In this episode, we partner with Cool Earth, an organization whose mission is to provide cash and data directly to people living in the rainforest so they can do what they do best — protect it. We also speak with Equal Right, Cool Earth’s partner organization in the Income for Peace with Nature project in Colombia.

Our guests, Isabel Felandro, Head of Programmes at Cool Earth, and Carlos Adrián Pérez, Director for Latin America at Equal Right, discuss the transformative potential of basic income for Indigenous communities in the Amazon, particularly in Colombia and Peru. They explore how financial support can empower these communities to safeguard their environment while addressing social inequalities.

The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, trust, and education in implementing such initiatives, as well as the challenges of navigating complex political and cultural landscapes. It also reflects on the outcomes of COP16 and the ongoing advocacy for climate finance directed towards Indigenous peoples.

Takeaways

• Money itself is not the problem; it's the redistribution.

• Basic income can help reduce dependency on extractive industries.

• Partnerships with indigenous organizations are crucial for success.

• Monitoring is essential to ensure positive community impact.

• Basic income can improve well-being and happiness in communities.

• Education is key to fostering social consciousness and responsibility.

• Basic income should be viewed as a right, not a subsidy.

• Advocacy for climate finance must prioritize indigenous communities.

• The interconnectedness of communities is vital for progress.

• COP16 provided a platform for collaboration and future initiatives.

Chapters

00:00 Transforming Money for Environmental Justice

03:02 Lessons from Peru: Expanding Basic Income to Colombia

05:55 Building Trust and Collaboration with Indigenous Communities

08:28 Basic Income: A Tool for Environmental and Social Impact

10:52 Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Basic Income

12:55 Monitoring Impact and Ensuring Community Well-being

15:53 The Role of Education in Shaping Consciousness

18:05 Navigating Political and Cultural Challenges

19:40 Advocacy for Climate Finance and Indigenous Rights

21:57 Reflections on COP16 and Future Directions

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