Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul are community leaders from the Guda Maluyligal Nation at the northernmost part of Australia in the Torres Strait. They have turned to the Federal Court to argue that the Australian Government has failed to take serious climate action. Your words will give them hope.
For thousands of years, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul’s Indigenous ancestors have lived on the islands. Now, because of climate change, their way of life, traditional knowledge systems, cultural practices and spiritual connections that have been passed down from generation to generation could be broken forever. Rising sea levels are causing more destruction each year by eroding beaches, destroying sacred cultural sites and cemeteries where ancestors are buried, wrecking food gardens, and putting the islands’ infrastructure at risk.
Between 8-24 November, Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul are in Narm (Melbourne) at the Federal Court. They are arguing that the Australian government is taking insufficient action to prevent harm from climate change, resulting in the destruction of their lands and culture. And they are supported by a team of experts who will also be giving evidence.
They’re fighting for urgent action so they won’t, alongside many other Torres Strait islanders, be forced to leave their homelands.
“We need to show the government that we exist here in the Torres Strait and we matter. We’re bringing this case not only to protect our communities, but all Australians from climate change. If we are going to create a better world for future generations, we must work together.”
Send Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul a message of solidarity and let them know you stand alongside them in their fight for their lands and culture.
We will be handing your messages over in person, to both Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul on the 22nd of November.