<
https://theconversation.com/has-the-government-failed-to-protect-torres-strait-culture-from-rising-seas-the-full-federal-court-is-about-to-decide-287687>
"In the Torres Strait, sea levels are rising twice as fast as the global
average.
Scientists predict several low-lying islands in the Torres Strait will be
uninhabitable by 2050 if global warming continues on its current trajectory.
In 2021, two Torres Strait Islander elders, Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul
Kabai, filed the first-ever negligence case against the Australian government
claiming failure to protect them from the damage done by climate change.
Both live on islands at direct risk from rising seas. Uncle Pabai lives on
Boigu Island, whose highest point is just three metres above sea level. Uncle
Paul lives on Saibai Island, which tops out at 1.7 metres. They claimed they
would suffer cultural loss if forced to leave their island homes due to climate
change, which would sever over 40,000 years of connection to Country.
The case was heard by a Federal Court judge, who found the government had no
duty of care.
Late last year, the elders from the Guda Maluyligal nation filed an appeal.
Australia’s full Federal Court will hear the appeal this week. If successful,
the case could lead to the Australian government having to pay compensation for
the loss of culture due to climate harms."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
