As a proud Gomeroi Aboriginal woman, I have seen firsthand the effects of climate change and how it is heavily impacting not only my people but also marginalised Indigenous communities more broadly.

I conducted surveys with Indigenous people ranging in age from 15 to 50 to gather their thoughts. Their responses were thoughtful and insightful, shedding light on the questions posed.

Voices from the Community

Shania Richards, a 25-year-old woman from Wongutha, Gubrun, Noongar, Ndajgu, Bulang, Mirning, Nao, Wirengu, and Barngarla backgrounds, based in Kalgoorlie, sees climate change as humanity's failure to care for the Earth, with severe consequences for her community.

"My home country is out of order. The seasons are not what they are meant to be, the fresh water is gone," she said.

"The land is poisoned, the animals are dying, fish traps are ruined along with their breeding grounds, sacred gold is stolen from the earth, and fires are raging out of control."

Ms Richards believes more can be done by integrating traditional knowledge with modern science. She suggests strategies like seasonal burn-offs, restarting natural fish breeding cycles, replanting native seeds and plants, and improving waste management. She advocates for listening to First Nations people, acknowledging the truth, and righting wrongs.

Jai, a 16-year-old Narungga from Adelaide, said climate change is destroying coastlines and ocean environments.

He also noted it affects his culture, people, and country by preventing cultural activities due to the lack of moisture in trees and soil, and that overfishing and rising temperatures are decimating fish populations.

Jai believes communities need to provide more information, states should reduce carbon emissions, and the nation should work toward net-zero emissions.

Tamika Stacey, a 16-year-old proud Gomeroi woman from New South Wales and Eastern Queensland, highlighted that Aboriginal people have a spiritual and cultural bond with the land.

Ms Stacey said climate change disrupts this connection by altering ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and changes in plant and animal behaviours.

"Extreme weather events, like bushfires and floods, further endanger communities and their livelihoods," she said.

Ms Stacey believes we need a deeper understanding of why climate change is a genuine issue.

Emily Parsons, a Gomeroi (Gamilaraay/Kamilaroi) woman living in Adelaide, shared how climate change affects her and her culture.

"For me, climate change means the destruction of our culture on a fundamental level. Much of our culture relates to Country, so when Country is compromised, we have extraordinarily little left," she said.

Ms Parsons suggested communities develop more grassroots organisations to fight climate change, states improve legislation, and Australia stop investing in fossil fuels. She also emphasised engaging with Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of caring for Country.

Annaleigh Anderson, a 15-year-old Nukunu from Mount Gambier, finds climate change significantly impacts her community, especially through increasingly dramatic weather events.

Ms Anderson noted that these changes are affecting people, land, and Country, and even mental health. She believes that communities, states, and the nation should listen more to the voices of the people.

Liam Norman, a 17-year-old Indigenous man from Queensland living in South Australia, with connections to Tasmania, noted the impact of climate change on his people, land, and Country, particularly through worsening floods.

Mr Norman encouraged communities to speak up about their issues, states work on better emergency plans for environmental changes, and the nation work together to address these challenges.

Tamsyn Palmerino, a Yankunytjatjara woman from Mount Gambier, notes: "We do not own the Earth; it allows us to live on it."

She suggests communities should "stop thinking we own the planet," and that states should "stop viewing the planet as something to be owned and not respected".

Mia Allison, a 15-year-old Kaurna-Ngarrindjeri woman from Adelaide, noted that climate change "creates a harmful environment not only for wildlife but for our everyday lives. It is an issue that needs to be addressed and resolved before it is too late".

She said erosion and weather conditions have prevented her community from connecting with nature as much as they would like. She also notes it affects her people, land, and Country by making fishing more difficult.

"Fish are harder to catch. As someone who is from the lower Murray, catching fish is in our DNA."

She added that climate change has affected the rivers, with deadly algae and invasive fish species killing off most edible fish.

Ms Allison believes communities should consider how projects might affect Indigenous lives and native species, asking important questions before proceeding.

She urged the nation to seek advice from Elders, who "have the knowledge of the land… it's time people see that and acknowledge it".

Social influence

Further research and investigation demonstrate the connection between cultural disruption and climate change. The effects of climate change are making it increasingly difficult for Aboriginal people to continue certain cultural practices, thereby threatening the preservation of their culture.

Tahneisha Mottishaw, a Jingili woman from Kaurna and Peramangk Country, believes First Nations people globally are more likely to suffer the consequences, despite being the ones best placed to help prevent it.

Ms Mottishow urged collective action and believes stronger laws regulating on major companies, and more attention to First Nations voices, are crucial.

Alec, a 19-year-old Barngarla, Whadjuk, Nyaki Nyaki, and Ballardong (Noongar) man from Whyalla, views climate change as the Earth losing its animals and plants.

While his Barngarla mob has not been affected as much, his other communities have experienced devastating bushfires and increasingly extreme weather.

Alec suggested working together in communities and limiting the use of cars, air conditioning, and heating to reduce environmental impact. He also proposes states could come together to make Australia greener and even institute a national "Green Day" once a month where only walking and public transport are used.

Jack Smith, of the Erawirunga people in Barmera, feels a strong connection to climate change because it is the world future generations will grow up in.

His community is already seeing the impacts through respiratory problems due to the increased greenhouse effect, rising ocean levels, and higher temperatures.

Jack cited better public transport, consumerism reduction, and the use of renewable resources as potential paths to reducing carbon pollution. However, he said - "they don't listen to us, so no point" - underscoring the frustration many feel about the situation.

Phil Von Duve, a Narrunga, Meintangk, and Boandik man from Mount Gambier, noted seasons have shifted, impacting agriculture, pollination, and food production.

Mr Von Duve said communities need to adapt together, and that society should rely more on the expertise of the international scientific community, independent of any individual national government agendas.

Influence of young people's perspectives

Building resilience and community engagement is crucial to mitigating these impacts, particularly for Indigenous and marginalised communities. These communities frequently face systemic obstacles, including a lack of resources and support, making it harder for their voices to be heard.

Despite their concerns about the future, the young people I surveyed remain hopeful and committed to creating a more sustainable, secure world. They advocate for better recycling practices, more eco-friendly infrastructure, growing local food, and supporting businesses that prioritise sustainability. Education, policy change, and consideration of the ecosystem in governmental decisions are key steps forward.

With rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increasingly frequent natural disasters like floods, cyclones, and bushfires, they share the view that action must be taken now to secure a stable future for these young people.

I am deeply grateful for the contributions respondents made to my research. Every voice, thought, and personal experience adds value to my findings.

Jazmin Bingham is a Gomeroi activist living on Buandig Country.