Strengthens Biological Diversity
Human cultural diversity should be considered part of our global
biodiversity. Since humans are part of ecosystems then human diversity
should be considered part of biodiversity. Gadgil, Berkes, and Folke
(1993) state that ecosystem resiliency is probably the most critical
ecosystem property to sustain and that long term human experiences in
ecosystems are most likely of vital importance. Berkes, Folke, and Gadgil
(1994) state that Traditional Knowledge will help design more effective
conservation of biological diversity. We agree. Like genetic or species
diversity, diverse human cultures represent potential solutions for human
survival, in diverse environments and preparedness for changing
conditions. Merculieff (personal communication: 1997) stated that nature
teaches us that diversity is an essential component of survival and that
the world drift to a monoculture is a threat to human survival. He
referred to singular languages, economies and learning. Will our highly
technological and convenience-based lifestyle with little connection with
nature get us in the end? If we spread this lifestyle to all the world,
how prepared are future generations to face major environmental change? In
that scramble, will biological diversity be sacrificed? Apanguluk Charlie
Kairaiuak (Kairaiuak ND), a Yupik Inuit Eskimo from Alaska states: For
thousands of years, they (indigenous people) have maintained a spiritual
relationship with all living things and have always shown respect and
honor to them. It is because of this communal relationship that Native
people have developed a management and regulatory system specifically
designed to ensure that all of the resources they use are harvested in a
way such that the strength of those resources is always enhanced. We began
comparing the messages between Traditional Knowledge and teachings of
recognized great American conservationists. How familiar Traditional
Knowledge sounds to the great writings of Leopold (1949), Carson (1962),
Humphrey (1976), Udall (1972), Thomas (1986), Thomas and others (1993).
Yet, only indigenous cultures have proven they can live this ethic over
thousands of years.
Call for Leadership
The United States must provide more leadership in protecting the
environment and cultural diversity. Like it or not, we perform poorly at
home and we are viewed as an example to the world (Chafee 1996). The
United States finances development projects through the Agency for
International Development, the Export-Import Bank of The United States,
and the Overseas Profit and Investment Corporation. We believe these
activities are important. However, protection for the environment must be
assured. We now know that it is more important than once thought (Carnegie
Endowment National Commission 1992; Christopher 1996a, 1996b; WRI-WCU-VNEP
1992; World Bank 1995). Developing nations are struggling and creating
environmental damage (Christopher 1996a, 1996b). Former Secretary of State
Warren Christopher's policy on the environment (Christopher 1996a) is a
critical leadership initiative in world environmental protection.
Recognizing that America's national economic and security interests are
inextricably linked to the quality of the earth's environment, the policy
calls for US leadership to support sustainable development in developing
nations to help establish political stability, stronger trading partners,
reduced reliance on foreign assistance, prevent humanitarian catastrophes,
and help conserve biological diversity. Traditional Knowledge and
collaboration with indigenous people can and must be part of America's
foreign policy. Senator Sam Nunn said: "There is a new and different
threat to our national security emerging - the destruction of our
environments" (Bidlack 1996). We are particularly struck by what has
happened in Siberia and the Russian Far East (Romoli 1995; Garelik 1996;
Newell and Wilson 1996).