34 h. ago Australia’s Indigenous elders lose landmark environment case of Torres Strait Islands

Indigenous elders lose climate case as judge says protecting islands is a political, not legal, responsibility

Politics

34 h. ago Australia’s Indigenous elders lose landmark environment case over Torres Strait Islands

Indigenous elders lose climate case as judge says protecting islands is a political, not legal, responsibility

Politics

57 h. ago Torres Strait community leaders in ‘deepest pain imaginable’ as federal court dismisses landmark climate case

Class action led by two community leaders argued government had legal duty of care to prevent or deal with damage linked to global heatingSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesTwo Torres Strait community leaders are shocked and devastated after the federal court dismissed a landmark case that argued the Australian government breached its duty of care to protect the Torres Strait Islands from climate change.The lead plaintiffs, Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai from the islands of Boigu and Saibai, sought orders requiring the government to take steps to prevent climate harm to their communities, including by cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the pace climate scientists say is necessary.Get Guardian Australia environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as an email Continue reading...

Politics

60 h. ago Federal court dismisses landmark Torres Strait climate case but warns of ‘bleak future’ without urgent action

Class action led by two community leaders argued government had legal duty of care to prevent or deal with damage linked to global heatingSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesThe federal court has dismissed a landmark case brought by two Torres Strait community leaders that argued the Australian federal government breached its duty of care to protect the Torres Strait Islands from climate change.In delivering the decision, however, Justice Michael Wigney noted: “There could be little if any doubt that the Torres Strait Islands and their inhabitants face a bleak future if urgent action is not taken to address climate change and its impacts.”Get Guardian Australia environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as an email Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago ‘We don’t want to be climate refugees’: Torres Strait uncles fear for their islands and their people

This week Australia’s federal court is due to make a decision in a landmark climate case that could safeguard the future of the island communitiesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUncle Paul Kabai and Uncle Pabai Pabai are afraid for the future of their ancestral homelands.Their country on the outer islands of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait), less than 10km off Papua New Guinea, is under siege from the impacts of the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Gov. Newsom signs housing bill overhauling California's landmark environmental law

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill that will remake California’s landmark environmental protection rules

Politics