Indigenous perspectives of climate change and adaptation in NE Arnhem Land

1. Indigenous perspectives of climate change and adaptation in NE Arnhem Land Lisa Petheram Dr Natasha Stacey (CDU) Prof Bruce Campbell (CGIAR) Dr Chris High (Open Uni)

2. “Visual techniques to facilitate learning and communication in natural resource management” The PhD project • Cat Tien National Park - Vietnam: PES • NE Arnhem Land - Australia: Climate change adaptation

3. Aims of the climate change case study • -understanding • communication • knowledge sharing • community empowerment • -community direction • To encourage learning & communication on climate change perceptions, observations & adaptation preferences • BROADER AIM: To understand factors important in integrating indigenous perspectives into climate change adaptation policy

4. Conceptual framework • Broad epistemology - ‘constructivism’ (Berger & Luckman 1967) • ‘Social learning’ theory (Leeuwis 2002) • Deliberate facilitation of learning processes • VISUAL: Visual sociology & anthropology, communication, participation, learning, community development • CLIMATE CHANGE: Adaptation, disaster & hazard, geography, development

5. CC Adaptation • ‘a set of actions & decision making processes’ • (Nelson et al 2007) • mitigation & adaptation • WHO/WHAT? - Goals differ depending on who or • what is adapting. Imposed by government or local groups or individuals • WHEN? Anticipatory or reactive. Short term, long term. • 1st Generation & 2nd Generation Adaptation studies(Burton et al 2002) Infrastructure/technologyBiophysical/Social-ecological?

6. Why remote Indigenous perspectives? • Only 2.5% of Australia’s population, but own and occupy large expanses of the country’s remote areas so their adaptation strategies will have a significant impact on Australia’s environment and economy • Indigenous coastal communities are considered to be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. • Relatively unexplored area of study • Policy that integrates local preferences is more likely to be effective (and have greater adherence) (IIED 2009)

7. Gove PeninsulaNE Arnhem Land Field work

9. Field research focus 1) Ways people value their landscape2) Perceived current issues & concerns3) Perceptions of climate change4) Observations of climate change5) Perceived impacts of climate change on community6) Preferences for adaptation

10. Fieldwork • Workshops and interviews • Field transect walks/drives

11. Visual techniques - Rich picture diagramming

12. Visual techniques - Participatory sculpting

13. Visual techniques - Participatory generated photography (‘photovoice’)

14. Visual techniques - Photo & video elicitation

15. Visual techniques - Seasonal calendar analysis

16. Visual techniques - Video work

17. Visual techniques - - Visual choice modelling

18. Visual techniques - Interactive DVD ROM creation

19. Visual techniques

20. Perceptions of CC • Familiarity with the term • BUT many misconceptions • Strong interest to learn more • Deep concern about the way it will threaten country & people • Desire to raise awareness, especially among children • ‘so they know what is happening, what to do and so they don’t get worried’ • BUT also great worry about current poverty issues

21. Observed changes • Many changes over last 50 years • BUT ‘Strange changes’ - particularly last 5 years. Unpredictable and some dramatic • Climate change, mining, development, recreation & pollution, spirits? • Attribute to human sources e.g. ‘big cities’ • ‘What we are doing to mother nature. She is now weeping’ • Some certain of CC. ‘they should get out of their office more and take a look!’

22. Adaptation strategies • Few specifically about climate change • Return to current issues • Strengthen general adaptive capacity to current issues

23. Adaptation preferences • Communication, transparency & indigenous involvement • Self-sufficiency and improved capacity • Knowledge sharing on NRM and CC and stricter regulations for protected & sacred areas • Indigenous practices as a way of dealing with problems • Culture for physical and emotional health • Basic infrastructure and more efficient energy.

24. Field research focus 1) Ways people value their landscape2) Perceived current issues & concerns3) Perceptions of climate change4) Observations of climate change5) Perceived impacts of climate change on community6) Preferences for adaptation General changes Scenarios Sensitivity Semantics

25. Evolving frame of research CURRENT VULNERABILITY egKlein et al 2007 WAYS TO STRENGTHEN ADAPTIVE CAPACITY

26. Untangling vulnerability COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS COMMUNITY ADAPTIVE CAPACITY Historic events External characteristics interactions - diversity - assets - location - poverty - opportunity - capacity Current issues - motivations - preferences - perceptions - attitudes & values - culture &/ norms - capacity COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY

27. Building community adaptive capacity Western science Indig. knowledge COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY CC knowledge Community adaptation preferences CC Predictions Community action Policy change and/or institutional support Communication processes Community adaptive strategies Improved community adaptive capacity

28. Evolving frame of research CURRENT VULNERABILITY e.g Klein et al 2007 WAYS TO STRENGTHEN ADAPTIVE CAPACITY - Enablers & disablers - Development lense - Mainstreaming

29. Summary • Research on adaptation is difficult • Important not to undermine complexity of adaptation • Examining climate change alone not useful • Effective communication is integral • Mainstreaming adaptation into different policy areas is needed • More time! Involvement of indigenous researchers is needed Petheram, L, Zander, K., Campbell, B.M., High, C., and Stacey, N. (2010)‘Strange Changes’: Indigenous perspectives of climate change and adaptation in NE Arnhem Land (Australia). Global Environmental Change 20: 681-692.

30. Thanks