First Nations leaders from islands in the Torres Strait off northern Australia have launched a class-action lawsuit against the Australian government in a bid to prevent the destruction of their communities by climate change.

Paul Kabai and Pabai Paba, who come from the remote islands of Boigu and Saibai in Gudamalulgal and are name plaintiffs in the suit, argue that the government has a legal responsibility—a “duty of care”—to ensure Torres Strait Islander peoples are not harmed by the climate crisis.