Mick Dodson AM

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Board Member

Mick Dodson AM is a former Australian of the year, Yawuru man, barrister, activist and professor. He is best known for his campaigns as a lawyer to secure and improve the legal rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in relation to land and native title rights.

This work led to Mick being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 for services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and being named Australian of the Year in 2009.

Mick became the first Indigenous barrister to join the Victorian Bar in 1981. Since then he has served as the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. He has served as a Director of the Northern Land Council and as counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Mick was also a member of the United Nations Permanent Forum as a member for the Pacific Region and served on the board of trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations.

It was March this year, during a United Nations General Assembly, that 132 countries voted “yes” for Pacific Climate Justice. 

Specifically, these countries passed a motion proposed by the Vanuatu government, calling on the International Court of Justice to deliver an advisory opinion that confirms the devastating impacts of climate change on human rights..

In doing so, the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (or ICJ AO for short) would clarify the obligations owed by countries to protect the rights of both current  and future generations from climate change.

We know that strong and compelling evidence about the impacts that climate change is already having on communities across the world will play a key role in convincing the court to hand down a decisive and authoritative opinion. That’s why the Rainbow Warrior visited the Pacific earlier this year; to document the human rights impacts of climate change in this region. 

We sailed to Port Vila and Erromango in Vanuatu, then onwards to Tuvalu, followed by Suva, Kioa, and Rabi – all islands in Fiji. We were welcomed into the homes and hearts of countless people who most generously shared their experience of a changing climate and how it has  impacted on their human rights to their homes, their cultures, and their livelihoods. These stories will live on in our hearts, and amplify the strength of our upcoming submission to the International Court of Justice. Read on for some of these stories from the island of Pele – just one of the many places we visited whilst in the Pacific.

A farewell ceremony is a cultural protocol in the Pacific.

We walked with a local healer named Winnie, who recalled  the uses of the medicinal plants that have been lost due to climate change and shared the repercussions of this loss for her children when they fall ill.

We knelt with Sister Lizzie in a Pele graveyard and mourned after we learned that an additional 20 of the village’s ancestral graves had been swallowed by the sea since her last visit to the site which was a day before the twin cyclones Judy and Kevin hit the region in March this year.

Flora Vano, country manager for ActionAid Vanuatu has been helping communities face the dangers of a changing climate. She shared with us how when the twin cyclones came, communication with Erromango was down. Nobody answered her calls, leaving her to wonder if anyone on Erromango had survived at all. It was three days before Flora heard that there were no casualties, thanks to all the hard work that the women had done to fortify their communities beforehand. Watch her story in full with this video.

Women are not only disproportionately impacted by climate change, but are also often the first responders to climate disasters. Flora is advocating for the leadership of Indigenous women to be acknowledged as a powerful treasure in building climate resilience.

The ICJ AO’s potential to safeguard the human rights of frontline communities, current and future generations in the face of climate change, is why this work is of utmost importance to Greenpeace. Our mission to secure a strong Advisory Opinion is also something that we feel will strongly resonate with you, a legacy gift supporter, who has made a generous commitment to protect future generations through a gift in your Will.

It comes following explosive allegations of Woodside’s governmental influence in Western Australia exposed in tonight’s episode of Four Corners – the ABC’s flagship investigative programme.

“Woodside’s Burrup Hub is the biggest fossil fuel threat in Australia. If fully constructed, it would spew out more than six billion tonnes of climate pollution and will condemn Australians to more frequent and severe fires, floods and droughts. The Burrup Hub directly threatens a clean and safer future for all Australians –  so it is unsurprising that more and more everyday Australians are taking a determined, peaceful stand,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter said today.

“Greenpeace Australia Pacific stands with all peaceful climate defenders who are advocating for real climate action. 

“The real story here is the fossil fuel executives who are wrecking our oceans and our climate – not the peaceful climate defenders who are trying to stop them.

“Tonight we’ve seen mothers, young people and other ordinary Australians bravely refuse to bow down in the face of staggeringly frightening legal threats. It’s appalling that climate-concerned Aussie parents could face up to twenty years in prison, simply for peaceful protests to defend their children’s future.

“Peaceful direct actions have a long history of success in exposing environmental crimes, confronting unjust activities and stopping environmental destruction. 

“Where is the sense of proportion when it comes to Woodside’s climate-wrecking activities,” Ritter said.

