A Changing Climate:

Indigenous Engagement with Climate

Change Impacts, Related Regulations and
the Green Economy

A Briefing Paper
Prepared by

Indigenous Environmental Services

Sam Jeffries
Ram Devagiri

on behalf of the
Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning
University of Technology Sydney
January 2008

Page 1 of 27

 Indigenous Environmental Services

IES@traeger.com.au
02 97058425
0412 164 758
PO Box 582
Ashfield 1800

NSW

Page 2

Contents

Introduction ..............................................................................................................4
ThedebatesofarGroundhogDay ....................................................................6
THEANCHORAGEDECLARATION .......................................................................................... 8
Climatechangesomefacts ................................................................................9
THEGREENHOUSEEFFECT ........................................................................................................ 9
HUMANINDUCEDCLIMATECHANGE ....................................................................................... 9
THEALTERNATIVEVIEW ...................................................................................................... 10
SOWHATISTOBEDONE?WHODOWEBELIEVE?.............................................................. 10
ClimateChangeImpacts ..................................................................................... 11
HEALTH.................................................................................................................................... 12
WATERMANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................... 13
FOODSECURITY ...................................................................................................................... 15
EXTREMEEVENTS ................................................................................................................... 18
DISLOCATION ........................................................................................................................... 20
TheGreenEconomyandOpportunities........................................................ 22
GREENJOBS ............................................................................................................................. 23
GREENBUSINESSES ................................................................................................................ 25

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INTRODUCTION
TheveryexistenceandenduranceofIndigenouspeoplesforthousandsofyearsononeofthedriest
continentsonearthisafittingstartingpointforthisdiscussiononthechallengesposedbyclimate
change.Fromasituation200yearsago,wherethehumanpopulationlivedinastateofecological
harmony with and within its environment what we are now confronted by in the governments
1
words is:

..the greatest social, economic and environmental challenge of our time. Scientific evidence
confirmsthathumanactivities,suchasburningfossilfuels(coal,oilandnaturalgas),agriculture
andlandclearing,haveincreasedtheconcentrationofgreenhousegasesintheatmosphere.

Asaconsequence,theearthsaveragetemperatureisrisingandweatherpatternsarechanging.
This is affecting rainfall patterns, water availability, sea levels, storm activity, droughts and
bushfirefrequency,puttingatriskAustraliancoastalcommunities,healthoutcomes,agriculture,
tourism,heritageandbiodiversityforcurrentandfuturegenerations.

When the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)2 runs a headline quoting the prestigious
Lancet3thatreads,Climatechangebiggestglobalhealththreatandcontinuesinthebodyto
claimthatthehealthofbillionswillbeaffectedbytheadverseimpactsofclimatechange,itis
fairtoassumethattheissueofclimatechangeanditsimpacthastrulyarrived.

ThereportbytheWWF,publishedonlythedaybeforetheABCreportdealswith4thethreatof
thecoraltrianglestretchingfromIndonesiatothePhilippinesbeingwipedoutandsetting100
millionpeopleonthemarchinsearchoffood.

In the second reading speech of the Australian Governments Carbon Pollution Reduction
Scheme CPRS, the Hon. Greg Combet MP says, The science tells us that unmitigated climate
changeisverylikelytoresultinenvironmentalandsocialdisruption,includingsignificantspecies
extinctions around the globe, threats to food production and severe health impacts, with
dramaticincreasesinmorbidityandmortalityoccurringfromheatwaves,floodsanddroughts.

Australia is highly exposed to the impacts of climate change. The effects on Australia's
environmentandeconomywillbeserious.Thehealthofourpopulation,thesecurityofour
water and energy supplies, and impacts on coastal communities and infrastructure all face
unprecedentedtests.
Thisishowseriousitis.
1

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009, Commentary, Page 5

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/14/2569991.htm (14/05/09)
3
http://www.thelancet.com/ (Managing the health effects of climate change UCL Lancet commission
report)
4
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8047138.stm
2

Page 4

Thecurrentclimatechangedebatewithitsdemandsforurgentandimmediateactionissurprisingonlyin
thelengthoftimethequestionshavebeenraisedinAustralianow.AreportentitledAustralia:Stateof
5
the Environment 1996 , to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, is the first ever
independentnationwideassessmentofthestatusofAustralia'senvironment.

Theintroductionreads:
Theissuesaddressedinthereportwillassistintheintegratedmanagementofournaturalresourcesina
manner which is ecologically sustainable. All sections of
thecommunitythegeneralpublic,governmentdecision
makers and policy analysts, industry groups, natural
resource planners and managers, academics and
Thecurrentdebateon
scientists, community groups and environmentalists,
climatechangeand
students and educational institutions, international
agencies, and the media will find the report an
relatedregulations..is
indispensable source of environmental information. The
fragmentedanddoes
challengeistoputthisinformationtogooduse.
nothavegovernment

The report goes on to say: Global warming and other

andcommunity
climaticchangeswhichresultfromincreasedemissionsof
engagement.
greenhouse gases pose a serious problem, both in terms
ofthedirectimpactsandthepotentialtoaggravateother
environmental problems such as biodiversity loss. We do
not appear to be making much progress in stabilising, let
alonereducing,theseemissions.

Theironyofthelastthirteenyearsisthatthedebatehashardlyprogressedinthattime.
SowhatofIndigenouspeople?ThecurrentdebateonclimatechangeandrelatedregulationsinAustralia,
theexpectedimpactonIndigenouscommunitiesandwhatopportunitiestheremaybeforAboriginaland
Torres Strait Islander people is fragmented and does not have long term government and community
engagement.Thedebatehasbeenhijackedbymedia,governmentandbusinessintoanargumentonthe
economicoutcomesonly.

The science as laid out by all the major scientific organisations in Australia and abroad is unanimous in
statingthatclimatechangeisoccurringandishumaninduced.Wedonotintendtodebatethis.
6
TheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange initsFourthassessmentreport:ClimateChange2007
hasstatedthatMostoftheobservedincreaseinglobalaveragetemperaturessincethemid20thcentury
isverylikelyduetotheobservedincreaseinanthropogenicGHGconcentrations.

Inplaintermsthismeansthatthereisamorethan90%chancethatglobalwarmingishappeningdueto
human action. And this is the consensus finding of experts from more than 130 countries [who]
contributed to this assessment, which represents six years of work. More than 450 lead authors have

5
6

http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/1996/publications/report/index.html
http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/assessments-reports.htm

Page 5

received input from more than 800 contributing authors, and an additional 2,500 experts reviewed the
7
draftdocuments.

Thesalientquestionsnoware:howcanIndigenousAustraliansbegintoengagewith
climatechangeandclimatechangeregulations.Howcantheyminimiserisksandgrab
theopportunities.

THEDEBATESOFARGROUNDHOGDAY
TwodocumentsbringthecurrentstateofthedebateonclimatechangeanditsimpactsinAustraliainto
perspective. One is the statement by the former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard,
8
SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE: AUSTRALIAS RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE 20 NOVEMBER 1997 . The
statement is remarkable for the muscular articulation of a policy direction that has become the only
frameofreferencefordiscussionsonclimatechange.

We have also made it plain that we are not prepared to see Australian jobs sacrificed and efficient
Australian industries, particularly in the resources sector, robbed of their hardearned, competitive
advantage. Moreover, we have persistently stressed the need to involve developing countries as their
participationiscrucialtoanylastingsolutiontotheglobalwarmingproblem.
Theseprincipleshaveguidedourapproach.

ThebogeymanofAustralianjobsandAustralianindustries,thespecteroftheresourcessector
robbedofitshardearnedadvantage,isnowoffandrunning.Justasimportantly,wearenowasking
developingcountries(codeforChinaandIndia)tobepartofthelastingsolution.Thisisthepolicy
positionthatweseetoday.

9
AsSujathaSingh,IndiasHighCommissionertoAustraliasaidinaspeechtotheMineralsCouncil ,"You
cannothaveanagreementwherebycountriesthatreachacertainstandardofliving,acertainlevelof
development,turnaroundandtelltherestoftheworldthatwhatwehavewegettokeep;whatwehave,
youcan'tevenaspireto."
"Wearetellingyouthatweneedtogrowifwearegoingtogiveour600millionpeoplewholiveunder$2
USdollarsadayadecentstandardofliving.""Ourpercapitaemissionswillincrease,there'snodoubt
aboutit.""ButIamassuringyouthattheywillneverincreasetowhatyouyourselvesareemitting.Soyou
haveanincentivetobringitdown.Bringitdown,we'llmatchit,wewon'texceedit."

