Petition of Torres Strait Islanders

The Torres Strait Islands are a group of at least 274 geographically unique islands spread over 48,000km2, between the Cape York Peninsula and the coast of Papua New Guinea, and are home to 4,514 Strait Islanders, according to the Australian 2016 census. With a unique ecosystem and several low lying islands, parts of this Strait are predicted to be devastated by the effects of climate change. Climate change is causing rising sea levels and rising ocean temperatures which will increase inundation and storm surges as well as cause coral bleaching and ocean acidification. This is particularly troubling due to the Islander’s cultural, social, and economic reliance on the ecosystem.


 * https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/social_justice/nt_report/ntreport08/pdf/casestudy1.pdf
 * https://www.clientearth.org/torres-strait-islanders-win-key-ask-after-climate-complaint/
 * http://climatecasechart.com/non-us-case/petition-of-torres-strait-islanders-to-the-united-nations-human-rights-committee-alleging-violations-stemming-from-australias-inaction-on-climate-change/
 * ClientEarth Live: Climate Change and Human Rights - The Torres Strait Islands