For these young Indigenous activists, climate change is up close and personal

Posted on 17 Sep 2024

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

Young First Nations climate advocates — Climate ripe for change: From left, Eduardo Maher (Kimberleys), Peter Griffiths-Sebastian (Kimberleys), Grace Ann Enriquez (Philippines), Tanya Afu (Solomon Islands).

Eduardo Maher has seen first-hand the negative effects climate change has wrought on his community in Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region.

“The country we live on and are connected to has begun to be unrecognisable to our Elders,” said 28-year-old Eduardo, who is of Yawuru, Jabirr Jabirr, Bardi Jawi and Nyul Nyul heritage.

It was while working as an Indigenous ranger that he first noticed changing climate conditions he said have resulted in wet seasons that are shorter, occur at the wrong time of the year, and lead to more extreme risk of fire because of late-drying vegetation.

“Elders are no longer sure how their cultural knowledge will be passed on to the next generation,” said Eduardo, a situation he believes has troubling implications for his community at a social level.

“It has been shown and predicted by scientists that a rise in extreme heat conditions will affect the Kimberley, and that the region will soon become unliveable for extended times of the year.”

Rather than sit on his hands and do nothing, Eduardo recently joined three other young Indigenous advocates from Australia and the Asia Pacific in raising their climate concerns with political decision makers.

Tanya Afu from Solomon Islands, Grace Ann Enriquez from the Philippines, and Peter Griffiths-Sebastian, also from the Kimberley, pressed their case with key decision makers from across the political spectrum in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.

The group called on the nation’s leaders to urgently ban fracking, phase out fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy and address the climate crisis affecting their communities.

“The main thing we are trying to talk about is the climate change threat, whether it’s in the Kimberleys, the rest of Australia or all around the world,” said Eduardo.

“It’s about treating affected communities as more than just stakeholders but as shareholders and business partners for these future endeavours.”

Indigenous climate change activisit Eduardo in Canberra — Indigenous climate change activist Eduardo Maher in Canberra.

“By fostering these connections, we can build a stronger, more diverse and inclusive climate movement that can drive meaningful change for all our communities.”

Oxfam CEO Lyn Morgain.

Climate change advocate Tanya Afu from Solomon Islands has been personally affected by disasters ranging from super typhoons to storm surges.

Her community of Foueda Island, located in the Lau Lagoon in Malaita province of Solomon Islands, has been deeply affected by the climate crisis.

“Our community, known as the ‘wane i asi’ or people of the sea, is deeply connected to our surroundings,” she said.

“However, climate change is altering everything – the sea, the land, even our food.”

Tanya said she has witnessed the sea slowly devouring her home, destroying houses, and submerging her village during high tides.

“Despite this, my people resiliently rebuild and adapt to the changing environment.

“As a young woman working in the climate change space, I'm driven to be a voice for my community and future generations.”

Eduardo said while he and his like-minded climate advocates received a fair hearing, he understands that change doesn’t happen overnight.

“There’s definitely a bit of give and take and I can’t say we were able to convince everyone,” he said.

“People have their own initiatives and plans but there’s definitely some good to come out of it.”

The group also met with a range of grassroots organisations to explore climate change strategy and attended the Better Futures Forum in Canberra, billed as Australia’s largest multi-sectoral forum on climate.

“It was good to see what other people in the climate space are doing,” said Eduardo.

The group’s tour, which was organised by Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network and Oxfam Australia, came at a pivotal time in the climate debate, with the UN-backed COP29 climate gathering scheduled for November and a ederal election looming in Australia.

Australia has bid to host the 2026 COP31 conference in partnership with other Pacific nations.

Indigenous climate change activists meeting government representatives in Canberra — Eduardo and fellow Indigenous climate change activists meet federal government representatives in Canberra.

Proud Jabirr Jabirr and Bardi woman Ebony Pierik, from Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network, said it was important to connect communities affected by climate change with government decision-makers.

“This speakers tour isn’t only an opportunity for us to share our story,” she said.

“It is an opportunity for politicians and city dwellers to hear first-hand what it’s like to live regionally and under threat of becoming a climate refugee on our own Country, and to connect with us on a deeper level for meaningful change.”

Oxfam Australia CEO Lyn Morgain agreed.

“This tour represents a crucial opportunity for Asia-Pacific and First Nations climate leaders to unite and share their firsthand experiences,” she said.

“By fostering these connections, we can build a stronger, more diverse and inclusive climate movement that can drive meaningful change for all our communities.”

Eduardo said it was also important to bring hope to the people on the frontline of climate change, such as his own community in the Kimberley.

“That’s the idea, so they know there are other people fighting for climate change, that we have to keep that fight going and that there are people out there who are listening.”