AnotherdocumentthatisinstructiveinthisdebateistheAustralianChamberofCommerceandIndustry
(ACCI)paperonGreenhouseandClimateChangereleasedinDecember1999.Itunderscoresthepoints
madebyMr.Howardinhisstatementabove,addsthereluctanceoftheUSAtojoininanyscheme,and
concludes:
The above analysis of Australias commitments indicate that there are substantial risks for Australia in
movingtoimplementtheProtocolintheabsenceofinternationalactionandagreement.Infocusingon
our international obligations, we risk underestimating the impacts on the domestic market, which are

http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/ipcc-backgrounder.html
http://www.ecobusiness.com.au/grn/green.html
9
http://petermartin.blogspot.com/2009/05/stand-by-for-lots-more-smoke.html
8

Page 6

shapinguptobeverysignificantbutnotproperlyunderstood.Thereissignificantdownsideinactingin
10
theabsenceofinternationalagreementandwithoutafullcostbenefitassessmentofactions.
WhatisinstructiveistolookatthesubmissionmadebyACCItotheSenatestandingcommitteeinMarch
2009onthedraftCarbonPollutionReductionScheme(CPRS).ItisnotsurprisingtoseeACCIarguefora
delaythereasonsgivenareinstructive.Thereforegivencurrentglobaleconomicslowdown,thelackof
firmglobalcommitmentsonclimatechangetodateandthecoststhatmayunfairlyimposeonAustralian
smallandmediumsizedbusinesses,theresolutionoftheDecember2008ACCIGeneralCouncilmeeting
called for a delay in the implementation of the operational elements of a CPRS in Australia. ACCI also
considerstheGovernmentneedstoconsiderthecommencementoftheCPRSinthecontextofactionsby
industrialised nations, most importantly the US. The recent US draft budget paper for fiscal year 2010
unveiled the Obama administrations intention to implement a cap and trade system to reduce
greenhousegasemissionsfrom2012.
So in this Groundhog Day rerun, we are back where we
started. The Labor government has seemingly accepted
these arguments and changed its position to be exactly in
linewithindustry.
The market wins but who loses? How can the debate be
turned around from a purely corporate economic one to
Wearedeeply
oneabouttheimpactofclimatechangeandclimatechange
alarmedbythe
regulations on society in general, and include the
acceleratingclimate
disadvantaged and disenfranchised Australians in
particular?
devastationbrought
11
The CSIRO in its report states, Australia is one of the
aboutby
manyglobalregionsexperiencingsignificantclimatechange
unsustainable
asaresultofglobalemissionsofgreenhousegases(GHGs)
fromhumanactivities.Theaveragesurfaceairtemperature
development.Weare
of Australia increased by 0.7C over the past century
experiencing
warmingthathasbeenaccompaniedbymarkeddeclinesin
profoundand
regional precipitation, particularly along the east and west
coasts of the continent. These seemingly small changes
disproportionate
havealreadyhadwidespreadconsequencesforAustralia.
adverseimpactson

TheNativeTitleReport2008releasedinMay2009byTom
ourcultures,human
12
Calma states , It (climate change) also poses a major
andenvironmental
threattothephysicalhealthofIndigenouscommunitiesand
health,humanrights,
ourabilitytosustainourtraditionallife,languages,cultures
and knowledge. Further, efforts to tackle climate change
wellbeing,traditional
have the potential to entrench our economic
livelihoods,food
marginalisation by exploiting Indigenous traditional lands,
systemsandfood
watersandnaturalresourcesinthenationalinterest.

sovereignty,local
ThereisalotatstakeandyetIndigenousAustraliansare
infrastructure,
often sidelined when it comes to the important work of
developing policies and plans to respond to these pressing
economicviability,
challenges.Thishastochange.

andourverysurvival
asIndigenous
10
http://www.acci.asn.au/IssuesPapersArchiveMain.htm#1999
11 Peoples.
Climate Change Impacts on Australia and the Benefits of Early Action to Reduce Global Greenhouse

Gas Emissions Preston, B.L. and Jones, R.N. February, 2006

12
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/nt_report/ntreport08/Climate_Change_Community_Guide.html

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THEANCHORAGEDECLARATION
TheIndigenousPeoplesGlobalSummitonClimateChangeformulatedtheAnchorageDeclarationinits
gatheringinAlaska.InparttheDeclarationstates:WeexpressoursolidarityasIndigenousPeoplesliving
inareasthatarethemostvulnerabletotheimpactsandrootcausesofclimatechange.Wereaffirmthe
unbreakableandsacredconnectionbetweenland,air,water,oceans,forests,seaice,plants,animalsand
ourhumancommunitiesasthematerialandspiritualbasisforourexistence.

We are deeply alarmed by the accelerating climate devastation brought about by unsustainable
development. We are experiencing profound and disproportionate adverse impacts on our cultures,
human and environmental health, human rights, wellbeing, traditional livelihoods, food systems and
foodsovereignty,localinfrastructure,economicviability,andourverysurvivalasIndigenousPeoples.

MotherEarthisnolongerinaperiodofclimatechange,butinclimatecrisis.Wethereforeinsistonan
immediateendtothedestructionanddesecrationoftheelementsoflife.

We offer to share with humanity our Traditional Knowledge, innovations, and practices relevant to
climate change, provided our fundamental rights as intergenerational guardians of this knowledge are
fullyrecognizedandrespected.Wereiteratetheurgentneedforcollectiveaction.
Thereisavastamountofresearchandopinionavailableonthetopicofclimatechangeanditsimpacts.In
what follows a synopsis of the facts on climate change, the greenhouse effect and the predictions on
globalwarmingarepresentedwithaviewtolookingatthesubjectfromabroadIndigenousperspective.

Page 8

CLIMATECHANGESOMEFACTS
THEGREENHOUSEEFFECT
The temperature inside a greenhouse is greater than the temperature outside it because it is
designedtoallowlightenergyinandtraptheheatenergythatwouldhavereflectedback.Our
atmosphere13,unlikethatofsomeotherplanets,naturallyactsasonesuchgreenhouse.Abouta
third of the incoming solar light (shortwave radiation) is reflected back into space. The
remainder is absorbed by the earth which then radiates the acquired warmth as heat (long
wave radiation). Gases in the atmosphere such as water vapour, CO2, ozone, methane, and
nitrous oxide absorb some of this heat just as the greenhouse does and are thus known as
greenhousegases(GHG).Withouttheabilityoftheatmospheretoretainsomeoftheenergyin
theformofheatenergy,theEarthwouldsooncooltotemperatureswherehumanlifewouldbe
untenableandunsustainable.

Anaturalcarboncycle14hasregulatedthecarbonbudgetbymovingitinmanyformsbetween
thebiosphere,atmosphere,oceans,andgeosphere.Anexampleofthiscycleistheprocessof
photosynthesisinplants,absorbingcarbonfromatmosphericCO2 andthusconvertingitfroma
gasintoasolid.Similarlyvastquantitiesofcarbonarestoredasverydilutecarbonicacidinthe
ocean and are used by marine biota for photosynthesis. If the quantity of greenhouse gases
increasesintheatmosphereasawholeeitherthroughthecarboncycleincreasingtheamount
of carbon released into the atmosphere from one of the other states, (gas, solid or liquid) or
throughanexternalactivitysuchasthehumanburningoffossilfuelsreleasingGHGsthecycle
could itself drive further changes. Such a feedback loop can be seen in the melting of the
permafrostduetowarmerweatherreleasingmethanetrappedintheice.

HUMANINDUCEDCLIMATECHANGE
Ever since the industrial revolution, man has used carbon based energy to fuel economic expansion.
Human activity through industry has released vast quantities of greenhouse gases, about 900 billion
tonnesofCO2,ofwhichabout450billiontonneshasstayedintheatmosphere.AbouttwothirdsofCO2
iscausedbyindustrialisationandtherestbylandusesuchasdeforestation.Icecoredatatellsusthatthe
longtermconcentrationofCO2intheatmosphereisaround280partspermillion(ppm).
CharlesKeelingbegantakingmeasurementsofatmosphericCO2 atthetopofMaunaLoainHawaiifrom
1958. He found that the concentration of CO2 was at 318 ppm. The recording in 2008 shows this
15
concentration is now at 387 ppm . Ice core samples tell us that over the last 650,000 years, the
concentrationhasrangedbetween180ppmand300ppmdependingonwheretheearthwasinitsice
agecycles.

