Northern Climate Resilient People, Places and Programs
Tracks
Ellery C
| Friday, August 7, 2026 |
| 9:45 AM - 10:05 AM |
| Concurrent Room 4 |
Overview
Karen George, James Cook University, Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub
Speaker
Mrs Karen George
Knowledge Broker
James Cook University, Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub
Northern Climate Resilient People, Places and Programs
Presentation Overview
Resilience is about people, places and livelihoods. It is based on strong social, community and organisational connections and trust; on having reserves for the bad times, and plans for an unpredictable future; on healthy and productive environments and landscapes; and on sustained economies.
Globally, there are more than 1,000 indicators of resilience used under multiple frameworks and systems. This makes it confusing and challenging to understand how well equipped we are for an uncertain future.
The TNQ Hub at JCU is focussed on drought resilience and climate adaptation, and contributes to building social, environmental and economic resilience across north Queensland, relevant to northern Australia more broadly.
This workshop invites all DNA participants to contribute to better understanding what resilience means for northern Australia so collectively we can shape policies and investment that matter.
The workshop will co-develop a shortlist of relevant and actionable resilience indicators. This list, including what can be measured and how it can be used by individuals and organisations, will be provided to all participants to use in their own programs. The TNQ Hub will use the list to inform future programs and investment.
Globally, there are more than 1,000 indicators of resilience used under multiple frameworks and systems. This makes it confusing and challenging to understand how well equipped we are for an uncertain future.
The TNQ Hub at JCU is focussed on drought resilience and climate adaptation, and contributes to building social, environmental and economic resilience across north Queensland, relevant to northern Australia more broadly.
This workshop invites all DNA participants to contribute to better understanding what resilience means for northern Australia so collectively we can shape policies and investment that matter.
The workshop will co-develop a shortlist of relevant and actionable resilience indicators. This list, including what can be measured and how it can be used by individuals and organisations, will be provided to all participants to use in their own programs. The TNQ Hub will use the list to inform future programs and investment.
Biography
Throughout her career, Karen has lived and worked with regional and rural communities working in Extension and Rural Industry Development across Queensland. She has owned businesses in rural and regional areas, as well as being a primary producer. After living in western and regional Queensland through years of drought, Karen made her own drought resilience move in 2022 to the Cassowary Coast and now lives near Innisfail, in north Queensland. Karen enjoys creating opportunities to support farm businesses to mitigate risks and develop strategies to be more resilient.
