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• Aboriginal leaders tackle climate change in Copenhagen

KLC Media Statement, December 7, 2009

Aboriginal leaders from northern Australia will attend the United Nations Conference on climate change to ensure Indigenous rights are represented.

The Kimberley Land Council’s Deputy Director Nolan Hunter will travel to the week-long conference on Wednesday as part of a delegation from the Northern Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), which represents the four land councils of Northern Australia.

 Mr Hunter said Aboriginal people – as Australia’s first conservationists – were concerned about climate change and wanted to be involved in any plan to tackle this global crisis.

 “Climate Change is a new phenomenon that is changing our country. Aboriginal people are concerned about climate change because it is a real issue that is transforming our landscape, our cultural practices and our traditions,’’ he said.

 While in Copenhagen Mr Hunter will attend Indigenous Day, as part of the Unites Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues.

 “We will be meeting with philanthropic foundations and will also be trying to meet with the Australian Government delegation to discuss the role of Aboriginal people and climate change,’’ he said.

 “This conference has the potential for world leaders to work together and commit to a plan that will reduce the impact of climate change on both our environment and human civilisation. We urge the world’s leaders to make the cuts that are needed to reduce global carbon emissions.’’

Mr Hunter said the Kimberley Land Council’s ranger program, which is charged with the responsibility to look after country, had already started implementing plans to reduce the impacts of climate change.  

“Our Kimberley rangers are gearing up to start carbon trading in 2013 through controlled fire management practices and carbon abatement,’’ he said.