Northern WA communities already adapting to extreme climate future

Yindjibarndi elder Kevin Guiness says the hardened bush-gum sap he ate on country as a child now blooms later, rivers are drying up and animals are disappearing.

He lives in Roebourne, more than 1,500km north of Perth in Western Australia's Pilbara.

"Not much kangaroos out in the country," Mr Guiness said.

"Even the river's gone dry because [there's] not much rain and the heat."

According to the National Climate Risk Assessment report, Roebourne is situated in the part of Australia's north that is most at risk from significant changes to the climate.

In the Kimberley, predictions of more extreme cyclones, bushfires and floods did not surprise Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Nathan McIvor.

More than 100,000 hectares of bushland in the surrounding Dampier Peninsula