By Joely Proudfit / San Diego Union-Tribune OpEd / April 18, 2024
Earth Day serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to the planet. In San Diego, where the beauty and biodiversity of our environment are as integral to our identity as the cityscape itself, this day provides an opportunity not just for celebration, but for deep reflection and learning — especially from the Native communities who have inhabited these lands for millennia.
The Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Kuupangaxwichem, Ipai peoples, along with other indigenous groups across the continent, have demonstrated a profound understanding of sustainable living long before the term entered our modern lexicon. For these communities, sustainability was not merely a practice but a necessity, deeply ingrained in their culture and everyday life. They lived within the limits of their ecosystems, embodying an ethic where taking too much was not just frowned upon — it was culturally abhorrent because it compromised the welfare of future generations. This principle, often referred to as the “seven generations principle,” ensures that the needs of the present do not compromise those of the future.
Such a worldview starkly contrasts with the European settler mindset, which historically positioned humans as dominators rather than stewards of the Earth. This attitude paved the way for technological advancements that, while impressive, often ignored their long-term impact on our planet — contributing significantly to the climate crisis we face today.
The technology that emerged from Europe during the age of exploration and colonization was shaped by a drive for domination and control, not sustainability. This approach has led to a disregard for the broader, lasting consequences of human actions on ecosystems and climate. Today, as we grapple with the realities of climate change, it is imperative that we rethink not only our technologies but also the fundamental questions that guide their development. What if our scientific and policy frameworks prioritized the impacts on future generations, much like the indigenous principle of considering the seventh generation?
Here in San Diego, there is much we can learn from the indigenous communities about resilience and environmental stewardship. The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) believes that our colleagues in science, technology, engineering and math can greatly benefit from indigenous knowledge and practices. This is not about fetishizing or tokenizing Native people, but genuinely integrating their sustainable practices and worldviews into modern environmental management and scientific research.
Indigenous practices such as cultural fire management, which uses fire to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risks, and sustainable basketmaking, which requires the regeneration of natural materials, offer practical lessons in living within the means of our environment. These methods, disrupted by colonial processes, are now being slowly reintegrated into land management practices, showing promising results in both ecological and cultural restoration.
In San Diego, our efforts to embrace these practices are beginning to bear fruit. Projects that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge are not only helping restore landscapes but are also providing a blueprint for how modern societies can live in harmony with nature. By incorporating indigenous principles, we can develop technologies and policies that truly respect and sustain the earth.
As we observe Earth Day, let us commit to a deeper partnership with the original stewards of these lands. Let’s embrace a model of sustainability that has been tried and tested over thousands of years right here on the land we now call San Diego. The knowledge of the Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Kuupangaxwichem, Ipai and other indigenous peoples offers us a beacon of hope and a way forward in our quest to achieve true sustainability and combat the effects of climate change.
By fostering a dialogue between indigenous communities and modern science, and by genuinely integrating the lessons of sustainable living into our city’s policies and practices, San Diego can lead the way in creating a future where technology and nature coexist in mutual respect and benefit. This Earth Day, let’s pledge to not only celebrate but actively incorporate these age-old lessons into our collective journey towards a sustainable future.
Proudfit (Payómkawichum and Tongva) is professor and chair of the American Indian Studies Department and director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at Cal State San Marcos. She lives in San Diego County.