13

http://www.cmar.csiro.au/e-print/open/holper_2001b.html
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/CarbonCycle/
15
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=5620
14

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At the same time the temperature has been increasing. Average global temperatures have risen 0.76
degreeCandinthesametimethesealevelhasrisenover4cm.Thetwelvewarmestyearsonrecordin
the last 150 years have been in the past thirteen. 1998 was the warmest then 2005, 2002, 2003 and
2004.Giventheevidence,mostscientificorganisationsareofthebeliefthatglobalwarmingisoccurring
andthatthecauseofthisishumaninduced.

THEALTERNATIVEVIEW
Thereisofcourseanalternateview.TheargumentsputforwardbythosewhodonotagreewiththeIPCC
consensusonclimatechangearemanyandvaried.Theyrangefromdoubtsabouttheveryexistenceof
globalwarmingtoquestionsnotaboutthewarmingbutaboutitscauses.
Alotofdataisavailableontheinternet16andbooks17arereleasedeveryweekwithfacts,figuresand
graphsrefutingtheoccurrenceofclimatechangeorthecausesofclimatechange.
Muchofthedatapresentedasproofisindeedcorrect.However,subsequentreviewoftenreveals
unwarrantedassumptionsandfaultyconclusions.Thereareprobablylesscertaintiesthanwewouldlike,
andwemaintaingreaterscientificuncertaintyshouldleadtomoreconcernratherthanless.
Asanexampleofthedebate,oneofarangeofoutcomespredictedattheextremerangeofpossibilitiesis
theclathrategunhypothesis18.Thefactsofthecasearethatclathrateisatypeoficethattraps
enormousquantitiesofmethanewithinitscrystals.Itisknownthattherearedepositsofclathrate
underseaonthecontinentalshelf.Duetotheenormousdepthsthatthemethaneisheldin,itisinavery
compressedformandoneliteroftheclathratecancontainaround168litersofmethanegas.
Thehypothesisclaimsthatanexternaleventsuchaswarmingwouldcausethemethanetobereleased
orshotintotheatmosphereasfromagun,thuscausingahugewarmingeventthroughthegreenhouse
effect.

Whilethishypothesisisdiscussedaspartoftheongoingdebate,itisnotsupportedasacredibletheory.It
isonepossibilityattheextremesthatmayoccur.Theargumentsforandagainstclimatechangecan
becomeentangledindebateoversuchminutiaeandleavethelaypersonnonethewiser.Theburdenof
proofiscertainlyonthescientificcommunitythatclaimsitishappening.Anyglobalemergencyaskingfor
massivegovernmentintervention,radicalchangestotheeconomyandafundamentalrethinkofthe
developmentalmodelofthelasttwohundredyearsshouldbetreatedsceptically.

SOWHATISTOBEDONE?WHODOWEBELIEVE?
TheconsensusamongtheoverwhelmingmajorityofclimatescientistsisthattheconcentrationsofGHGs
intheatmospherearenowdangerouslyhigh.TheOECD,whosedataoneconomicsisaccepted,widely
19
reportedandusedasareliablesourceofinformationpublishedareport ClimateChangeMitigation
Whatdowedo?in2008.To quote, Climate change is a fact of life. We need to act
urgently if we are to avoid an irreversible build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and
global warming at a potentially huge cost to the economy and society worldwide.
OECDanalysissuggeststhatifweactnow,wehave10to15yearsbreathingspaceduringwhich
actionispossibleatarelativelymodestcost.Buteveryyearofdelayreducesthisbreathingspace,while
16

http://www.climate-skeptic.com/2007/09/table-of-conten.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25372986-30417,00.html
18
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/ockhamsrazor/stories/2009/2577170.htm
19
http://www.oecd.org/findDocument/0,3354,en_2649_34361_1_1_1_1_1,00.html
17

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requiringevermorestringentmeasurestomakeadifference.Currentfinancialturmoilisnotareasonto
delay.Indeed,itsmacroeconomicconsequenceswillberesolvedinarelativelyshorttime,afterwhich
growthwillresume,whiletheconsequencesofinactiononglobalwarmingwillcontinuetogrowmore
andmorecostlyovertime.

OECDpronouncementsoneconomicmattershavelongbenacepted,itisprudenttodosointhis
instanceaswell.

CLIMATECHANGEIMPACTS
There is an enormous amount of information available on the current and future impacts of climate
changeontheenvironment.Thedataontheimpactsrelatestotemperaturechanges,risesinsealevels,
changesintheacidityofoceans,icethickness,meltingratesatthePolesandotherphenomena.

Chapter4ofCLIMATECHANGEANAUSTRALIANGUIDETOTHESCIENCEANDPOTENTIAL
IMPACTSsaysthisofthecapacityforIndigenouscommunitiestocopewiththeseimpacts:
Thepresentsocialcircumstancesofindigenouspeoplesprovideapoorbasisonwhichtobuild
adaptationresponsestoclimatechangethreats.Thus,policiesthataimtoimproveresilienceto
climatechangeimpactscouldencompasseffortstoreducerelevantsocialliabilitiessuchas
poverty,pooreducation,unemployment,andincarceration,andsupportmechanismsthat
maintainculturalintegrity.Adaptivestrategiescouldpursueeconomicdevelopmentofthese
communitieswhilesustainingtheenvironmentsonwhichthesepopulationsaredependent
(Howitt,1993).Strengtheningcommunicationbetweenindigenouscommunities,scientists,
healthworkersanddecisionmakersisessential(Bakeretal.,2001).

InpassingitisinterestingtonotethatthiswasapublicationreleasedundertheformerLiberal
Nationalsgovernmentin2003.Theissueshavebeensetoutbylookingatsixkeyareasthat
haveadirectimpactonthelivesofIndigenousAustralians.

1. Health
2. Watermanagement
3. Foodsecurity
4. Extremeevents
5. Populationsanddislocation
6. Greenjobsandopportunities

ForanyoneunfamiliarwiththereferencethecurrentcircumstancesasfarasAustralias
20
IndigenouspopulationisconcernedtheProductivityCommissionsongoingresearchpaper
OvercomingIndigenousDisadvantageisrecommended.Thelatesteditionofthereport,
OvercomingIndigenousDisadvantage:KeyIndicators2007wasreleasedon1June2007.
Previouseditionswerepublishedin2003and2005.

20

http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/indigenous

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HEALTH
Climatechangeisthebiggestglobalhealththreatofthe21stcenturysaysresearchconductedforthe
21
GlobalHealthCommissionbytheLancetandUniversityCollegeLondon .

Effectsofclimatechangeonhealthwillaffectmostpopulationsinthenextdecadesandputthelivesand
wellbeingofbillionsofpeopleatincreasedrisk.Duringthiscentury,earthsaveragesurfacetemperature
risesarelikelytoexceedthesafethresholdof2Cabovepreindustrialaveragetemperature.Management
ofthehealtheffectsofclimatechangewillrequireinputsfromallsectorsofgovernmentandcivilsociety,
collaborationbetweenmanyacademicdisciplines,andnewwaysofinternationalcooperationthathave
hithertoeludedus.Involvementoflocalcommunitiesinmonitoring,discussing,advocating,andassisting
withtheprocessofadaptationwillbecrucial.

22
TheGarnautreview outlinestheimpactonhealthasfollows:
Severeweatherevents(floods,storms,cyclones,bushfires)
Temperatureextremes,includingheatwaves
Infectiousdiseases(vectorbornedenguevirusandRossRivervirus)
Foodborneinfectiousdiseases
Waterborneinfectiousdiseasesandhealthrisksfrompoorwaterquality
Diminishedfoodproductionandhigherprices,withnutritionalconsequences
Increasesinairpollution(forexample,frombushfiresmoke)
Changesinproductionofaeroallergens(spores,pollens),potentiallyexacerbatingasthmaandother
allergicrespiratorydiseases
Mentalhealthconsequencesandtheemotionalcostofsocial,economicanddemographicdislocation
(forexample,inpartsofruralAustralia,andthroughdisruptionstotraditionalwaysoflivinginremote
Indigenouscommunities).

