Jocelyn Uibo
Jocelyn Uibo
Opposite Groote Eylandt, on the mainland of east Arnhem Land, lies the Aboriginal community of Numbulwar. The waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Rose River are a major food source for the community’s 1200 residents but they are also culturally significant, featuring prominently in dances and stories.
The traditional people’s relationship with the sea and coastal areas is so strong that they are attuned to even small changes in their environment. Jocelyn Uibo, a member of the Numbulwar Numburindi Community Government Council and registrar of the community’s school, says her mother has seen the beach change within her own lifetime.
“People are aware that there are a lot of environmental changes going on within our community and also things to do with the weather as well,” says Jocelyn. “The last few weeks we’ve had an early morning fog which is quite unusual for this time of year. People are noticing there are things that are not quite right at the moment.”
Community elders have already noticed that billabongs are drying out faster after the wet season. They fear increasing temperatures and unpredictable weather events will raise sea levels and wash away sand, preventing turtles from nesting and removing a major community food source.
Jocelyn wanted to better understand why the changes were occurring so she applied to be a volunteer presenter with The Climate Project – Australia, Al Gore's climate change leadership program with the Australian Conservation Foundation. In 2007, she was personally trained by Mr Gore to become a Climate Project presenter and deliver the slideshow known to many as the basis of the documentary An Inconvenient Truth.
“I thought that this would be good opportunity to educate myself on this particular issue but also for my community and surrounding community areas so that everybody can be informed about climate change,” says Jocelyn. “I think it’s very important that everyone is aware of what’s happening.”
Jocelyn will soon have given her presentation to more than 250 people in remote Indigenous communities, including on Groote Eylandt and in her neighbouring community Ngukurr. The presentation she remembers best was that given to her community elders and the council members. “Because they were members of my family it meant so much for them to be there to watch the talk,” she says.
Although the community is small it is still able to make a difference to climate change by switching off lights and appliances while they’re not in use, says Jocelyn. She has adopted these measures and also sets an example to her community by walking around town and planting trees.