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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
environmental science
'Strange changes': Indigenous perspectives of climate change and adaptation in NE Arnhem Land (Australia)
Global Environmental Change, Volume 20, No. 4, Year 2010
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Description
Despite growing global attention to the development of strategies and policy for climate change adaptation, there has been little allowance for input from Indigenous people. In this study we aimed to improve understanding of factors important in integration of Yolngu perspectives in planning adaptation policy in North East Arnhem Land (Australia). We conducted workshops and in-depth interviews in two 'communities' to develop insight into Yolngu peoples' observations and perspectives on climate change, and their ideas and preferences for adaptation. All participants reported observing changes in their ecological landscape, which they attributed to mining, tourism 'development', and climate change. '. Strange changes' noticed particularly in the last five years, had caused concern and anxiety among many participants. Despite their concern about ecological changes, participants were primarily worried about other issues affecting their community's general welfare. The results suggest that strategies and policies are needed to strengthen adaptive capacity of communities to mitigate over-arching poverty and well-being issues, as well as respond to changes in climate. Participants believed that major constraints to strengthening adaptive capacity had external origins, at regional, state and federal levels. Examples are poor communication and engagement, top-down institutional processes that allow little Indigenous voice, and lack of recognition of Indigenous culture and practices. Participants' preferences for strategies to strengthen community adaptive capacity tended to be those that lead towards greater self-sufficiency, independence, empowerment, resilience and close contact with the natural environment. Based on the results, we developed a simple model to highlight main determinants of community vulnerability. A second model highlights components important in facilitating discourse on enhancing community capacity to adapt to climatic and other stressors. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Petheram, Lisa
Australia, Darwin
Charles Darwin University
Zander, Kerstin K.
Australia, Darwin
Charles Darwin University
Campbell, Bruce M.
Denmark, Copenhagen
Københavns Universitet
Stacey, Natasha E.
Australia, Darwin
Charles Darwin University
Statistics
Citations: 154
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2010.05.002
ISSN:
09593780
Research Areas
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Mental Health
Study Approach
Qualitative