1. Indigenous Australia and Climate Change Narratives Presented by Natasha Steinmann

2. 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

3. Two Separate Bodies of Literature: The Australian Discussion Climate Change and Indigenous Australians Biophysical Climate Change Social Science and Indigenous Issues ?

4. 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.” 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.”

5. 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 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/

6. 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 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

7. Recurring Narratives Photo credit: David Hancock (The Solutions Journal ) Photo credit: http://www.aboriginalartshop.com/Aboriginal- Paintings/aboriginal-paintings.html

8. Conclusions Ultimate 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

9. 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).

10. Questions? Thank you for your time. Photo credit: http://simplymulticultural.com/2012/02/sharing-through-culture/