Right to protest under attack

“The freedom to protest is fundamental to our democracy, but for years, protest rights across Australia have been under sustained attack. The freedom of the press to report on protests is also under pressure.

“While powerful corporations can use their money and access to influence government, advocacy and protest are how people and communities build the visibility and awareness needed for change. In Australia in recent years, the ability to advocate for more decisive climate action has come under sustained attack, distorting policy and damaging our democracy,” Ritter added.

—ENDS—

• In 2021, Greenpeace Australia Pacific launched a report together with the Human Rights Law Centre and the Environmental Defenders Office which mapped the systematic repression of communities and organisations advocating for climate justice.
• Last year, Greenpeace Australia Pacific released its Deep-Sea Disaster: Why Woodside’s Burrup Hub should not proceed report.
• Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s most recent at-sea protest against Woodside can be found here.
• Greenpeace images of whales can be found here.

Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of critical minerals including lithium, cobalt and manganese, with a significant role to play in the transition to a fossil-fuel-free and renewable-powered future. 

With this prominence comes important questions about the role critical minerals have in shaping the country’s sustainable path. As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, it’s important that we approach mineral extraction, processing, use, reuse and recycling and disposal with care and responsibility.

The following blog explores the role of critical minerals mining in Australia’s clean energy transition and highlights some key principles to guide us to minimise potential social and environmental impacts.

Why are critical minerals important?

Critical minerals are essential for manufacturing various technologies that are integral to our modern world, including mobile phones, computers, banknotes, fibre-optic cables and medical equipment. These minerals are also instrumental in Australia’s transition towards clean energy, powering rechargeable batteries, electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels.

As nations unite under the landmark Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is paramount for protecting our climate, nature and humanity. By harnessing critical minerals, Australia can play its part in helping our country and the world break free from reliance on climate-destroying fossil fuels.

What role does Australia play?

Australia plays a pivotal role in the global landscape of critical minerals, as the world’s largest exporter of lithium and the third-largest producer of cobalt. Additionally, the country 

produces other vital rare earth elements such as manganese, nickel and copper, as highlighted in S&P Global’s 2021 Mining By The Numbers report.

This means Australia has the potential to contribute to the climate change fight by becoming a leading exporter of materials, cutting-edge technology and valuable expertise. By harnessing these resources, the country can create a thriving clean energy industry and generate new trade and job opportunities. However, this means Australia also has a critical responsibility to ensure that the mining, processing and manufacturing of critical minerals is carried out in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Does clean energy mean less mining? 

The short answer is yes, a clean energy future can reduce the scale and volume of mining overall.

Various studies, including the International Energy Agency’s Energy Technology Perspectives 2023 report have indicated that transitioning to a renewable energy-based economy will involve less mining and processing compared to one that is fossil fuel-based.

While fossil fuels are dug up, transported around the world, and burnt once to create energy, critical minerals can be re-used and then recycled multiple times.  

To put it in perspective, approximately 15 billion tonnes of fossil fuels are currently mined and extracted each year. In contrast, the global mining of critical minerals for low-carbon energy amounted to seven million tonnes in 2020. While this amount could increase to 28 million tonnes per year according to the International Energy Agency, that equates to about 535 times less mining than under the current fossil fuelled system.  

By transitioning from fossil fuel-powered energy to an all-renewable electric energy system, we have the potential to drastically reduce the need for extensive mining activities, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Can we reduce the environmental and social impact?

The reality though is all mining activity can have significant negative environmental and social impacts. 

To minimise these impacts, it’s crucial to reduce the overall amount of materials extracted, prioritise their use for climate solutions, maximise the utilisation of recycled materials, and ensure protection of the environment and human rights in the process.

The following guidelines outline ways in which Australia and the world must approach the use of critical minerals more responsibly:

1. Protect the rights of First Nations people

The rights of indigenous people, local communities, and the social wellbeing of workers are vital.

Securing the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations peoples before undertaking any mining activities is essential and project proponents must ensure that the benefits are shared with traditional landowners.

2. Protect biodiversity and climate hotspots

We must not repeat the same extractive model that has contributed to climate change. 

Extraction should be limited to areas far away from biodiversity and climate hotspots such as High Conservation Value areas (HCVs), primary forest and Intact Forest Landscapes (IFL), High Carbon Stock forests (HCS), critical natural wetlands, including peatlands, grassland and shrubland ecosystems, and deep sea areas. 

