From alpacas to Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos and lamas to vicuñas, camelids contribute to the food and nutritional security of many populations and to economic growth, as well as having a strong cultural significance for communities around the world. The International Year of Camelids (IYC 2024) highlights how camelids are fundamental to the livelihoods of millions of families in more than 90 countries. IYC 2024 provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the role of camelids in building resilience to climate change – especially in mountains and arid and semi-arid lands.
The important role of camelids in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
You think camelids are just about SDG 15? Not at all!
These animals show just how interconnected the goals of the 2030 Agenda are. As well as contributing to the fight against hunger – SDG 2, the eradication of extreme poverty – SDG 1, the empowerment of women – SDG 5, we can also talk about the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems – SDG 15, the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes – SDG 6 and the promotion of sustainable tourism, which generates jobs and promotes local culture and products – SDG 8.
From providing milk, meat and wool for communities, to transporting products and people, to organic fertiliser, camelids thrive where other livestock species cannot survive.
Why is the People & Planet project so enthusiastic about camelids?
We’re not camels. Use water responsibly.
People & Planet has been saying it for 3 years and now even the UN agrees with us – camels and their cousins can teach us a lot about sustainability. Let’s remember the Water of the Future campaign launched on World Water Day, 22 March 2022, with the motto ‘We are not camels’.
Water scarcity is one of the great challenges we have to face: now, and in the years to come. The campaign wanted to bring this issue to the public agenda, encouraging people to change their awareness and, above all, their behaviour.
People & Planet has also been using the campaign as a way of making young Europeans aware of the importance of this resource and mobilising them to preserve it – whether visible or invisible, given the importance of the (invisible) water footprint in our daily consumption. For example, taking advantage of the UN Water Conference in 2023, the project worked with young people to deepen their knowledge of this issue and reflect on their main concerns and respective solutions.
The result? A very informative VOX-POP and the Young Europeans Declaration, which includes ideas in a wide range of areas. People & Planet wasn’t able to take the young people to New York, where the conference was held, but it did – and is keen to – take their voices to different parts of the world and make a difference in connecting young people and policy-makers to make a change for a better planet.
This UN International Year of Camelids is a great opportunity to learn from these animals how to be more resilient and adjust our lifestyles to reduce our environmental footprint.
Follow all the posts about camelids on the campaign/project’s Instagram @waterofthefuture_org
Sources: https://www.fao.org/camelids-2024/about/en
People and Planet: A Common Destiny is a pan-European project to mobilise young citizens and local authorities to fight climate change. It is funded by the European Union through the DEAR Programme, with co-funding from Camões, I.P., involving 17 organisations (local authorities and CSOs) from 8 EU member states and Cape Verde, under the coordination of Loures City Council. In Portugal, the project is being implemented by a consortium made up of Loures City Council, IMVF, RICD and FUEL.
Follow the Water Of The Future campaign