TheCSIROreport,ClimateChangeImpactsonAustraliaandtheBenefitsofEarlyActiontoReduceGlobal
23
GreenhouseGasEmissions ,however,suggeststhatAustraliaspublichealthsystemwillbeabletocope
wellwiththeimpact:

Duetoitsrelativelyhighadaptivecapacity,thevulnerabilityofAustraliaspublichealthsectoris
relativelylow,althoughonecanidentifydemographicgroups,suchasAustraliasaboriginalpopulation,
withelevatedvulnerabilitytohealthchallengesduetolimitedaccesstofinancialandpublichealth
resources.

Theeffectsofclimatechangeonheatrelatedmortalitysuggestthatincreasesintemperaturecombined
withpopulationgrowthmayresultinanincreaseinheatrelateddeathsoverthenextcenturyafter
adjustingfordecreasesincoldandozonerelated mortality.Climatechangecouldcauselargeincreases
infloodingdeathsandinjuries,dependinguponfuturechangesinprecipitationextremes.Climatechange
couldcausetherangeofmosquitovectorsfordengueandmalariatoexpandsouthward.

21

http://www.thelancet.com/climate-change
http://www.garnautreview.org.au/chp6.htm#6_3
23
Preston, B.L. and Jones, R.N. February, 2006 CSIRO
22

Page 12

However,publichealthinterventionstargetingmalariaduringthe1960shavelargelyeliminatedtherisk
oftransmissionandreintroductionofthediseaseisunlikely.Incontrast,thetransmissionofdengue
continuesinAustralia,althoughcasesarelargelyconfinedtonorthernQueensland.Properpublichealth
interventionsmaypreventsubstantiveincreasesindenguetransmission.Somestudieshavealso
suggestedthatclimatechangecouldincreasetransmissionofRossRivervirusinregionsofAustralia,but
lessisknownabouttheepidemiologyofthisdisease.

SoingeneralAustraliashouldbeabletocope.However,thepeoplewhowillbemostaffected,according
toboththeGarnautreviewandtheCSIROreport,istheIndigenouspopulation,principallythrough
impactsonhealth,disproportionatetothegeneralpopulationofAustralians.

Alreadywehaveseenadenguefeveroutbreakofover100024casesinAustralia.Ofthe
1001cases,73havebeenconfirmedinTownsvillewhiletheremaining928caseshave
beenfoundinCairnsandatInnisfail,Mareeba,PortDouglas,YarrabahandInjinoo.

In2005,theMedicalJournalofAustralia25reportedontwodeathsin2004andsaid
thesewere,tomyknowledge,thefirstfatalitiesrelatedtodenguefeverinAustraliain
overacentury.Previousfatalitiesweredescribedduringalargeepidemicofdengue
feverinChartersTowers(northQueensland)in1897.

SouthwestWesternAustraliareportedover200
casesofRossRiverVirusinfectionsearlyin2009.
ThecauseofRossRivervirus(RRV)diseasewas
confirmedin1971byitsisolationfromtheblood
..onecanidentify
ofanAboriginalboywiththedisease.Itis
demographicgroups,
interestingtospeculateonthereactionifthe
suchasAustralias
onethousandcasesofdenguefever,knownalso
aboriginalpopulation,
asbreakbonefeveroccurredinmetropolitan
areas.
withelevated

vulnerabilitytohealth

challengesdueto
limitedaccessto
financialandpublic
healthresources.

Inadditiontothoseimpactsearlierlisted,Indigenous
Australianshavesufferedtheeffectsofotherphenomena:
severeweather,foodandwaterborneinfectiousdiseases,
nutritionalconsequencesofstressonfoodproduction,
andthelike,especiallyinthoseclimaticzonesinAustralia
thatarepronetotheseconditions.

WATERMANAGEMENT
AsthedriestinhabitedcontinentonearthAustraliaandits
Indigenousinhabitantshaveparticularchallengestoface.
TheGarnautreview(figure6.2)talksofa92%dropbymid
24
25

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/05/09/41711_local-news.html
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_01_040705/mcb10834_fm.html

Page 13

centuryintheirrigatedagriculturalproductionofthenationsbreadbaskettheMurrayDarlingbasin.
ThewheatharvestsofVictoriaaresettofallby25%anditispredictedthatinWAAbout34percent
additionalcapitalexpenditurewillbeneededtoprovidealternativewatersupplies.Overthecourseof
thecentury,continuedreductionsinwateravailabilitywillleadtoincreasesinthecostofminingactivity
andtemporarycutbacksinproduction.

26
Theprimeministerswebsite statesthisaboutthechallenge:Astheimpactofclimatechange
intensifies,Australiafacesincreasinglyacutelongtermwatershortagesbothinourcitiesandregional
areaswithlowerrainfall,riversdryingupanddamwaterlevelsfalling.Tacklingthewatercrisisisa
majorlongtermpriorityfortheAustralianGovernment.Tacklingthewatercrisisandsecuringourfuture
watersupplyrequiresallAustralianstoworktogethertousewatermoreefficiently,cutwaterwastage,
moreeffectivelycapturerainandstormwater,andadapttotheimpactofclimatechange.

AlthoughtherehavebeenforecastsofdecreasedrainfallinmanyareasofAustralia.Researchbythe
27
CSIRO predictsthatby2040,climatepatternsfortheeasterncoastofAustraliaarelikelytobringabout
moreintenseandmorefrequentextremerainfallevents.Themostvulnerableregionsforextremerainfall
includeCoffsHarbour,Coolangatta,northofBrisbane,andovermountainousterrain(CSIRO2004).

AlltheissuesrelatingtowaterinAustraliaapplyparticularlytotheIndigenouscommunitiesespeciallyin
28
regionalandremoteareas.ResearchconductedbyFlindersUniversity isinstructiveinlookingatthe
watermanagementchallengeasitintensifiestheissuesmentionedabove.

TheresearchpointsoutthattwelvecommunitieswereincludedintheresearchfromGerardinthesouth
easttoPukatjainthesouthwest.WatersupplyinSAistheresponsibilityofSAWaterforallregions
excepttheAboriginalcommunities.HerehistoricallytheresponsibilityhassatwiththeStateDepartment
ofAboriginalAffairs(DOSAA,DAARE).Therehasonlybeenverylimitedinvolvementofthecommunities
themselvesinthemanagementofwaterandnowincreasinglytheservicehasbeenoutsourced
(researchersquotes)toWaterSA.

Thepresentationgoesontosaythatwhilesupplyisgenerallyadequate,bothinrelationtoinfrastructure
andsupplyfromsource,therewereperiodswheneitherduetohotweatherorchangeinlevelsof
population.Italsoaddsthatthelifeofthewatersourceiseitherlimitedorunknown.Highlevelsof
salinity,chloride,fluoride,turbidityandtotalhardnessarecommonfactorsofwatersourcedandthe
wateristreatedtomakeitpotable.

Sohowwillthisprecariousscenariobeimpactedbyclimatechange?Ifdroughtsaretoworseninthearid
andsemiaridzones,theprognosiscannotbepositive.
29
RobinBanks,CEOofthePublicInterestAdvocacyCentresaidinMarch2007 ,In1994theHumanRights
andEqualOpportunityCommissionreportedon'thirdworld'standardsofwaterandsanitationservicesin
AboriginalcommunitiesacrossAustralia.Thesecommunitieshavebeenwaitingforovertenyearsfor
Governmenttotakeurgentlyneededaction.
TheUNCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsstates,Thehumanrighttowaterentitles
everyonetosufficient,safe,acceptable,physicallyaccessibleandaffordablewaterforpersonaland
26

http://www.pm.gov.au/topics/climate.cfm
More Floods, population: more on the coasts CSIRO 2003 Dr Debbie Abbs
28
Tom Jenkin, School of Geography, Population and Environmental Management, Flinders University
2004
27

29

http://www.piac.asn.au/news/media/20070321_watersewra.html

Page 14

domesticuses.Anadequateamountofsafewaterisnecessarytopreventdeathfromdehydration,to
reducetheriskofwaterrelateddiseaseandtoprovideforconsumption,cooking,personalanddomestic
hygienicrequirements.
Withoutspecificregionalandcommunitylevelresearch,communitiesarenotinapositiontoplanand
participateinwatermanagement.Researchoverwhelminglypointstomoredrynessinthedroughtprone
areasandmorefloodsforthewetareasofAustralia.ForIndigenouscommunitiestoparticipate,
contributeandmanageissuesrelatingtowater,longrangestudiesneedtobeconductedwitheducation
andtrainingbeingafirststeptowardscommunityengagementandmanagementofthisvitalissue.

