We are Uncle Babai and Uncle Paul, proud First Nations leaders from Judah Malweligal in the Torres Strait and we take The Australian government is on trial for failing to prevent climate change.
Our people have lived in the Torres Strait for thousands of years. Our land is the centerpiece of our culture and the knowledge of how to live in harmony with it has been passed down from generation to generation. But if the government does not change course, this place we call home will be under water. We will lose everything: our language, our culture, our identity, everything – makes us The first climate refugees in Australia.
Like us, communities around the world are standing up and seeking climate justice through the courts. Our fight is not just about the Torres Strait Islands. It resonates with communities all over the world.
now, we are on Rainbow Warrior, on our way from Cairns to Vanuatu in solidarity with the Pacifica community who are leading a global legal campaign to bring the issue of climate change to the world’s highest court – the International Court of Justice.
If their legal case succeeds, it could help protect the human rights of people around the world hardest hit by climate change, and strengthen the consequences for major polluters who recklessly wreak havoc on our planet.
Will you stand with us in solidarity with our Pacific Island neighbors urging Secretary of State Penny Wong? Making a strong case for climate action in the world’s highest court?
Sign the petition
We believe unity is our greatest strength. By joining forces with our brothers and sisters from Vanuatu and others on the front lines of the climate crisis, we can amplify our voices and increase pressure on the Australian government. Together, we are an unbreakable force, demanding action and accountability.
In Kalaw Kawaw Ya, the language spoken on the islands of Boigu and Saibai, Mora Calmel Ciba It means “together we stand”. For us, that’s the message of this trip. Together our communities will speak truth to power in the face of climate devastation. Together we will fight for communities and our future in Australian and international courts.
It may result in a victory in our case in the Australian Federal Court Transformative climate action across Australia, benefiting all Australians and setting an example for the world at large.
Our fight for climate justice stems from our deep connection to our culture, our land and our people. In the spirit of Eddie Mapo’s fight for land rights, we preserve the legacy of our ancestors. We are a cultural people – our islands were our mother and father’s lands. We will never turn away from them. We were born there and we will die there.
We are proud to lead the responsibility for climate justice, not just for ourselves but for all First Nations people and communities around the world.
We urge you to join us. Together, we can protect our homes, our cultures, and our future generations. Let’s make sure climate action becomes a matter of law, not just policy.
Mora Calmel Ciba, Together We Stand – Torres Strait and Pacific Islands
Wadhuam (Maternal Uncle) Pabai Pabai and Wadhuam (Maternal Uncle) Paul Kabai
To get involved with the Australian climate issue or share how you are affected by climate change, go to our website takeaction.australianclimatecase.org.au
Wadhuam (Maternal Uncle) Pabai Pabai
Uncle Pabai is a Guda Maluyligal man and a traditional landlord of Boigu Island. He has five daughters and two sons. Uncle Babai has lived in Boigu all his life. He is a manager in the specific body company that represents the six clans on the island.
Bwejuu is so low–the highest point is 3 meters above sea level–that it is prone to flooding, says Uncle Babai. Floods are getting worse due to climate change. As a Boigu man, he has a specific responsibility to protect sacred cultural sites, but the rising sea makes it impossible and may mean they disappear forever. The loss of these places will be devastating for the communities of Guda Maluyligal now and for generations to come. That’s why he made this case – his cultural responsibility to protect my community, our culture, and our spirituality from climate change.
Wadhuam (uncle) Paul Cabaye
Uncle Paul is a Guda Maluyligal man and a traditional landlord of Saibai Island. He is the director of the General Authority for companies that represent 7 clans on the island. He has two daughters and six sons. Uncle Paul’s family has lived on Saibai Island for over 65,000 years.
Uncle Paul says if we become climate refugees we will lose everything: our homes, our community, our culture, our stories and our identity. We can keep our stories and tell our stories but we will not be tied to the country because the country will disappear. This is why he will prosecute the government, because I want to protect my community and all Australians before it’s too late.