3. Say no to deep sea mining

Deep sea mining has no place in our oceans. The urgent implementation of a global moratorium on deep sea mining is crucial to conserve and protect our marine ecosystems.

Greenpeace has called on vehicle manufacturers to cease sourcing minerals from deep sea mining, and companies such as BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Renault and Rivian have already committed to this.  

4. Adopt circular economy principles

Embracing the reuse and recycling of materials can reduce the environmental impacts of mining and extend the life cycle of materials. 

While fossil fuels are burnt once, major battery inputs like lithium and copper can be recycled multiple times. By 2040, recycled materials have the potential to supply over half of the essential elements for new batteries, even with growing battery demand. Large companies with high use rates of minerals, such as electric car company Polestar, have declared their intention to transition to a closed-loop system. This approach must be scaled and accelerated.

5. Invest in innovative technologies

Governments and corporations must support research and development in, and adoption of,   more efficient battery technology that reduces dependence on mined minerals. 

Battery technology is already improving quickly – wind turbine and electric vehicle manufacturers have been successful in reducing the mineral content of their products year on year. According to WWF’s The Future Is Circular report, the rapid evolution of the sector is likely to lead to a significant reduction in the need for minerals per unit manufactured.

6. Reduce the demand for critical minerals

The world after a successful clean energy transition will not resemble the world we know today.

Significant reductions in the demand for critical minerals can be achieved through societal and policy changes. For example, instead of a one-for-one replacement of internal combustion engines with electric vehicles, we must focus on having fewer cars on the road by investing in affordable and accessible public transport, improving micro-mobility infrastructure, and changing societal expectations to include more shared journeys.

Greenpeace aims to foster an informed dialogue around the responsible use of critical minerals. Join us as we embark on this journey to build a cleaner, greener future for Australia and the world.

From August 7-9, more than sixty civil society representatives from across the Pacific came together on the remote island of Kioa for a ‘talanoa’ or discussion as part of the next stage of the Kioa Climate Emergency Declaration.

Over two days, delegates discussed pressing climate issues facing Pacific communities, and progressing the design of a regional finance mechanism, the Kato Pacific Community Climate Fund.

Sepesa Rasili, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the dialogue highlighted the urgent need for global and regional solutions to the climate crisis.

“Pacific Island nations have been leading the way on a range of climate issues, from the establishment of a Loss and Damage fund at COP27, to calls for a moratorium on Deep Sea Mining, and the historic Pacific-led campaign for an advisory opinion on the human rights impacts of climate change from the International Court of Justice,” he said.

“The Kato Pacific Community Climate Fund is yet another example of Pacific Island leadership and an illustration to the rest of the world of what’s possible when civil society organisations and governments work together with the collective goal of climate justice.

“We are humbled to have been included in this process and remain committed to working alongside our allies in the Pacific and amplifying the demands they have developed in recognition of the unique challenges that the region is facing.

“Greenpeace Australia Pacific will continue to escalate key demands within the Kioa Declaration in recognition of Australia’s position as a global laggard on climate and a major contributor to the climate crisis — that means no new coal, oil and gas approvals and no more fossil fuel subsidies.

“We also call on Minister Penny Wong to make the strongest possible submission to the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion.”

The residents of Kioa island are descendents of Vaitupu in Tuvalu who began migrating to the Fijian island in the 1940’s. They identify as Tuvaluan, and speak and practise the unique language and culture of Tuvalu. Kioa is considered an example of a successful model for future climate migration, one which preserves culture and human dignity.

In his opening address to the conference, Guest of Honour the Hon. Seve Paeniu, the Tuvalu Minister for Finance and Climate Change, said high emitting countries must act to protect Pacific nations from rising seas as a matter of moral principle.

“The Pacific island countries contribute the least to the cause of climate change, and yet we do not only suffer the most damage in terms of the impacts of climate change, but we have to consequently bear the heaviest price in terms of cost of adaptation and mitigation,” he said.

“It is within this context that this Kato conference held in Kioa is very timely and visionary.”

The Kato Fund is seen as a powerful vehicle to amplify the unique challenges and solutions small Pacific communities face, and an opportunity to strengthen collaboration across the region.

The Rainbow Warrior leaves Kioa today for Rabi Island to celebrate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, before returning to Suva. The ship has been travelling across the Pacific since June, sailing around Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Fiji in solidarity with climate impacted communities and gathering testimonies of climate harm to present to the International Court of Justice.