FOODSECURITY
Naturallyclimatechangewillimpactonagriculture.Therearesomewinnersinthis.Higherlatitudes
includingpartsofEuropeandthewesternUSAwillbecomewarmerandwetterwithanextendedgrowing
season.Thisprovidesthepotentialforanincreasedlevelofproduction,thoughproducersmayneedto
adaptandchangetheiragriculturaltechniquesandthetypesofcropsgrown.
However,anumberofaridandsemiaridareasmaysimplyfalloutofagriculturalproduction.Theposition
offoodsecurityforIndigenousAustraliaisinstarkcontrasttotherestofAustralia.Neitherclimate
changenorclimatevariabilityarenewfactorswithinagriculture.Howeverthenatureoftheexpected
changesaregraphicallyhighlightedinthereport,THECORALTRIANGLE
ANDCLIMATECHANGE:ECOSYSTEMS,PEOPLEANDSOCIETIESATRISKreleasedbyWWFandthe
UniversityofQueensland.Accordingtothisresearch,coralreefscoulddisappearentirelyfromtheCoral
TriangleregionofthePacificOceanbytheendofthecentury,threateningthefoodsupplyandlivelihoods
ofabout100millionpeople.Thuswehaveawholenewlevelofuncertainty.

30
TheFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO) definesfoodsecurityasasituationthatexistswhenall
people,atalltimes,havephysical,social,andeconomicaccesstosufficient,safe,andnutritiousfoodthat
meetstheirdietaryneedsandfoodpreferencesforanactiveandhealthylife.
Thisdefinitioncomprisesfourkeydimensionsoffoodsupplies:availability,stability,access,and
utilisation.Thereisavastamountofresearchavailableontheapplicabilityofthesecriteriatothe
situationonfoodsecurityforIndigenouscommunities.
31
TheDieticiansAssociationofAustralia(DAA) states:
EventhoughAustraliahasanabundantfoodsupplyandawellestablishedsocialsecuritysafetynet,there
areseveralgroupsinourcommunitieswhosefoodsecurityisvulnerable.Theyinclude:
peoplewholiveinremoteareas;
allIndigenousAustralians;
homelesspeople;
peopleonlowincomes;
disabledandagedpeople;and
asylumseekersandmigrants.
AllIndigenousAustralians.

30
31

http://www.fao.org/
http://www.daa.asn.au/index.asp?PageID=2145834445

Page 15

TheimpactsarestatedbytheDAAas:Foodinsecurityhasshortandlongtermimpactsonthehealthof
individuals,familiesandsociety.Peoplewhoworryaboutfoodreportimpairedthinkingandphysical
abilityandmoreillness.Foodinsecuritydisruptsfamilylifecausingchangestoeatingpatternsandfamily
ritualsandnegativelyimpactsemotionsandfamilyrelationships.Foodinsecurityalsocausessocial
disruptionwithincreasedabsenteeismandreducedparticipationinsocietybeingreportedbypeoplewho
donothavefoodsecurity.
Sothatisthescenarioagainstwhichtheimpactofclimatechangeonfoodsecuritycanbeviewed.Prices
andavailabilityproblemsmeanthataccesstosuitableandaffordablestaplesisstillanoverwhelming
issueinmostregionalandremotecommunities.
32
Inhisreport,Drought,ClimateChangeandFoodPricesinAustralia,JohnQuiggin theAustralian
ResearchCouncilFederationFellowattheSchoolofEconomicsandSchoolofPoliticalScienceand
InternationalStudies,UniversityofQueenslandsays,Over coming decades, the global frequency
and severity of drought is likely to increase as a result of climate change. Regional
projections suggest that south-eastern Australia will be adversely affected by changes in
rainfall patterns, as well as by rising temperatures, which increase the severity of
drought. By 2070 there may be 40% more months of drought in eastern Australia, and
conditions will be worse in a high-emissions scenario. The current drought may represent
the beginning of this process. Higher average temperatures, due in part to humancaused climate change, have certainly exacerbated its impact.
Other changes, such as increases in the severity of storms, will also have adverse
effects. The result for Australian consumers will be rises in average food prices and in
the frequency and severity of price spikes. For foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables
that are supplied mainly by local producers, price
shocks similar to those being experienced by
Australian consumers during the current severe
drought may start to occur every two to four
The result for
years, rather than once a decade, unless strong
action is taken to reduce global emissions.
Australian

consumers will be
rises in average
food prices and in
the frequency and
severity of price
spikes.
Atableheincludesinhis
reportisparticularly
illustrativeofwhat
communitiesmightexpect
fromaclimateprice
32

Price effect
of drought or
other severe
weather
events*

http://www.uq.edu.au/economics/johnquiggin/

Page 16

Effect of severe climate change (more than 2C

global warming)

shock.Food category
Vegetables

200507:
+33%

Fruit

200507:
+43%
Bananas 200506: +300%
2002-03:
+100%
200507:
+17%

Honey
Bread

Locally produced products such as these are vulnerable to

price spikes during local droughts. Price shocks similar to
those experienced in the current drought may occur every
two to four years, instead of once per decade as has been the
historical norm. If some producers are unable to adjust to
severe changes, permanently elevated price levels could
result.

Bread prices depend in part on global wheat prices. Global

wheat yields are likely to decline for temperature increases
of more than 3C (IPCC 2007). This would increase global
prices and is likely to cause permanently elevated prices for
bread.
For eggs, dairy and many meat products, water and grain for
feed are important inputs. As with bread, increases of more
than 3C would continue to drive up global grain prices,
while climate change is likely to decrease water supplies.
Dairy that is dependent on irrigated pasture is vulnerable to
water scarcity, while native pasture capacity will decline by
up to 40% for temperature increases greater than 2C
(Preston & Jones 2006). Severe climate change is likely to
cause permanently elevated prices, with further shocks
during periods of drought.

Eggs

200507:
+17%

Milk and dairy products

200507:
+11%
200507: +4%
Lamb 200003:
+59%
Beef 200003:
+31%
2005-07: +12%
2002-03: +4.4%
2005-07: +6%
2002-03: +2.7%

Meat and seafood

All food products

CPI

Quigginconcludes,ClimatechangewillaffectAustraliansinmanydifferentways.Recentincreasesin
grocerypricesareadirectillustrationofthechangesthatwillaffecttheentireplanetifglobalwarmingis
allowedtocontinueunchecked.ImmediateactiontoputAustralia,andtheworld,onasustainablepath
tothefutureisessential.
33
WritingintheMedicalJournalofAustralia ,MichaelSGraceysaid,Thirtyyearsago,Iwroteashort
articleentitledUndernutritioninthemidstofplenty:nutritionalproblemsofyoungAustralian
33

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/186_01_010107/gra10660_fm.html

Page 17

Aborigines.Appropriatelyforthetime,emphasiswasonchildhoodundernutrition,therelatedhigh
infectiousdiseaseburdenandthemuchhighermortalityratesinIndigenousinfantsandyoungchildren
thanintheirnonIndigenouscounterparts.Awarenessoftheseproblemsamonghealthprofessionalsand
thewidercommunitybegantoemergeonlyinthelate1960sandearly1970.
34
CallsforIndigenouscommunityfreshfoodschemereadstheheadlineinanABCreport datedMay
2009.AstudypublishedintheMedicalJournalofAustraliahasfoundIndigenouspeopleinremote
communitiestendtohavedietshighinenergydense,nutrientpoorfoods.Itsayspeoplechoosetofillup
onthesefoodsbecausetheyarecheaperthanbuyingfreshfruit,vegetablesandmeat.
WithpricesexpectedtocontinuetorisewellaboveCPI,thechallengeoffoodsecurityinanageofclimate
changetakesonanewurgency.

