Colonial land dispossession and governance exclusion heighten Māori climate vulnerability
Original framing: “Māori climate risk worsened by colonization, report finds” — bing news
Māori environmental knowledge systems, such as mātauranga Māori, provide holistic frameworks for climate resilience that have been systematically excluded from national policy. Reintegrating these systems into climate planning is essential for equitable adaptation.
The report underscores that Māori climate vulnerability is not a natural outcome but a systemic consequence of colonial governance structures that exclude Indigenous decision-making.
By integrating mātauranga Māori into environmental policy, we can not only enhance climate resilience but also address historical injustices. This aligns with global Indigenous movements advocating for self-determination in the face of climate change. The path forward requires dismantling colonial frameworks and rebuilding governance systems that recognize Indigenous sovereignty. Such a shift is not only just but also scientifically and ecologically necessary for long-term sustainability.