For more information and a map of Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Ship Tour: greenpeace.org.au/act/pacific-campaign

—ENDS—

Sharing Pacific Stories with the World

The Pacific region is no stranger to the impacts of climate change, with hundreds of communities bearing the brunt of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation. Through the Rainbow Warrior tour, we aim to take these powerful stories to the global stage, ensuring that the world hears the voices of those most affected. By sharing these experiences, we will raise awareness and foster international solidarity in the fight against climate change.

The Goal of the Ship Tour

The Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior Pacific tour aligns with our historic campaign to seek a world first advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world’s highest court. Recently, the campaign achieved a significant milestone by gaining consensus in the UN General Assembly. Now, as the campaign advances to The Hague, we are using the Rainbow Warrior as a vessel to spotlight and compile Pacific stories and deliver them directly to the ICJ as evidence. We hope that these powerful stories will contribute to a strong advisory opinion being handed down by the court that prioritises justice for frontline communities around the world .

A Journey of Inspiration

The seeds of the historic campaign were sown in the stories and experiences of the Pacific peoples. These stories have served as a profound source of inspiration, and now, they play a vital role in steering the campaign towards a momentous conclusion. The Rainbow Warrior serves not only as a ship but also as a symbol of hope, resilience, and solidarity for the Pacific communities and the global climate justice movement.

The Itinerary: Exploring Climate-Impacted Islands

The Rainbow Warrior’s journey will take us to some of the most climate-impacted islands in the Pacific, where communities are facing the harsh realities of climate change. We will visit Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Fiji, and Kioa, witnessing firsthand the environmental challenges and exploring the innovative solutions these communities have devised to combat the crisis. By highlighting the origin of these global solutions in the Pacific, we seek to underscore the importance of supporting and implementing climate initiatives worldwide.

In Search of a Momentous Conclusion at the International Court of Justice

As the Rainbow Warrior sails across the Pacific, it carries not only the hopes and aspirations of Pacific communities but also the collective determination to secure climate justice for the entire planet. The stories shared during this tour will serve as a clarion call to the International Court of Justice, reminding them of the urgent need to take decisive action on climate change. We stand in solidarity with the Pacific, and call upon the International Court of Justice to deliver an advisory opinion that acknowledges the impact that climate change is having on fundamental human rights and provides a strengthened legal framework to protect them.

The Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior’s tour of the Pacific is not just a maritime journey; it is a voyage of advocacy,solidarity and urgency. As we engage with our Pasifika family on the frontlines of the climate crisis, we are committed to amplifying their voices and sharing their stories with the world. By bringing these stories to The Hague, we seek to propel the historic campaign for an advisory opinion on climate change to a momentous conclusion.

Together with Pasifika peoples and the global community, Greenpeace Australia Pacific will continue to fight for climate justice, to protect human rights, and to create an ecologically sustainable future for generations to come.

Join us on this transformative journey as we set sail to shape a better world.

Follow the Rainbow Warrior Pacific Tour

The ship will spend two weeks in Fiji to rally support behind the historic, Pacific-led campaign to take climate change to the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Rainbow Warrior was welcomed to Suva with a vibrant ceremony which included traditional ‘vaka’ or canoes, as well as speeches from government officials and community leaders.

A traditional kava ceremony (Yaqona Vakaturaga) was conducted, including the preparation and presentation of kava to the Tui Suva (Chief of Suva) and the Chief Guests, David Ritter CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific and Ali Schmidt, Captain of the Rainbow Warrior.

The crew have spent the last four weeks sailing around Vanuatu and Tuvalu, meeting communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis and listening to their stories. Greenpeace experts also gathered legal testimonies of the human rights impacts of climate change throughout their visit — evidence which will form part of submissions due to the ICJ in October.

From Suva, the ship will travel to Kioa Island to join civil society leaders from across the Pacific as part of the Kioa Climate Emergency dialogue, then onwards to Rabi Island, before returning to Suva.

David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the team is incredibly humbled to have been welcomed so warmly by leaders and communities across the Pacific:

“From Vanuatu to Tuvalu, we’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts the climate crisis is unleashing on Pacific nations, who are fighting to protect their homes, their culture and their future. What more will it take for governments to act as heat records are shattered around the world, floods and bushfires rage, and sea level rise threatens entire communities?

