Ordinary Australians are already paying the price Pilbara residents, Western Australia Their average age is twice your average congressional intern, and they’re living witness to how much their landscape and way of life has changed. Local elder Kevin Guiness has seen these painful transitions play out over the years. In addition to documenting amazing changes in nature, he’s reported on amazing changes in community as well. What the region is experiencing now are drying rivers and disappearing wildlife. The frequency of bushfires is increasing, forcing many to refer to their experience of life as approaching a “third world” existence.
Guiness remembers as a child eating the hardened sap of bush-gum trees, which now tends to flower much later in the year. Beyond the direct harm caused to the animals, this delay in natural cycles shows the far-reaching effects of climate change on the ecosystem. It’s what sparked a conversation about the future of what had been done for years and the future of the local wildlife as well. Guinness reports the kangaroo population has significantly declined. This drop is just a reflection of a bigger picture of much fewer animals on the ground.
Impact on Community and Environment
The community of Pilbara is currently experiencing unprecedented bushfires. More recently, flames have burned more than 250,000 acres of bushland in the vicinity of the Dampier Peninsula. Nathan McIvor, a resident of Roebourne—located more than 1,500 kilometers north of Perth—expresses concern over the community’s vulnerability to climate change. He points to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as bushfires. This concerning transformation fosters a hostile climate for many community members.
“It was a little bit terrifying for the community, because I don’t think they’ve had a bushfire come this close.” – Nathan McIvor
Climate change is having a serious, negative effect on public health as well. McIvor is keen on highlighting the connection between environmental degradation and health issues. He says that this new reality makes already a challenging environment for controllable conditions such as rheumatic heart disease. He explains residents often actively put off sleeping indoors. They do this out of fear, not only for crime, but for the health consequences of the exposure described by him as “third world” living conditions.
A Call for Action
In reaction to these challenges, the Pilbara community took matters into their own hands and came up with their own community driven 20-year climate plan. McIvor emphasizes that local residents feel they must take charge of their future, given what they perceive as inadequate governmental support. He says that getting a new government every four years makes it very difficult to do long-term planning and be serious about solving climate problems.
“They’re changing governments every four years, so they can’t really plan for the future.” – Nathan McIvor
McIvor is a firm believer that self-initiative and adventure are the best ways to approach some of these urgent issues. The community has installed solar street lights and created gardens in public spaces to mitigate heat and improve living conditions. He insists that these efforts represent a strong message: taking care of their community is paramount.
“We have to stand on our own two feet and push our agenda, and our agenda is to take care of our community.” – Nathan McIvor
Spiritual and Emotional Toll
The emotional and spiritual consequences of climate change run deep inside First Nations communities. Guinness emphasizes that these changes go beyond the physical environment. In addition, they redefine the symbolic cultural identity rooted in the landscape. On the latter, he calls on governments to understand this spiritual dimension and the weight of emotional trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples enduring ecological carnage.
“Open your eyes and see what you’re doing to the country.” – Kevin Guiness
Matthew Panayi shares similar sentiments, warning that without significant changes, areas like the Kimberley could become uninhabitable for many residents. He pleads that lives are lost every day if we don’t act urgently to confront these crises.
“People’s lives are at stake if things don’t change.” – Matthew Panayi
