#EarthDay 🌱 We must listen to indigenous peoples!

#EarthDay2022 🌱 There is no time. We must listen to indigenous peoples' wisdom!

Indigenous peoples are protectors of the forests & guardians of the world's last intact ecosystems. If we are to tackle global climate and biodiversity crises, we must learn what indigenous peoples have to say.

✊ There's no time for more smokescreens, false solutions that only distract us from the real action. There's no time for greenwashing full of lies. We need Just Transition: and indigenous and local communities' knowledge must be at the center.

Read the full powerful testimonies our indigenous friends below!

“Our planet is biodiversity, just like the customs and cultures of people of different races that are connected to each other. Indigenous peoples are the ones who preserve and maintain the balance of the environmental resources scattered around the world. Shifting cultivation of the Karen hill tribe is the answer of humankind.”

Kriangkrai Cheechuang

Indigenous activist

“Grandpa Ko-ee had been in the forest for a hundred years, and the forest is still a forest – abundant and clad in green throughout the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Wherever indigenous peoples are, there are always lush forests all around.”

Pinnapha “Muenoor” Phrueksapan

Indigenous Karen activist & wife of the disappeared human rights defender Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen

“Learn the way of life of the indigenous peoples who live in harmony with nature without destroying the environment. Learn to heal and reap the benefits of nature. And learn to make the most of nature without incurring damage. We can also study medicine from indigenous peoples by employing the best advantage of nature.”

Yondmonsang Yungeng

LGBTIQ+ indigenous activist at Young Pride Club

“I want people to learn about the identity of the indigenous peoples through our daily lives. Our lifestyles reflect perspectives in every dimension according to each stage of rituals, situations, and livelihoods – transmitted through indigenous cultures. Understanding our identity is learning from multiple perspectives. And that will build good relationships as well.”

Katima Leeja

Lisu woman human rights defender

"On this World Earth Day, on behalf of indigenous women in Thailand, I would like to urge my friends, family, and everyone to become a part of making change. Like our Pw aka nyaw tribe (Karen hill tribe), there is a proverbial saying, ‘เอาะก่อกอตอก่อ เอาะทีก่อตอที’ means ‘Living in the forest must protect the forest. If you eat in the land, you have to preserve the land.’ Let’s do that, everyone.”

Noraeri Thungmueangthong

Karen activist & community leader

#OurPlanetOurHealth #JustTransition #ClimateJustice #IndigenousPeoples #Karen #Indigenous #EarthMonth #EarthMonth2022 #BigPharma #CorporateCapture #SaveBangkloi #SaveOmkoi #environmentaljustice #thailand #whatshappeninginthailand #omkoi #coalmining