Our Islands Our Home

$10,000 | May 2024

What do Our Islands Our Home do?

Our Islands Our Home is a Torres Strait Islander-led campaign fighting for climate justice and protecting their island homes and culture. Through community engagement, advocacy, and direct action, they aim to secure sustainable futures for Torres Strait Islanders against the impacts of climate change.

Why is this work important?

Torres Strait Islanders are on the frontline of the climate crisis, and urgent action is needed to ensure they can remain on their islands. Right now, king tides, erosion, droughts and coral-bleaching are threatening the homes and cultures of Torres Strait Islander people, while the Australian Government refuses to address the climate crisis.

Following a significant 2022 UN ruling that spotlighted Australia’s climate inaction, Our Islands Our Home seized the opportunity to advocate for urgent adaptation measures. Their initiatives aim to ensure the survival of these island communities by fostering a more robust climate policy, supporting Indigenous climate leadership, and increasing resilience against climate impacts.

How is Groundswell supporting this work?

Groundswell’s funding will support core organisational costs critical to Our Islands Our Home’s strategy, primarily through funding the Masig Community Organiser role. This role is pivotal to advancing Our Islands Our Home’s grassroots, Torres Strait Islander-led climate movement across the Torres Strait and mainland Australia, and will help:

• Launch a Community-Led Renewable Energy Pilot on Masig Island: This project will establish a model for other Torres Strait Islands, combining Traditional Owner leadership, strong community engagement, and partnerships with regional and technical experts to support a transition to sustainable energy.

• Advocate for Increased Climate Adaptation Funding: By engaging with Queensland and Federal governments, this role will strengthen efforts to secure critical resources for seawalls, climate adaptation, and energy transition to protect Torres Strait communities from climate impacts.

• Mobilise a COP31 Flotilla Protest Against Fossil Fuels: The Masig Community Organiser will help lead a Torres Strait Islander-led flotilla protest, amplifying Indigenous voices in a call to end fossil fuel projects across Australia and demonstrating First Nations climate leadership at COP31.

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