EXTREMEEVENTS
TheIPCC35intalkingofobservedchangestotheclimatesays,Atcontinental,regional,and
oceanbasinscales,numerouslongtermchangesinclimatehavebeenobserved.Theseinclude
changesinArctictemperaturesandice,widespreadchangesinprecipitationamounts,ocean
salinity,windpatternsandaspectsofextremeweatherincludingdroughts,heavyprecipitation,
heatwavesandtheintensityoftropicalcyclones."

36
TheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration undertookresearchinrelationtoextreme
weathereventsduetoclimatechangeexpectedinNorthAmerica.Amongthefindingsreportedarethat
droughts,heavydownpours,excessiveheat,andintensehurricanesarelikelytobecomemore
commonplaceashumanscontinuetoincreasetheatmosphericconcentrationsofheattrapping
greenhousegases.
Thereportisbasedonscientificevidencethatawarmingworldwillbeaccompaniedbychangesinthe
intensity,duration,frequency,andgeographicextentofweatherandclimateextremes.

ThereisnodoubtastotheimpactofclimatechangeonextremeweathereventsinAustralia.
Whileclimatechangedoesnotcreatebushfiresorfloodswhatisobservedisanintensificationofthe
climateevents.Droughtsarelonger,summersarehotterandstormsaremorepowerful.

Indigenouscommunitieswillbeparticularlyimpacted,aswehavealreadystated.However,littleifany
researchhasbeenconductedastothespecificimpactsonparticularcommunities.

TomCalmainhisrecentlyreleasedNativeTitleReport2008hasincludedachapteronclimatechange:
ThisyearsreportincludestwocasestudiesonefromtheTorresStraitIslandsandtheotherfromthe
MurrayDarlingBasinwhichhighlighttheparticularchallengesandopportunitiesforAboriginaland
TorresStraitIslandercommunities.Indifferentways,theybothpointtotheneedforAustraliasclimate
changeresponsetoprotectfundamentalhumanrights,especiallytherightsofthosewhoarethemost
vulnerable.

34

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/17/2572647.htm?section=australia
http://ipccinfo.com/extreme.php
36
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080619_climatereport.html
35

Page 18

37

InBrewarrinaisinfarwesternNSWthetemperature forFebruary,asseenontheBureauof
Meteorologywebsite,showsameantemperatureof35degrees.Withitsmeantemperaturepredictedto
increasebytwodegreesoverthenexttwodecades,whataretheimplicationsoftheriseintemperature
fortheschoolandthestudentsattendingschoolinBrewarrina?

Weseethebigtreesnearthebeachfallingdown.Theseagrassthatthedugongseatyouusedtofind
longpatchesofitbutnotanymore.Thecoralsaredying
andthesandisgettingsweptawayandexposingrock.Ron
May,aMurrayIslandelderisquotedinTomCalmasreport.

Weseethebigtrees
Theabilityforcommunitiestocopewiththechangesis
limitedbythelackofcommunityandregionspecific
nearthebeachfalling
information.Alongrangeresearchprogrammethatbegins
down.Theseagrass
tooutlinetheimpactsofsevereweathereventsandtherise
thatthedugongseat
intemperatureoncommunitiesisurgentlyrequired.

youusedtofind
longpatchesofit
butnotanymore.The
coralsaredyingand
thesandisgetting
sweptawayand
exposingrock.

37

Thecombinedimpactofincreasingsealevelriseand
extremeweathereventsislikelytoresultinanincreasing
occurrenceandseverityoffloodsurges.Researchshowsthat
witha20cmsealevelrise,waterlevelswouldlikelydouble
witha40cmrise,anddamagecostsassociatedwithflooding
wouldincreasebyupto50%.Overall,itisnowwidelyagreed
thatsealevelrisewillriseby1040cmby2040.

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_048015_All.shtml

Page 19

DISLOCATION
TheNortherTerritorygovernmentsplanstoscalebackservicescurrentlyprovidedtooverfivehundred
communitiesbycreatingtwentyeconomichubsisapointertothedebatethathasnotyetbegun.Remote
andregionalcommunitieshavetocometotermswiththefactthatachangingclimatemaycreate
dislocationandthelossofhardwonprivileges.Communities
leadingtraditionallifestylesmaybeforcedtoaggregateas
internalclimaterefugeesintotownscreatedforthepurpose.

Giventhelong
Discussiononthetopicofclimaterefugeesfocusesonthe
experienceof
38
39
plightoftheCarterets ,theMaldives orthefearofahundred
40
dispossessionand
millionhungrycoraltriangledwellers turninguponAustralias
displacementthatis
doorstep.Theseareofcourselegitimatefears.Thestoryabout
theCarteretsisparticularlytopical.Asof2015,theislandsand
therealityfor
atollsthatmakeupthegroupareexpectedtohavesunkbelow
Indigenous
therisingsea.Theirpeoplearethefirstofwhatisexpectedto
beaverylargenumberofclimaterefugees.TheCarterets
Australiansclimate
IslandersreceivedpermissionfromPNGin2005tostart
changeinduced
planningtheirrelocationandthisbeganin2007.

dislocationmaybea
41
ProfessorSirMuirGray,writinginTheTimes ,saysthat,
chapterwaitingtobe
millions of climate refugees will disrupt the borders of
written.Thecycleof
even an island nation. The Institute for Environment and
Human Security, a UN body, states that climate change
dispossessionand
has already created around 20 million displaced persons
resistancecould
globally. This number is set to go up to 50 million over the
next few years and reach a staggering 150 million by
easilyberepeatedif
42
2050 .
thethreattoregional

andremote
communitiesfrom
climatechangeisnot
takenintoaccount
andlongterm
planningfor
adaptationand
mitigationadopted.

38

CommissionerCalmainhisreportsays,AboriginalandTorres
StraitIslanderpeoplehadmuchtocontributetomitigation
effortsandindevelopingculturebasedeconomiesinareassuch
asbiodiversityconservation,landandwatermanagement.
"ItisclearthatIndigenousAustraliansaremajorstakeholdersin
developingandadvancinganationalclimatechangepolicy,"he
said.

Thiswillbecrucialtorespondingtoclimatechange,
maintainingbiologicaldiversityandpreservingimportant
ecosystems."

http://solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=3964
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3930765.stm
40
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3930765.stm
41
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6355257.ece
42
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/11/1118_051118_disaster_refugee.html
39

Page 20

ThisengagementshouldbedrivenfromwithinIndigenousAustralia.Theprospectofclimatechange
relateddislocationfromcountry,extremeweatherevents,evenpoorerhealthoutcomesandfurther
economicmarginalisationcannotbepassivelytolerated.

EngagementhastobeactiveandtheagendaforthedebatemustbesetbyIndigenousAustraliansalong
withgovernments.Thedebateonclimatechangeimpactshouldtakeintoaccountthefollowingkey
topics:

Awholeofgovernmentplantotackleimpactsonwellbeing,healthandeconomy
InclusionofindigenouspeopleintheNorthAustraliaTaskforceasequaleconomicparticipants
Provisionofinformationonimpacts,risksandopportunities
Regionaldatacollectionandimpactanalysis
Longtermplanningforthefutureof
communities:planningfordisastermitigation
andemergencyresponsestorms,floodsetc
Discussiononthelongtermavailabilityand
"Todate,however,
affordabilityofenergy
Regionalwatermanagementplans
therehasbeenlittle
Assessmentofgreenprojectscapacity
attempttofoster
(includingregionspecificassessments)
genuine,coordinated

Onlybytakingagenerationalviewoftheissuesthat
andsustained
climatechangeraisescantheimpactsbeplannedfor
participationby
withmitigationandadaptationstrategiesbeingadopted
fortheverylongterm.
AboriginalandTorres

StraitIslander
peoples.Ifwemove
nowtoensurethat
AboriginalandTorres
StraitIslanderpeoples
areactivelyengaged
inalllevelsof
managementand
decisionmakingthat
affecttheirlivelihoods
andcommunities,we
canbenefitfrom
Indigenoustraditional
knowledge,land
managementand
conservation
practices."

Page 21

THEGREENECONOMYANDOPPORTUNITIES
Havinglookedatthesomeoftherisksthatclimatechangeispredictedtocreate,wenowlookatthe
opportunitiesthatmayariseoutoftheregulationsthatwillgovernnationalandinternationalefforts.

