Latin America traditionally has had a very close relationship with the earth, but the progress of the big cities and modernity has taken most of the population away from its origins. Products from the soil have been replaced by artificial ingredients that imitate organic results but, in the end, harm consumers in some way.
The reduction of indigenous communities made the transmission of knowledge to future generations difficult. In recent times, young people have not shown much interest in absorbing all the ideas, information and customs that these groups had maintained and perfected over the years. But the need for change, due to problems of sustainability, has motivated many people to return to their origins in order to live a more environmentally friendly life.
Climate change is one of the main concerns today, which is why environmental NGOs are studying the impact and looking for solutions. In Cusco-Peru, the Andes Association and Patronato Machu Picchu try to raise awareness about biodiversity and conservation programs, with research and projects such as the Zurite Andes, the Potato Park, among others.
These associations promote sensitivity and a sense of responsibility in the communities, showing how past civilizations were able to live in harmony with nature.
“The citizen first has to see around him, secondly he has to act for the benefit of his society, not expecting recognition or economic benefit, but contributing, because as an heir you have a responsibility. Of what you were given you must leave something better for the next generation,” says Carmen Arróspide, Founder of the Patronato Machu Picchu.
The conservation projects are carried out together with indigenous communities, in areas such as cultural, biological and genetic heritage, the preservation of Andean crops and seeds, maintaining the rights over genetic resources, the sustainable use of wealth, food security and sovereignty, and guaranteeing a register of Peruvian germplasm.
These foundations cooperate in the establishment of sustainable communities and all the actions are managed by the communities through micro-enterprises. The business models seek to coexist with the environment, where production is not predatory.
The vision is focused on cooperative, creative and innovative management, for example, in the Potato Park there are programs and products that extend beyond the traditional context; there are natural cosmetics, agrotourism and innovative foods based on the potato.
Indigenous peoples know how to live in harmony with the environment, so they take what they need to survive, knowing that mismanagement of resources leads to land degradation. This knowledge makes them a key player in biodiversity conservation.
“They coexist with the environment in a way that does not seek to appropriate and create merchandise. It seeks instead a coexistence with nature that can generate a balance and not a destruction as we are living now,” says Alejandro Argumedo, Director of Andes Association.
Currently, foundations and indigenous communities are looking for a relationship of respect with the modern world and that of their ancestors, because it is not possible to live in the past; on the contrary, cooperation must be created that takes into account current problems and possible threats to the future.
“Here, we believe that the radical change of paradigms is to return to the future. The time for the Andean people is circular, if you ask someone in the rural areas about tomorrow, they will point backwards. So, the way time and space is seen is very different, which is key to seeing these processes of change,” Argumedo explains.
Climate change projections in the Andean region create a very uncertain future outlook. The reduction of the tropical snow-capped peaks in the last few decades has generated concern in the region, because people depend on water for drinking and agriculture, but in addition the imbalance can also impact other nearby ecosystems such as the Amazon.
In order to prevent a break in the ecological balance, it is important to consider the way in which the indigenous populations have worked throughout history. In agricultural matters, these communities use techniques to adapt to the land, for example, agricultural terraces that prevent soil erosion.
These communities have also experimented with crops that adapt to extreme conditions, which could help in future scenarios. In addition, they respect resources by feeling connected to the environment and not believing themselves to be its owners. This way of life allows them to preserve nature and restore the damage done over the years.
Image credit: Rod Waddington