Year: 2026
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: This contribution explores how Indigenous knowledge systems contribute to environmental guardianship, based on the testimonial of Jason Menaling from the Pulangiyēn community in Mindanao, Philippines. It addresses the question of how traditional ecological knowledge, land rights, and cultural continuity support environmental justice and sustainable development. Originally developed as the basis for a presentation at the International Biennial Conference on Environmental Justice 2024, this chapter presents the Pulangiyēn worldview and ancestral knowledge as foundations for environmental guardianship and intergenerational learning. Particular attention is given to land rights and the significance of the Ancestral Domain Title as a legal and cultural instrument for sustainable land management. The chapter further addresses the divisive effects of national economic development plans and market pressures on Indigenous communities and their livelihoods, as well as the impact of climate change on traditional agriculture, food security, and ecosystem balance. Collaborative approaches to socio-ecological transformation are ultimately emphasized, highlighting education, community empowerment, and culturally informed resource management.
Author: Jason Linantad Menaling
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7203973607