Cocos (Keeling) Islands may take complaint to United Nations over climate change crisis

A low-lying island community on the frontline of climate change will not rule out taking a complaint to the United Nations, as it faces growing uncertainty over the future of life on the islands.

A letter from the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands calling on the federal government to recognise the devastating impacts of global warming on their lives remains unanswered five months on.

Shire chief executive Frank Mills said the islands already experienced regular flooding, particularly the Kampong (village) on the lower-lying Home Island — centre to the 500-strong Cocos Malay community.

“We all now know that, at some stage in the future, the islands here are going to be unliveable,” he said.

“Relocation of people is one of the things that has to be discussed; that shouldn’t be just put off.”