News

First Nations climate change gathering goes global

October 17, 2024

Tubba-Gah Elder, Uncle Lewis Burns, welcomed the Gathering to Tubba-Gah


This week Australia’s National First People’s Gathering on Climate Change (the Gathering) led a dialogue about First People’s response to climate change, with First People from Australia, Canada, the United States of America, Fiji and New Zealand attending.

The First People-led event, the only of its kind in Australia, enabled climate scientists and First People to exchange ideas on how to respond to the threat of climate change.

The Gathering was organised by the National First Peoples’ Platform on Climate Change. Co-chair Glen Wingfield said the decision to invite international First People was simple.

“What they do back in their patch is leaps and bounds ahead, and they want to come and help,” he explained.

United States Science Envoy Professor Kyle Whyte joined a panel of international First Nations representatives.

“It’s really been amazing to be at this gathering because it reminds me of what we do as tribal nations in the United States.

“There are 574 tribal nations in the US, there’s also native Hawaiians. We started getting together [several decades ago] and we’ve really achieved a lot domestically in terms of transforming climate policy for the sake of Indigenous wellbeing.

“And I can see that same energy and that same momentum here,” Prof Whyte said.

Over 100 First Peoples in Australia representing more than 30 diverse First Nation groups and scientists attended with the welcome of the international delegates the Gathering organisers in Tubba-Gah/Dubbo, New South Wales.

Tubba-Gah Elder Uncle Lewis Burns welcomed the Gathering on Tubba-Gah land.

“Hosting is a huge honour and a huge responsibility. It gives us an opportunity to showcase our culture and talk about what we’re doing regarding climate change.

“The best thing about people sharing ideas is you don’t have to reinvent anything. If you know enough organisations and people, you can talk and find out the best way.”

Building on the 2021 Gathering held on Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji and Yirraganydji Country/Cairns and earlier meetings on Yorta Yorta Country in 2012 and 2018, this year has seen the highest representation of younger people.

“I saw a couple tables of young people and I got an overwhelming feeling of reassurance,” Uncle Lewis said.

The Gathering is part of the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Climate Systems Hub.

Hub Leader Dr Jaci Brown said First People’s knowledge and perspectives in climate science are invaluable.

“Climate change is happening now and it’s affecting everybody. It’s important we bring our two perspectives together to deal with such a big, challenging issue.

“Being a First People-led event means western climate scientists have an opportunity to actively listen, learn and build strong relationships with Traditional Owners.”

The Climate Systems Hub is funded by the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program. It is hosted by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in partnership with Bureau of Meteorology, Australian National University, University of Tasmania, University of New South Wales, Monash University, The University of Melbourne and the state governments of Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

The Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, addressed the Gathering,

“First Nations Australians have had to endure some of the worst impacts of climate change and rely on an energy supply that’s not just unreliable, but expensive and unhealthy.

“Australia’s net zero transformation provides an exceptional opportunity to address these inequalities, help close the gap and deliver reliable energy to all Australians.”

“First Nations Australians should be at the centre of the decision-making process on climate action and clean energy, shaping the country they’ve been stewards of for tens of thousands of years and sharing in the benefits of the net zero transformation.”

Contact

Eliza Keck, eliza.keck@csiro.au, 0433 704 004

 

Back to News