1. Home
  2. Coastal impacts case study

Locations: Torres Strait Islands, Masig Island and GuraBuna Gunnganghji peoples Kutabi country, Yarrabah and surrounds, Queensland.

Indigenous leads: Hilda Mosby, Masig Island Traditional Owner, Torres Strait and Djungan Neal, a Yarrabah person who has traditional connection to several far north tribal countries; he is also a Gura Buna Gunnganghji Baama from coastal Yarrabah.
Science lead: Julian O’Grady, NESP Climate Systems Hub

Project team

  • Helen Bloustein
  • Shannon Clohessy
  • Hamish Ramsay
  • Damian Morgan-Bulled
  • Mandy Hopkins

What we’re doing

First Nations peoples have long observed changes to their coastal environments. This case study explores the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, on Country and cultural practices. It brings together Indigenous knowledge and Western coastal science to gain a deeper understanding of these changes.

Why it matters

Rising sea levels pose significant risks to coastal communities and cultural heritage. Understanding these impacts through both Indigenous and scientific perspectives strengthens resilience and response strategies.

What we’ve found

Changes:

  • Rising sea levels
  • Coastal erosion and inundation
  • Storm surges and coastal flooding

Impacts:

  • Communities, infrastructure, cultural practices, sites and knowledge at risk
  • Impacts on connection to Sea Country
  • Loss of habitat for native wildlife and culturally significant species
  • Decline of bushfood, medicinal plants and traditional resources
  • Saltwater intrusion causing salinity, vegetation decline, and wetlands loss

Case study focus:

  • Build shared understanding of coastal change through Indigenous knowledge and Western science
  • Inform coastal planning and decision-making
  • Share data and address knowledge gaps
  • Strengthen Indigenous leadership in climate science and policy
  • Inform adaptation and climate policy, such as through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
  • Workshops and community-led site visits
  • Lived experience and local knowledge
  • Mapping coastal change over time
  • Validating and sharing findings with communities

Next steps

  • Expand Torres Strait engagement
  • Model future coastal change
  • Continue co-designed research and knowledge exchange
  • Develop outputs, including publications

Download this as a PDF >

Back to Project 5.10 Indigenous-led literature and products to inform national and international processes on climate action

BACK TO TOP