“The Albanese government vowed to reset its relationship with the Pacific after a decade of neglect. And yet, the financial support directed towards the Pacific is miniscule compared to the billions of taxpayer dollars poured into fossil fuel subsidies every year — a polluting industry that is directly harming the human rights of Pacific people and nations.

“Pacific nation leaders have repeatedly affirmed climate change as the greatest threat to the region. We call on Minister Wong to make a strong submission on behalf of Australia to the International Court of Justice as a statement of support for Pacific survival.”

The push to protect vulnerable nations by issuing an advisory opinion on climate harm, known as the ICJAO, was born in a university classroom in the Pacific. In March, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously voted for a resolution calling on the ICJ to establish the legal obligations of nations in addressing climate change. Submissions are due in October.

Vishal Prasad, Campaign Director of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, said that a successful ICJ advisory opinion would be a powerful tool to support bolder climate action globally:

“An ICJ advisory opinion would ensure that Pacific Island nations have a greater voice on the international stage, and also provide a legal framework for countries around the globe.

“The climate crisis is a human rights crisis. Hundreds of millions of people in vulnerable countries like Fiji are having their livelihoods, health, food security, and cultures severely impacted.

“We need monumental, global action, and we need it now. An advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice is exactly that. It would mean we could better enforce the Paris Climate Agreement, and ensure human rights are at the centre of all climate responses.”

—ENDS—

Media assets

Images: Rainbow Warrior arriving, welcome ceremony can be found here from 11am FST and generic photos of the Rainbow Warrior can be found here

B-Roll vision: Drone shots of ship arriving, welcome ceremony, can be found here from 1pm FST

For more information and a map of Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Ship Tour: greenpeace.org.au/act/pacific-campaign

We are living in a world that is being destroyed by throwaway plastic. Plastic pollution has flooded our planet, harming people’s health, accelerating social injustice, destroying biodiversity and fueling the climate crisis.

Science is only beginning to understand the long-term effects of plastic on human health, yet microplastics have been found in the air we breathe and the food we eat, and even in our organs and our blood. And communities on the frontlines of plastic production and waste are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution, social injustice,  and the climate crisis.

The fact is that 99% of plastic is made from oil and gas —  and big oil are making more and more each year. The full lifecycle of plastic harms livelihoods and the climate. Despite all of this, big oil, in league with big brands like Unilever, Nestlé and Coca-Cola, continue to promote false solutions and a throwaway single-use model where ‘convenience’ and corporate profits outweigh the cost to our communities.

But now, we have the opportunity to end the plastic crisis by pushing for a strong and ambitious Global Plastics Treaty that will end runaway plastic production and use. 

Governments around the world are now negotiating a Global Plastics Treaty – an agreement that could solve the planetary crisis brought by runaway plastic production.

A treaty that fails to deliver major reductions in plastic production and use will not solve the plastic crisis. Greenpeace, with our allies and supporters, demand an ambitious, legally-binding global plastics treaty that will cap and phase down plastic production and use, and ultimately end single-use plastic.

We demand a treaty that will keep oil and gas used to produce plastic in the ground and puts an end to big polluters’ relentless plastic production. The Global Plastics Treaty must be firmly rooted in a human rights-based approach that reduces inequalities between people, priorities on human health, protects the environment and ensures a just transition to a low-carbon, zero-waste, reuse-based economy that centres justice and the interests of communities most affected. A strong plastics treaty delivers a cleaner, safer planet for us and for future generations.

We know that the petrochemical industry, corporations and some governments will try to weaken the ambition of the Global Plastics Treaty, and here is where the battle truly begins. The Global Plastics Treaty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to solve the plastics crisis. For the sake of our collective future, we must not waste this moment.

At the upcoming negotiations in coming years, we will show how an unstoppable global movement can achieve an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty that will turn off the plastics tap and finally, end the age of plastic – for our health, our communities, climate, and the planet.

The Rainbow Warrior III is now in Vanuatu – one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. We are providing a platform for communities, activists and politicians to show how they are leading the world in their fight for climate justice.

Vanuatu is also the birthplace of a groundbreaking legal campaign taking climate change to the world’s highest court. For us Pasifika peoples, this opportunity has the potential to shape our existence, our right to survival, equality, water, food, culture, language, education and health.