Inthelastfewyearsthegreeneconomyhasbeenmuchheraldedandthegreencollarjobisverymuch
partofthenews.Opportunitieswithregardreforestationandrenewableenergyaredailytoutedasthe
fastapproachingtomorrowthatwillnotonlytakeusawayfromthepollutingcarbonbasedeconomy,but
alsointheprocesscreatejobs.

Tounderstandthescopeandsizeofthepredictedchangesarisingoutofagreeneconomyitisinstructive
tolookatwhatismeantbygreenjobsandwheretheseexisttoday.TheUnitedNationsEnvironment
43
Programmeinits2008report,GreenJobs:TowardsSustainableWorkinaLowCarbonWorld ,defines
greenjobsas,Wedefinegreenjobsasworkinagricultural,manufacturing,researchanddevelopment
(R&D),administrative,andserviceactivitiesthatcontributesubstantiallytopreservingorrestoring
environmentalquality.

Specifically,butnotexclusively,thisincludesjobsthathelptoprotectecosystemsandbiodiversity;reduce
energy,materials,andwaterconsumptionthroughhighefficiencystrategies;decarbonizetheeconomy;
andminimizeoraltogetheravoidgenerationofallformsofwasteandpollution.

Thecreationofthesejobstakesmanyforms.
Themostsimpleoftheseisthetransformationofexistingandcurrentjobsastechnology
changesandenvironmentallybeneficialpracticesaretakenupbyexistingoccupationsand
businesses.Plumbers,electricians,constructionworkersareexampleswherewecanseethis
happeningalready.Greenplumbersandgreenelectriciansarealreadyverymuchpartofthe
44
trade.TheGreenBuildingCouncilofAustralia saysitisitsmissiontodevelopasustainable
propertyindustryforAustraliaanddrivetheadoptionofgreenbuildingpracticesthrough
marketbasedsolutions.ItskeyobjectivesaretodrivethetransitionoftheAustralianproperty
industrytowardssustainabilitybypromotinggreenbuildingprograms,technologies,design
practicesandoperationsaswellastheintegrationofgreenbuildinginitiativesintomainstream
design,constructionandoperationofbuildings.
Renewableenergywind,solar,biomass,geothermal,wave,etc,willleadtonewenergyjobs
replacingold,highlypollutingjobs.TheClimateInstituteresearchsays$31billionworthofclean
energyprojectsalreadyinthepipeline,manyinregionalareas,willgenerate2500permanent
jobs,15,000constructionjobsand8600associatedpositions.Thesedonotincludejobsin
householdsolarhotwatersystemsorinsulationandbasetheirnumbersonsurveyinginvestors
ratherthanmodeling.
Astechnologyshifts,newjobsarecreated,suchaselectriccarenergygridmaintenance,
manufacture,useofenergyefficiencyandlowemissionstechnologies.
Energyaudits,buildingdesign,landscaping,useofsolarpassivearchitectureetc,arealready
startingtocreatejobsinthisarea.Theneedtoretrofitlowemissionstechnologytoentire
economiesisasignificantareaforemployment.

43
44

http://www.unep.org/publications/search/pub_details_s.asp?ID=4002
http://www.gbca.org.au/

Page 22

Naturalresourcemanagement,reforestationandafforestation,controlofvegetation,land
management,agriculturalpractice,areallundergoingafundamentalshiftandwillrequire
significantinputsfromskilledworkers.Itispredictedthatmanymillionsofhectaresofland
willgetconvertedtoforestryinordertocreatecarbonsinks.Notonlythejobsrelatedto
thisactivitybutalltheancillaryjobsinnurseries,seedcollectionetc,willneedtobe
developedandstaffed.
Watermanagement,recycling,stormwaterreuse,cleaningupofthewaterwaysandriver
systemsiswellonitswaytobeingestablishedasanimportantregionalemployer.
Currentlythewatersectoremploysmorethan80,000peopleinurbanandregionaljobs.
Thiscomparestotheentirecoalindustryemploying130,000peopleofwhichonly30,000
aredirectlyemployed.

GREENJOBS

Thetechnologicalpaceofjobsinthegreensectorisrapidand,withsignificantinvestments
aroundtheworld,isdevelopingveryquicklytobeamajorsourceofemployment.TheObama
administrationhasmadeitthecentrepieceofitsrecoveryplanincombatingthefinancialcrisis.
45
TheAmericanReinvestmentandRecoveryAct(ARRA) report,MiddleClassTaskforce:Green
JobsUpdatereleasedinMay2009states:

Thekeyfactorsincludeapublicmandatetoachieveanenergyconservationgoal;leadership
investedinmeetingthegoal;privatesectorinvestmentsinnewtechnologyandenergy
efficiency;andpartnershipsbetweenlabour,communitycollegesandothertrainingprogramsto
ensureemployershaveaccesstoskilledworkers.Thesearealsothekeyfactorstocreatingclean
energyopportunityeconomywide.

TheRecoveryActincludes:
(1)$11billionforinvestmentsinanewsmartgrid,investmentsthatwillcreate
thousandsofmilesofnewormodernizedhightechtransmissionlines,whiletraining
andemployinghighlyskilledandwellpaidlineworkers;
(2)$6billioninloanguaranteestoenablegreenindustriestocontinuetheirrapid
growth;(3)$4.5billiontotheGeneralServicesAdministrationtoconvertfederal
buildingsintohighperformancegreenbuildings,whichgenerallycombineenergy
efficiencyandrenewableenergyproductiontominimizetheenergyuseofthebuildings;
(4)$5billiontotheWeatherizationAssistanceProgram,$250milliontoHUDassisted
housingretrofits,and$600milliontopublichousingweatherizationthatwillcreatetens
ofthousandsofnewjobsweatherizingandretrofittinghomes;
(5)$6billiontostateandlocalgovernmentsforcleanenergyprograms;
(6)over$2billionintaxcreditstocover30percentofthecostofhomeenergy
efficiencyimprovementslikeinstallationofenergyefficiencywindows;and
(7)$19billiononpublictransportationandhighspeedrail.

SimilardevelopmentsareseeninEuropewiththeEUcommittingtoa20:20:20outcome.TheEU
hasagreedtoreducecombinedemissionsby20%by2020againsta1990benchmark,toensure
20%ofallstationaryenergyfromrenewablesources,andtocreatea20%energyefficiency
45

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/White-House-Enviro-Council-Accepts-Biden-Challenge-Help-RetrofitAmerica/

Page 23

saving.Thiswillcomeonlyasaresultofsignificantinvestmentintraining,R&Dandsupportfor
newtechnologiescreatingnewgreenjobs.
46

InAustralia,researchsuchasthereport GreenGoldRush:Howambitiousenvironmentalpolicy
canmakeAustraliaaleaderintheraceforgreenjobs,arguesthatAustraliacouldbecomea
leaderincertaingreenindustries.

Thereportidentifiessixgreencollarindustrieswithgreatpotentialforgrowthand
development:
Renewableenergy
Energyefficiency
Sustainablewatersystems
Biomaterials
Greenbuildings
Wasteandrecycling

Australiacouldgenerateupto850,000greencollarjobsby2030andmultibilliondollarexport
opportunities,accordingtothereportbytheAustralianCouncilofTradeUnions(ACTU)and
AustralianConservationFoundation(ACF).
47

TheNSWGreenSkillsStrategy wasdevelopedsothattheworkforceinNewSouthWaleswill
havetheskillstosupportthetransitiontoacarbonconstrainedandmoresustainable
economy.Asbusinessesarebeginningtoexperiencepressuresforchangeasaresultofglobal
warmingandotherenvironmentalchallengesandcalamities,thisstrategywillassistbusinessto
becomemoresustainableandtotakeupnewbusinessopportunitiescreatedbyglobal
environmentalchallenges.
TheAustraliantreasurerclaimed,TheBudgetalsoinvestsinAustralia'stransitiontoalow
pollutioneconomy.TheGovernmentwillinvest$2billiontosupportindustrialscaleCarbon
CaptureandStorageprojectsinAustralia,andafurther$1.5billiontodemonstratelargescale
solargenerationprojects.Theseinvestmentswillimmediatelydrivebillionsofdollarsofprivate
investmentincleanenergysolutions,createthousandsofgreencollarjobs,andmakesure
Australiaisreadytocompeteinthecarbonconstrainedworldoftomorrow.Itisjustanother
exampleofhowwearedrivingourstimulusdollarfurthertoprotectjobsnow,andsecurethe
country'slongtermeconomicinterests.

