Archbishop on way to Torres Strait Islands to witness climate change impacts
Local
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves has today embarked on a tour of low-lying Torres Strait Islands to witness the impacts of climate change, with senior Saibai elder and NATSIAC executive member Aunty Dr Rose Elu accompanying him as a guide
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves has today embarked on a tour of low-lying Torres Strait Islands to witness the impacts of climate change, with senior Saibai elder and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council executive member Aunty Dr Rose Elu accompanying him as a guide.
Archbishop Jeremy said that the first legs of his visit will involve meeting with locals on low-lying Poruma and Masig.
“I have been anticipating this trip for some time and will be hearing from Torres Strait Islander peoples and seeing the impacts of climate change on their lives and livelihoods,” Archbishop Jeremy said.
“Climate change disproportionately impacts nations and people who are already most disadvantaged.
“When we think about climate refugees, and those at risk of becoming climate refugees in the future, we tend to think of people from places far from Australia.
“The Torres Strait Islands are part of our own country and it is important that all Australians know just how close to home these impacts are and to understand that Torres Strait Islander peoples have the solutions.”
Aunty Dr Rose is currently part of the seminal class action, led by Uncles Pabai Pabai and Paul Kabai, arguing the Commonwealth owes a duty of care to Torres Strait Islander peoples to take reasonable steps to protect them from the harms caused by climate change.
Aunty Dr Rose has been assisting the legal team as they argue that the court should require the Commonwealth to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that will protect Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The final hearings and the closing arguments for the landmark case were held in Cairns last week.
Aunty Dr Rose said that she looks forward to introducing Archbishop Jeremy to people on the islands so he can hear firsthand about climate change’s impacts.
“Archbishop Jeremy has a deep sense of the cultures and protocols of Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Aunty Dr Rose said.
“He cares about us and has demonstrated that he is our friend.
“I have shared with the Archbishop how rising sea levels are severely impacting our low-lying islands and asked him early last year if he would accompany me to the Torres Strait Islands so he can see the impacts himself.”
Archbishop Jeremy will also be accompanied by his midwife spouse, Josie Greaves, and the Anglican Church Southern Queensland’s Justice Unit coordinator, Peter Branjerdporn.
Archbishop Jeremy has a strong background in social justice having worked closely with refugees and First Nations community members for decades, particularly during his time serving as a priest in the Northern Territory.
Archbishop Jeremy’s grandfather, Bishop Walter Baddeley, served as the Bishop of Melanesia between 1932 and 1947.
The tour has been funded in part by a grant provided by the Anglican Board of Mission in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mission.
Archbishop Jeremy will arrive on Poruma on Wednesday 8 May, on Masig on Friday 10 May and on Thursday Island on Saturday 11 May.
During his visit, the Archbishop will also meet and worship with Anglicans on the islands.
Editor’s note: This year’s National Reconciliation Week (NRW) theme is “Now more than ever”. Visit the Reconciliation Australia website for posters and resources and to register your NRW events. Keep an eye on the anglican focus “Events” page for forthcoming Anglican Church Southern Queensland NRW events.
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