Burning Forests a Solution to Climate Change
Applying Indigenous Knowledge to the Global Warming Challenge
Local action on climate change has a new dimension in Australia’s Arnhem Land. The innovative West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project began in 2005 as a joint venture between Darwin Liquefied Natural Gas and traditional indigenous owners. Now the Australian government has recognised the importance of this custodianship of their land by establishing the Warddeken and Djelk Indigenous Protected Areas. This brings them within the national nature reserve system.
Two groups of aboriginal rangers are involved: the Djelk Rangers based on the coast at Maningrida and Wardekken Rangers at inland Kabulwarnamyo. They receive $A 1 million per year for fire management in an area of 28,000 square kilometres situated to the east of the iconic Kakadu National Park. Kakadu is a World Heritage area. A reduction of more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year offsets greenhouse gas emissions from the natural gas plant in Darwin.
Climate Extremes in Northern Australia
Western Arnhem Land is connected by unsealed roads that are often impassable during the wet season months. In 2006, the area was devastated by Extreme Category 5 Cyclone Monica, the largest one to ever hit mainland Australia.
Little or no rain falls during the dry season. The open eucalyptus forests are highly vulnerable to wildfires. Traditionally, aboriginal people have used fire as part of their plant and animal management. In modern times fewer people have lived in the homelands. As a consequence uncontrolled fires have often ravaged the landscape.
According to the North Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), “Essentially the project seeks to increase the proportion of controlled early dry season fires to create fire breaks and patchy mosaics of burnt and unburnt country to minimise destructive late dry season wildfires and maximise biodiversity protection.”
Traditional Indigenous Leader Local Hero
A major catalyst for this indigenous/industry alliance was an eighty three year old Kabulwarnamyo traditional owner. He died in mid October and is now referred to as Wamud Namok for cultural reasons. A recipient of the Order of Australia, he was well known as an internationally acclaimed artist.
Indigenous artist to receive state funeral (ABC News 19 October 2009)
He held a strong belief in marrying traditional knowledge and western science. His vision is not only helping to restore the environment. It is also creating employment for local indigenous people.
Caring for the land is just one of many legacies he left to the people of Western Arnhem Land. He was a major force in preserving the local rock paintings and keeping traditional culture alive.
Fire a Solution to Global Warming
Peter Garrett, Australia's Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, and former lead singer of rock band Midnight Oil, made a visit to the top end recently to give the endeavour the official thumbs up. He could do with some positive press as many of his old fans have become critics of what they see as his pro-industry and anti-environment record in government.
Ironically, Midnight Oil’s hit song “Beds are Burning” has been donated for a reworked version as part of ‘tck, tck tck’, a climate change campaign. It can be downloaded from their website for free. Among those involved are former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and musicians including poverty activist Bob Geldof.
Emissions Control Starts at Home
It’s a fitting paradox that the West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project is firing the forests as part of the fight against global warming. The oldest culture in the world is leading the way in tackling the excesses of the most modern. It is a challenge to all peoples of the globe to clean up their own backyards.
Nimbuwah Rock West Arnhem Land
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Cyclone Monica Maningrida 2006
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