Putting the desert on the map at global climate conference, COP28

IDA Deputy CEO Sam Murray and IDA Coordinator Jon Hodgetts attended COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, to share the desert climate change story.

The Australian desert makes up one-third of the country, and Indigenous ranger groups work hard to maintain its healthy ecosystems and cultural connections, the right way. Despite the vastness of the desert, there is little awareness and knowledge of the challenges that the climate crisis is causing in the desert.

Indigenous Australians are not alone; First Nations representatives from around the globe spoke at COP28 about the impacts of climate change they have long been dealing with. The message is clear; Indigenous people around the world are the first responders to climate change, and there is no solution to it without them.

To remain climate change resilient and encourage the combined healing of people and Country, we have to keep collaborating with Indigenous communities and our international First Nations family.

Just like the calls from our Pacific Island neighbours, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including the voices of desert mob, must not only be heard, but acted on. For Indigenous desert rangers, that includes further support for planning and executing land management initiatives to ensure community adaptation, climate resilient infrastructure, and water & energy security.