Location: Coober Pedy, South Australia
Indigenous lead: Glen Wingfield
Science lead: Jason Evans, University of NSW
Team members: Simon Marsland, CSIRO, and Peter Reeve
What we’re doing
This case study investigates the effects of extreme heat on remote Indigenous communities, where standard weather monitoring is often unavailable. It explores how traditional knowledge and science can work together to support adaptation that enables people to remain safely on Country as the climate continues to warm.
Why it matters
As Australia gets hotter, culturally appropriate strategies to manage heat will be critical. This case study supports local solutions informed by lived experience and climate science.
What we’ve found
Changes
- Higher average daily maximum temperatures
- More severe and extreme heatwave days
- Nature out of balance
Impacts
- Less opportunity to have eyes on Country
- Disrupted water supply and reduced water quality
- Biodiversity loss, including native species and seasonal indicators
- Risk to culturally significant sites, practices, knowledge and infrastructure
- Disruptions to hunting, bushfoods and medicines
- Worsened socioeconomic inequalities
Case study focus
- Explore how climate change affects First Nations communities in remote and desert regions
- Investigate environmental degradation impacts on traditional knowledge and cultural practices
- Assess the consequences of communities being forced to leave Country due to climate pressures
- Strengthen Indigenous voices and leadership in climate science and policy
Community priorities
- Self determination
- Access to Country
- Funding and Aboriginal economic opportunities
- Training and resourcing for environmental monitoring
- Holistic land and water management approaches
- Intergenerational knowledge transfer
- Solar energy initiatives
Next steps
- Progress collaboration and co-develop outcomes
- Support participation through travel and fair compensation
- Preparation of a journal paper for potential citation in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports
Back to Project 5.10 Indigenous-led literature and products to inform national and international processes on climate action