As the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow draws to a close, amidst debate about how much it has actually achieved, researchers such as Dr Melissa Jackson are solving intractable climate change dilemmas on the front line. Melissa Jackson is a research fellow with Griffith University’s Climate Action Beacon, recognising her novel interdisciplinary approach to water and energy management, particularly in remote communities such as the islands of the Torres Strait. On the Gender Card today she explains how she’s using innovative technologies such as water meters, to empower local communities as they face increasing water supply limitations, exacerbated by the impact of climate change. Melissa has just returned from her latest visit to the Torres Strait, and her interviews with locals about the impact of climate change form a key part of this podcast, and her pioneering model of community based engagement. Part of her success was discovering how to give women in these isolated communities more of a voice in decision making, to help the community come up with successful strategies for extreme weather events and increasingly unpredictable rainfall.

Thanks and acknowledgement of our wonderful Interviewees:

Regina Turner, artist, Panipan designs www.panipan.com.au/, Resident Hammond Island; Mark David, Operations Manager, Water, Torres Strait Islands Regional Council; Toni Pearson, Administration Officer, Buildings, Torres Strait Islands Regional Council (Poruma), Poruma resident and P&C Chair, Tagai State College Poruma; Vere Ledua, Water Officer, Torres Strait Islands Regional Council (Murray Island); Felisha Pearson, Administration Officer, Torres Strait Islands Regional Council (Poruma) and Poruma resident.

Find out more about Griffith's Climate Action Beacon here.

Find out more about Dr Melissa Jackson here.

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