Afro-Interamerican Forum on Climate Change (AIFCC)

The Afro-Interamerican Forum on Climate Change (AIFCC) conducts research, brings greater visibility to, and strengthens technical capacities of Afro-descendant populations in their efforts to address the interconnected crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, supporting their historic and ground-breaking contributions to the stewardship of areas of critical environmental importance and their global environmental services.

Co-developed by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI) and Colombian Ambassador to the United States Luis Gilberto Murillo (an MIT MLK Fellow from 2020 to 2022), and led by current MIT MLK Fellow and Former Minister of Culture of Colombia Angelica Mayolo, the AIFCC represents a collective effort between Afro-descendant environmental leaders, researchers, and policy makers to influence the environmental agenda by focusing on three objectives: 

1. Research

Co-create original research, disseminate knowledge, and raise awareness to the strategic role of Afro-descendant peoples in the conservation of natural resources. Through the AIFCC Researchers Network, the AIFCC advances research focused on biodiversity, climate change and bioeconomy, and social well-being with a focus on climate justice and the impact of environmental policies on Afro-descendant peoples. Current areas of research include carbon markets and the participation of ethnic communities, delimitation and threats to the Biogeographic Chocó region as an ecological corridor, climate contributions of Afro-descendant peoples lands, among others.

2. Participation and visibility

Enhance the participation of Afro-descendant leaders in decision-making processes related to climate and environmental justice, we aim to consolidate a network of policymakers and strengthen leadership and scientific capacities to amplify the voices of local environmental leaders.

3. Local engagement and innovation

Create a pipeline of innovative community-based projects and strengthen the capacities of local communities in the Amazon and the Afro-descendant territories in the Americas to advance inclusive and sustainable development models.

Contact

To learn more or get involved with the initiative, please contact Angélica Mayolo Obregón, visiting scholar at MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative (amayolo@mit.edu).

AIFCC News

Those on the front lines of climate change should be empowered to be central to its solution (The Hill)

Environmental Equity and Racial Justice (International Journal on Human Rights)

¿Quiénes lideran la lucha por la inclusión en el debate del cambio climático? (Forbes)