community designates over 80% (21,000 rai total area, using less than 20%) of their land as protected forest and watershed areas, demonstrating a commitment to conservation [2] - The community successfully advocated for the establishment of their village, Doi Chang Pa Pae, as a special cultural protection zone, preserving their traditional way of life [1] Sustainable Practices & Innovation - The community employs controlled burns with firebreaks to manage land, preventing uncontrolled wildfires [1] - The community has developed innovative green firebreak technologies, including timer-operated sprinklers, IOT-controlled systems, and smoke detectors [2] Challenges & Advocacy - The community faced challenges when traditional rotational farming was deemed illegal, threatening their livelihoods and cultural heritage [1] - The community actively collects data (maps, GIS, GPS) to advocate for policy changes and negotiate with government agencies [1] - Despite conservation efforts, the community faces blame for environmental disasters like landslides and haze, highlighting societal misconceptions [2] - The community emphasizes that individual actions contribute to global warming and advocates for collective responsibility in protecting the planet [2]