Indigenous Australia and Climate Change Narratives

Presented by Natasha Steinmann

• Two existing bodies of literature relating to climate change and indigenous Australians need to be linked

• This will:– Reveal recurring narratives of indigenous priorities– Provide a holistic understanding

Main Argument

http://www.indigenous.gov.au

• Find appropriate adaptive strategies that address changing climates and existing social hardships

Two Separate Bodies of Literature:The Australian Discussion

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Biophysical Climate Change

• Focused on observation of physical changes and economic sector impacts– Changing river flows– Dryland salinity– Increased frequency of devastating bush fire

• Less discussion on how these changes affect people– Vulnerability– Adaptation– Why?

Examples of key findings by the IPCC report (2007):

• increasing stresses on water supply and agriculture• economic losses caused by droughts, floods, fire, tropical cyclones, and hail• loss of biodiversity in ecologically rich sites

• vulnerability likely to rise due to increase in extreme events

• “There is recent recognition of the untapped resource of Indigenous knowledge about past climate change which could be used to inform adaptation options.”

Social Science and Indigenous Issues

Indigenous Priorities:

• Social and political equality

• Sovereignty

• Economic mobility

• Passing down of traditional knowledge

• Language and cultural preservation

• Land management

Photo credit: http://www.kapululangu.org/

The Missing Link (?)

• Connecting biophysical climate change observations and predictions for Australia (IPCC 2007) with existing social, economic, and cultural discussions involving indigenous Australian communities and their needs

Example:

• Changing climate (river flow, drought, or flood) requires change in lifestyle habit

• Ability to change lifestyle depends on socioeconomic status, resource availability, and cultural resiliency

• Dependence of livelihoods on the environment shows how interconnected the two discussions are & how recurring narratives permeate both discussions

Recurring Narratives

Photo credit: David Hancock (The Solutions Journal)

Photo credit: http://www.aboriginalartshop.com/Aboriginal-Paintings/aboriginal-paintings.html

ConclusionsUltimate goal: to find “efficient, effective and equitable adaptation policies and strategies for Australian Indigenous communities” (NCCARF 2012)

Steps to get there:• Facilitate discussions and research studies that integrate climate change science with existing social narratives

• Include those affected (indigenous Australians) in discussions and policy-making processes

• Work with indigenous communities to implement adaptation strategies that address not only the river flow or fire susceptibility but also social/political/economic priorities

References• Heckbert, Scott, Russell-Smith, Jeremy, Reeson, Andrew, and Glenn James. “Indigenous Australians Fight Climate Change

with Fire”. The Solutions Journal. Availble online http://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/node/1006.

• Hennessy, K et al. “Australia and New Zealand.” Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.

• Kapululangu Women’s Law and Culture Centre. http://www.kapululangu.org/

• Langton M, et al., National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan for Indigenous Communities (Gold Coast: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF), 2012).

Questions?

Thank you for your time.

Photo credit: http://simplymulticultural.com/2012/02/sharing-through-culture/