When will we ever learn?

To deal with climate crisis, we need a major paradigm shift

From October 31 to November 13, world leaders gathered for the Conference of Parties 26 (COP26) in Glasgow, in an attempt to forge policies addressing the worldwide climate crisis. Several days after President Biden returned to the U.S., gas and oil drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico were auctioned off, by his administration. We are left to wonder if the initiatives agreed to at COP 26 are adequate; indeed, we are left to wonder if the developed world even understands the paradigm shift required, not to “undo” climate change (which is impossible) but to heal and develop our relationship with the planet and our fellow human and nonhuman animals. As representatives talked with one another in Glasgow, fires raged, floods continued, ice melted, and sea levels rose.

Those who are effected the most profoundly by the climate crisis are indigenous peoples. Here is a poignant and deeply relevant conversation with indigenous climate-justice activists from both hemispheres, facilitated by acclaimed trauma expert Gabor Maté:

The conversation features:

• Bayo Akomolafe, a Yoruba author, teacher, and activist

• Uncle Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, A Kalaalit elder, shaman, and storyteller

• Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, Athabascan climate-justice activist and executive director of Indigenous Climate Action