TheCSIROinitsresearchpaper,GrowingtheGreenCollarEconomy:Skillsandlabourchallenges
48
inreducingourgreenhouseemissionsandnationalenvironmentalfootprint
statesthatwiththerightmixofincentivesandsubsidy,Achievingarapidtransitionto
sustainabilitywouldhavelittleornoimpactonnationalemployment,withprojectedincreasesin
employmentof2.5to3.3millionjobsoverthenexttwodecades.
Employmentinsectorswithhighpotentialenvironmentalimpactswillalsogrowstrongly,with
projectedincreasesofmorethan10%overtenyears.Thiswilladd230,000to340,000newjobs
inadditiontonormalemploymentturnoverinthetransport,construction,andagriculture,
manufacturingandminingsectors.Employmentinconstructionandtransportsectorsis
projectedtogrowsignificantlyfasterthanthenationalaverage.
46

http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=2047
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/industryprograms/green_skills/greenskills.htm
48
http://www.csiro.au/resources/GreenCollarReport.html
47

Page 24


ThekeychallengesoutlinedbythereportapplytoallsegmentsofAustralianindustryand
populations.
Butachievingthetransitiontoalowcarbonsustainableeconomywillrequireamassive
mobilisationofskillsandtrainingbothtoequipnewworkersandtoenableappropriate
changesinpracticesbythethreemillionworkersalreadyemployedinthesekeysectors
influencingourenvironmentalfootprint.

Currentapproachesdonotappearsufficienttomeetthesechallenges.
Thereareatleastfivekeyelementsforacoherentandsystematicresponsetotheskills
challengesassociatedwiththistransition,andthislistformsthekeycriteriatobeaddressedby
IndigenousAustraliainitsquesttobenefitfromagreenjobsboom:

1. Arobustsignalandcertaintyonthewayforwardthroughlegislationandpolicy;
2. Engagementatcommunitylevel;
3. Provisionofgreenskillsandvocationaltraining;
4. AppropriatesupporttoestablishSMEs;and
5. Longtermtimehorizons.

GREENBUSINESSES
TheopportunityforIndigenousAustraliaisofcoursenotlimitedtothejobsthatbusinesseswill
becreatingbutalsoincreatingthebusinessesthemselves.
Thefollowingbroadareasofjobdevelopmentwillalsosupportentrepreneurs.
Renewableenergy
Energyefficiency
Sustainablewatersystems
Biomaterials
Greenbuildings
Wasteandrecycling

15%to20%oftheAustralianlandmassisownedunderonetitleoranotherbyIndigenous
Australians.TheopportunitytobecomecreatorsofcarbonpermitsunderanyCPRStype
emissionstradingscheme(ETS)isagenerationalopportunityforlandowningcommunitiesthat
meetthenecessaryrequirements(typeoftitle,qualityofland,Kyotocomplianceetc)to
participateinthecarbonconstrainedeconomy.

ThecomplexityinvolvedinestablishingCarbonSequestrationRights(CSR)onlandshouldnotbe
underestimated.Specifically,itisunclearwhetherthevarioustitlesunderwhichlandisheldbya
majorityofIndigenousAustralianswillallowforcertaintyintheregistrationprocessineachstate
andterritory.

AlreadythereareopportunitieswellbeforethestartofanETSforsuchplantationstobe
developed.Feasibilitystudiesarebeingcarriedoutandthereissignificantdemandforprojectsin
thisarea.Asmentionedearlier,businessesthatprovidetheseservicesaremuchindemand.
Nurseries,seedcollectionetc,areexcellentbusinessopportunitiesforthosethatdonothave
accesstolargelandholdings.

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Similarly,renewableenergyprojectswillrequirelandandthisagainenableslandowning
communitiestoparticipateinsuchprojectsasbecomecommerciallyviableunderaMandatory
RenewableEnergyTarget2020.

Businessesintheareaofserviceprovision,fromtrainingtooperationaldeliveryoverthewhole
rangeofactivitiesdescribed,arecurrentlybeingestablishednationallyandinternationally.The
opportunityhereistobepartofthecomingboom.

Theeconomicexplosionsofpastindustries,haslargelypastIndigenousAustraliansby.
Asanation,Australiacannotletthathappen,yetagain.Iftherewaseverthewilltoensure
AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleachieveequity,theopportunitypresentsitselfnow
throughclimatechangeadversity.

ToenhancetheIndigenousqualityoflife,comparabletothatofotherAustralians,byconnecting
themtotherealeconomy,iscertainlywithinreach.Nolongercantheybeleftsittingonthe
peripheryofsocietysvision;economic,socialandculturalinclusionmusthappen,ifnot,the
continuingmanyconsequencesforthenationasawhole,willbeasdisastrousastheimpending
issueofclimatechangeitself.

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William(Sam)Jeffries
SamJeffries,CEOofIndigenousEnvironmentalServices(IES),hasathorough
understandingoflandmanagementandotherissuesrelatedtoIndigenousparticipation
inthebroadereconomy.SamisaproudMooraworriman,bornandraisedin
Brewarrina,theyoungestofsevenchildren.HehasbeeninvolvedinAboriginalAffairs
sinceleavingschool.Samspent20yearsinLightningRidgeinfarnorthwesternNSW
establishingtheCommunityDevelopmentEmploymentProgramCDEPproject,and
purchasedbusinessestogivethecommunityaneconomicplatform.
Currentappointmentsinclude:
DeputyChairoftheIndigenousLandCorporation,ChairpersonoftheMurdiPaaki
RegionalAssembly,BoardMemberoftheWesternCatchmentAuthority,PanelMember
oftheNSWAboriginalTrustFundRepaymentScheme,andChairpersonoftheNational
AboriginalSportsCorporationAustralia.
SamisAdjunctProfessorJumbunnaIndigenousHouseofLearning,Universityof
Technology,Sydney.
SamwasawardedtheCentenaryMedalin2001forservicestoAboriginalandTorres
StraitIslandercommunitieswithapriorityongovernance,andalsohasheldarangeof
seniorpositionsincluding:WalgettShireCouncilorfrom1999to2003,ATSICCouncilor
from1990to2005,ChairpersonoftheMurdiPaakiRegionalCouncilfrom1996to2005,
BoardMemberoftheAboriginalHousingOfficefrom1998to2005,andChairpersonof
theNSWATSICStateCouncilfrom2002to2005.

RamDevagiri,DirectorandGeneralManager,hashadmanyyearsofexperiencein
deliveringcomplexoutcomesinthecorporateworldinEurope,AsiaandinAustralia.He
hasworkedinseniorexecutivepositionsinarangeofindustries.RamwasNSWgeneral
managerforaglobalassetmanagementandsoftservicescompanyandhad1250staff
reportingtohim,deliveringinexcessof$60Minannualturnover.HewasalsoNational
KeyAccountsDirectorwithcarriageofaportfolioofwelloverahalfabilliondollarsin
annualrevenue.Hehasdevelopedanddeliveredcomplextrainingtoseniorexecutives
inthecorporateworld.Hehasalsodeliveredtrainingonpersonalityprofiling,
relationshipmanagementandcomplexB2Bsalesenvironments.Ramhasmanagedlarge
hotelpropertiesinEuropeandIndiainvariouscapacitiesincludingGeneralManager.
HavingworkedwithSteigenbergerhotelsinGermany,Ramhasalsospentnineyears
withOberoiHotelsinvariousseniorcapacities.Ramhasbeendeeplyinvolvedinthe
areaofIndigenousengagementwithclimatechangeforovertwoyears.Hehastravelled
widelytomeetandconsultcommunitiesandtocarrytheinformationonclimatechange
toIndigenousorganisationsandbusinessgroups.Hehasdeliveredworkshopson
climatechangeandmorerecentlyontheCPRStocorporategroupsandIndigenous
communities.Ramhasbeeninvolvedinthediscussionsonthedevelopmentofthe
CPRSasmemberoftheStakeholdergrouponLandbasedsectorestablishedbythe
DepartmentofClimateChange.

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