Cited by 124Indigenous Studies and EcologyClimate Change Communication and PerceptionClimate Change, Adaptation, Migration

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Solastalgia and the Gendered Nature of Climate Change: An Example from Erub Island, Torres Strait

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McNamara, Karen Elizabeth, Westoby, Ross·2011·EcoHealth

DOI 10.1007/s10393-011-0698-6

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Abstract

This communication focuses on respected older womens' ('Aunties') experiences of climate and other environmental change observed on Australia's Erub Island in the Torres Strait. By documenting these experiences, we explore the gendered nature of climate change, and provide new perspectives on how these environmental impacts are experienced, enacted and responded to. The way these adverse changes affect people and places is bound up with numerous constructions of difference, including gender. The responses of the Aunties interviewed to climate change impacts revealed Solastalgia; feelings of sadness, worry, fear and distress, along with a declining sense of self, belonging and familiarity.

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Authors: McNamara, K. E., & Westoby, R.
Affiliations: University of the South Pacific (FJ)
The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author: McNamara, Karen Elizabeth
ORCID: McNamara, Karen Elizabeth
Westoby, Ross
Venue: EcoHealth
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2011-06
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Pages: 233-236
ISSN: 1612-9202 (ISSN-L)
1612-9210
DOI: 10.1007/s10393-011-0698-6
OpenAlex: W2047370571
Cited by: 124
References: 15
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4
FWCI: 3.57
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
hdl.handle.net
Licence: other-oa
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: EcoHealth (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics: Social Sciences › Anthropology › Indigenous Studies and Ecology
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Climate Change Communication and Perception
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration
Keywords: solastalgia, climate change impacts, older women, Torres Strait, environmental change, sense of belonging
MeSH terms: Aged, Australia, Mental Disorders, Environment, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Interviews as Topic, Sex Factors, Stress, Psychological, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Climate Change

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Solastalgia and the Gendered Nature of Climate Change: An Example from Erub Island, Torres Strait

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