On the frontline of climate change – the islands of the Torres Strait

ClientEarth Summit - Day 2, Global landscape, global players

Session 8: On the frontline of climate change – the islands of the Torres Strait
10 November at 10:30am EST | 3:30pm GMT | 1:30am +1 AEST - Duration 25 minutes

The Torres Strait is Australia’s hidden jewel, comprised of a string of low-lying islands nestled between Cape York and Papua New Guinea. The Torres Strait Islander people have lived in the region for more than 60,000 years, making it one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures. The region encompasses the most northern part of the Great Barrier Reef and is a unique and critical habitat.

However, rising sea levels are eroding the Islands damaging infrastructure and significant cultural sites. Additionally, coral bleaching and ocean acidification are having an adverse impact on a once teeming ecosystem. Last year, group of Islanders represented by lawyers with ClientEarth and supported by campaign group 350.org, decided to bring a legal case to fight for the future of Torres Strait. They lodged a world-first case with the UN’s Human Rights Committee in Geneva, highlighting the threat of climate change to their human rights to culture, life, family and home and alleging Australia is failing in its legal duties to protect its climate-vulnerable communities.

Please join us in this session to hear from those leading the groundbreaking fight for human and environmental rights.

Speakers
Yessie Mosby is a Zenadh Kes Masig man, living in the Kulkalgal tribe area in the Central Torres Strait Islands. He is an award winning artist and craftsman and traditional owner.
Lisa Viliamu Jameson, Organiser, 350 Australia
Sophie Marjanac, Climate Accountability Lead, ClientEarth and lead lawyer in the case

Moderator
Grace Archibald, Philanthropy Manager at ClientEarth

View full summit programme: https://www.bigmarker.com/series/clientearth-summit/series_summit