5 December 2007
The North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance
is calling on the Australian government to engage the expertise and
knowledge that Indigenous people have when negotiating the Kyoto
2012 agreement.
NAILSMA is sending a delegation to the Climate Change Conference
in Bali. In addition to making a presentation at a side event
organised by the Inuit Circumpolar Council relating to Indigenous
peoples contribution toward the future of the Kyoto 2012
process.
The Executive Officer of NAILSMA, Joe Morrison said, “the
delegation will be significant in providing an Indigenous
perspective around the growing issues of climate change, adaptation
and mitigation strategies and the subsequent economic development
and policy opportunities.”
“It is paramount that Indigenous people have a strong say
in how climate change strategies and policies are developed and
implemented, to ensure that the most disadvantaged section of our
society is informed and can take up appropriate
opportunities,” he said.
Indigenous people across the north are in a primary position to
contribute towards global targets of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions using highly refined Indigenous Knowledge systems, which
have developed through changed environments over millennia.
Tackling climate change will also require management of intact
ecosystems, not just emissions by industries as the savannas and
deserts of northern and central Australia are global assets that
require a holistic management approach.
“Engagement with Indigenous people at the policy, research
and implementation levels will require urgent collaborative
approaches in order for multiple aspirations to be met," he
said.
"Our attendance will signal Indigenous peoples intent to be
firmly engaged in the development of new and innovative industries,
how they are framed and delivered across northern
Australia.”
For more information about NAILSMA and the initiatives it works
on, visit the website (www.nailsma.org.au).