A successful legal opinion could protect the human rights of current and future generations and finally hold polluters accountable for their actions. But this depends on big polluting countries like Australia making a strong submission to the International Court, and this is where you come in!

Will you stand with us and urge Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong to make a strong case for climate action at the world’s highest court?

I’LL SIGN MY NAME

Warriors at the Rainbow Warrior arrival Ceremony in Port, Vila Vanuatu.  © Greenpeace / Island Roots

Our journey in Vanuatu has been filled with many colourful and empowering events that have showcased the resilience and strength of Pasifika communities.

From art exhibitions to fashion shows, community gatherings to singing, dancing, and sharing meals, the energy and love have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

Local fashion designers in Port Vila put on a vibrant fashion show onboard the helideck of the Rainbow Warrior. © Greenpeace / Island Roots

A significant highlight was our visit to the village of Eton, where we immersed ourselves and deeply felt the cultural pulse of the community. Community members shared their stories and their fight for climate justice and gifted us beautiful handmade items, symbolising their love and connection to the land. The Eton community live on the West coast of Vanuatu, exposed to rough seas and rising tides on low-lying ground. The community hall, a place the community seek refuge during cyclones, was flooded during back-to-back cyclones earlier this year. Droughts are also anticipated for the dry season.

Despite these hardships, the community opened their hearts and homes to us. They fed us. Our children played together and by the end of our visit, we were family.

Weaving workshop in Eton. Staff and crew had the opportunity to weave and understand the importance of coconut and pandanus (vulnerable to climate impacts) in all aspects of Pacific life. These are usually referred to as the “tree of life” in the Pacific. © Greenpeace / Island Roots

We carry these stories with us, weaving together the vibrant tapestry of Pacific Island communities, and sharing their struggles, strength, and determination with the world. Vanuatu’s tireless efforts to combat climate issues inspire us to continue the fight for a better future.

Together, we stand in solidarity, fighting for what is right and embracing the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis.

Tankyu Tumas

Shiva

Our people have lived in the Torres Strait for thousands of years. Our land is central to our culture and the knowledge of how to live in harmony with it has been handed down from generation to generation. But if the government doesn’t change course, this place we call home is going to be underwater. We will lose everything: our language, our culture, our identity, everything – making us Australia’s first climate change refugees. 

Like us, communities around the world are standing up and seeking climate justice through the courts. Our battle is not just about the Torres Strait Islands; it resonates with communities around the world. 

Right now, we are on the Rainbow Warrior, making our way from Cairns to Vanuatu in solidarity with the Pasifika community who are leading a global legal campaign bringing climate change to the world’s highest court – the International Court of Justice.

If their legal case is successful, it could help to protect the human rights of people across the world who are most affected by climate change, and strengthen the consequences for big polluters who are recklessly harming our planet.

Will you stand with us in solidarity with our Pasifika neighbours and urge Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong make a strong case for climate action at the world’s highest court?

SIGN THE PETITION

We believe that unity is our greatest strength. By joining forces with our brothers and sisters from Vanuatu and others on the frontlines of the climate crisis, we can amplify our voices and increase the pressure on the Australian Government. Together, we are an unbreakable force, demanding action and accountability. 

In Kalaw Kawaw Ya, the language spoken on our islands of Boigu and Saibai, mura kalmel sipa means ‘together we stand’. For us, that is the message of this voyage. Together our communities will speak truth to power in the face of climate devastation. Together we will fight for communities and our futures in Australian and International courts.

A victory in our case in the Australian Federal Court could trigger transformative climate action across Australia, benefiting all Australians and setting an example for the entire world.

Our fight for climate justice stems from our deep connection to our culture, land, and people. In the spirit of Eddie Mabo’s land rights struggle, we carry on the legacy of our ancestors. We are cultural people – our islands were our mother’s and  father’s lands. We will never be removed from them. We were born there and we will die there. 

We are proud to lead the charge for climate justice, not only for ourselves but for all First Nations Peoples and communities worldwide. 

We urge you to join us. Together, we can protect our homes, cultures, and future generations. Let’s ensure that climate action becomes a matter of law, not just politics.

Mura Kalmel Sipa, Together we stand – Torres Strait and Pacific Islands

Wadhuam (Maternal Uncle) Pabai Pabai and Wadhuam (Maternal Uncle) Paul Kabai 

To get involved the Australian Climate Case or share how you’re being affected by climate change, go to our website takeaction.australianclimatecase.org.au