By Abbey Cannan
Surfers lined the shore at Noosa Main Beach on Sunday in solidarity with the Torres Strait, backing their demands to the Australian Government to rapidly reduce emissions and resource adaptation needs.
The ‘Our Islands Our Home’ campaign is being led by Torres Strait Islanders to protect their island homes from climate change.
Noosa resident Lucia Santiago helped organise the local gathering and said it was a great success as they joined surfers across the coasts of Australia.
“I’m happy with the turn out as we organised this within a week and I think we contributed a positive impact to the big picture,” she said.
“I’m a local surfer and I consider the ocean my playground. I feel that there is a responsibility to protect the ocean and the Torres Strait who are on the frontline of climate change. I feel close to the cause as these people will be displaced from their homes in our lifetime.
“I think in the time we are living in, we have no time for inactivity, we are all responsible for standing up.”
Lucia said living in Noosa was a privilege and with that privilege comes a sense of responsibility.
“We have a beautiful community and are part of a beautiful biosphere,” she said.
“We need to help the people who are not as lucky as we are. So participating and standing in solidarity with other communities that haven’t been so lucky is something we should all strive for.”
As part of this campaign, eight claimants from Zenadh Kes (the Torres Strait) have brought a landmark Human Rights complaint against the Australian Federal Government.
The complaint was submitted to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations over the Government’s inaction on climate change in 2019.
As of October 2021, the claimants are still waiting on a decision from the UN regarding their claim. A decision will be made soon.
The ‘Our Islands Our Home’ campaign is a collaboration between the Torres Strait 8, Torres Strait Land and Sea Council Gur A Baradharaw Kod, public campaigner 350 Australia, environmental law charity ClientEarth and Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network.
