Bringing knowledge systems together for real-world resilience

When we talk about climate change, biodiversity loss, and disaster risk, we often start with data. But where I come from, we start with relationships. With land, with water, with more-than-human life.

In my presentation at second GEO Open House Webinar, I shared the simple truth that these risks are not new for Indigenous communities. What is new is the scale and speed. Climate stress, ecosystem degradation, and water insecurity are intensifying across Indigenous territories, and they are deeply interconnected.

And these challenges cannot be understood through Earth observations alone.

Bringing Earth observations and Indigenous knowledge together

Earth observations give us powerful tools to see patterns, track change and monitor risk. But this does not tell the whole story.

Indigenous knowledge is place-based, lived, and tested over generations. It brings context, meaning, and responsibility. When we bring these knowledge systems together, we get something stronger. Not just better data, but better decisions.

At the GEO Indigenous Alliance, we focus on making that connection real. This includes developing Indigenous-led governance frameworks, creating tools such as the Ethical Toolkit for biodiversity data and AI, and supporting community-based solutions that link sensors, Earth observations and local knowledge.

This is how we reshape how system work.

From awareness to action on the ground

The DRR-climate-biodiversity nexus is already lived in many communities. Drought affects food systems. Biodiversity loss affects water and livelihoods. These are not separate issues.

That is why our work focuses on governance, co-design and capacity building. We convene communities, practitioners and partners to work together in ways that are grounded in local realities.

Technologies such as Earth observations, sensors and AI are part of this work. But they are used in context, alongside Indigenous knowledge and decision-making.

Looking ahead

The priority now is to strengthen support for community-led implementation. This includes expanding tools, partnerships and long-term resources.

The goal is to build systems that are just, trusted and effective, by centring Indigenous governance and stewardship.

FACT SHEET: GEO Indigenous Alliance

The challenge

Climate stress, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation are increasing disaster risk in Indigenous territories and cannot be understood through Earth observations alone.

Products and services

Indigenous-led governance frameworks, the Ethical Toolkit for biodiversity data and AI, and community-based solutions linking Earth observations, sensors, and Indigenous knowledge.

Intended impactact

More just, trusted and effective systems for climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and biodiversity stewardship grounded in Indigenous governance.

Partnerships and users

Indigenous communities and leaders, governments, researchers, GEO partners, and youth and early-career practitioners.

New technologies

Earth observation sensors, and AI applied in real community contexts and combined with Indigenous knowledge and local decision-making.

Sustainability

Currently supported through in-kind contributions, project-based funding, and partnerships, with a focus on expanding long-term support for community-led implementation.

All materials from the GEO Work Programme Open House Webinar #2, including the presentations, are available on the GEO Knowledge Hub. This blog is part of a series based on the presentations made during the webinar, including a summary by the Programme Board co-chair and DRRA-WG co-chair, as well as entries covering GEO-LDN, GEOARC, Digital Earth Africa, and GEO Indigenous Alliance.