Petitioning the seat of power for Climate Change Action – the Australian Parliament
The Conference of Parties (COP26) to determine global action on climate change is only 2 months away and the future of the world’s population will depend on the outcome of this all important International conference in Glasgow. People around the world are calling on their Government’s to commit to effective and genuine action to keep our planet, our only home, at a liveable temperature.
Sign for climate action and make them listen – it is your planet, your home, your family and your living that is at risk. Sign this petition to the Australian Government calling on our elected representatives to take effective action on climate change. https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN3222
Request for Action
Creation of an effective Climate Action Plan that all Australians can support, including but not limited to:
- Cease approval and funding of new fossil fuel developments, including natural gas
- Increase investment in renewables and emission reduction technologies, research and industries
- Implement a fair work transition plan for communities reliant on fossil fuel industries.
The call for climate change action has been heard repeatedly over the last decade and the latest International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report has underlined the urgency of action, even going so far as to call the situation a Code Red for Humanity.
In November this year at the Glasgow International Conference of the Parties (COP26) the nations of the world will be called upon to make strong, effective and genuine commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The target of zero emissions by 2050 has been brought forward to 2035 if humanity is to avoid the worst of the impacts of climate change and keep the planet’s temperature rise to 1.5C.
Australian Federal Governments have been slow to act in the past and the current Government is no exception, not even willing to commit to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.
The Government is also relying on a technological fix that would enable the continued mining and burning of coal and gas. This is unrealistic and just feeds false hopes that we can continue to mine and sell fossil fuels, when in fact we must transform our economy to one reliant on renewable energy and smarter ways to reduce emissions and grow new job opportunities.
We know the risks of fire, floods, severe storms and droughts and the devastating impact on the national economy. Make your voice count and sign this petition.
The Petition Reasons
- Australia currently does not have a net zero target by 2035 resulting in severe negative economic consequences for our nation. Australia must commit to the target at upcoming COP26, Glasgow, 2021.
- Australia has ability to lead renewable energy technologies globally – strengthen/diversify economy, reduce costs, curb emissions, improve safety, gain global investor support.
- Fossil fuel industrial communities will suffer economic hardship unless an effective and fair transition plan to alternative employment is implemented forthwith.
- Australia is blessed with renewable energy sources and smart storage – solar, hydro, wind which can lead the global transition.
- Major financial institutions are not funding fossil fuel projects,
- 83% of the domestic market is increasing investments into renewables, 39% say it will have a transformative effect.
- A reduction in greenhouse
- gases (IPCC Report), is essential to provide an equitable future for all Australians, our economy, and our environment – for all of humanity and other species.
Get Connected
Not sure where to connect with others working on climate change action? There are many great organisations working to mitigate climate change on the Gold Coast and a number are shared here. Gecko founded the Gold Coast Climate Action Network (GCCAN) and continues to work collaboratively with its member groups. GCCAN is a great portal into the activities that these groups are doing and could be a good first step if you are new to this issue.
Meeting the challenges of climate change.
Gold Coast Climate Action Network – GCCAN, is a network of community based climate action groups supporting the narrative around climate change mitigation. The groups are solutions focused and educational through sharing the leading science and practical real world applications from home and around the world.
You do not have to join one of these groups to attend the meetings and we welcome everyone to become part of the Gold Coast Climate Action Network community. As a concerned individual or as a member of another group you may have a project that you would like to get off the ground, but need a little help. Reach out and say Hi, come along and meet others working towards positive solutions to climate change and see how together we can make a difference.
The member groups are comprised of Gecko Environment Council, Stop Adani – Gold Coast, ACF – Gold Coast, Beyond Zero Emissions – Gold Coast, Australian Parents for Climate Action – Gold Coast, Australian Youth Climate Coalition – Gold Coast. Southport Climate Justice Group and School Strike 4 Climate Gold Coast.
We welcome everyone to join a group and become part of the Gold Coast Climate Action Network community. Do you or your group have a project of your own that you would like to get off the ground and need some help? Reach out and say Hi, come along and meet others working towards positive solutions to climate change and see how together we can make a difference.
Meetings are held on the 1st Monday evening of the month, normally at Gecko House but currently by an online meeting platform so you won’t even have to leave home. Contact the Gecko office for more information and to get involved.
“You don’t need to be an Academic or expert to lead a successful Action, you simply need the desire to make a difference, the passion to sustain you and the will to take action.”
Gold Coast Climate Action Network vision:
“To inspire and empower the community to think and act positively in creating opportunities at work, home and elsewhere for a better society that meets the challenges of climate change.”
GCCAN evolved out of the Climate Change for Good Conference co-hosted between Gecko and Griffith University Climate Change Response Programme and has grown to become a supportive network of the Gold Coasts most active and passionate supporters willing to action solutions to the challenges we all face due to our changing climate.
You can read more about the CC4G Conference Speakers here.
Review the CC4G Conference Outcomes here.
View recordings of the Keynote Speakers from both days of the conference on our YouTube channel here.
Speakers and workshops at the conference covered the following 8 themes:
1. Business/Insurance
2. Investment
3. Government Policies
4. Urban Places & Spaces
5. Health and Welfare
6. Food Security
7. Conservation
8. Sustainable Tourism
The conference Objectives were:
- Build a strong community.
- Advocate for action on climate change.
- Gain inspiration and information.
- Identify opportunities in business, employment, community well-being and nature conservation.
- To identify the opportunities resulting from action on climate change that will enhance business and employment and community wellbeing.
- Facilitate community partnerships.
- Establish a cross-sector advisory group.
Climate Change Solutions:
“What if global warming is not an obstacle but an opportunity to innovate and re-imagine everything we make and do.” Paul Hawken
Here we share some positive solutions, change makers and scientific research to facilitate your own learning.
In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development.If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. Adopting these goals will not only go a long way in improving the quality of life for billions of people they will also greatly lessen the impacts of a changing climate. Link to page here.
Paul Hawken’s highly acclaimed book Drawdown, maps, measures, models, and describes the 100 most substantive solutions to global warming. View the Drawdown site here and the Drawdown review 2020 here.
Beyond Zero Emissions are an internationally recognised climate solutions think tank whose research has produced a complete blueprint for Australia to becoming a thriving zero emissions economy. You can read more on their Zero Carbon Australia research reports that show how each major emitting sector of the economy can achieve zero emissions. Their research shows that this is achievable and affordable now. Australia can thrive in a zero carbon world.
The Climate Council is an independent scientific research body. They exist to provide independent, authoritative climate change information to the Australian public. Why? Because our response to climate change should be based on the best science available. Here they outline 5 steps every Australian can easily take to lesson our carbon footprint.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.
The IPCC publishes the most up to date scientific data on climate change and some of their published papers and reports are found here.
Explaining climate science, the short and the long, is a 28 page summary document for an educated but non-scientific audience.
The IPCC Assessment Report is ‘the bible’ of climate science and compiled by the world’s top climate scientists. These are published every 8 years with the the most recent published in 2014 and the next one due in 2022. The synthesis, or summary can be found here.
Understanding Global Warming of 1.5 Deg C. An IPCC summarised explainer report.
If you feel like an in depth read he IPCC published the 630 page report ‘Global warming of 1.5oC’ in 2018 which focus on the ways that life will change as the temperature rises.
CSIRO – the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia’s national science research agency. Their website hosts a wealth of climate science information with a few pages to start exploring as follows. Climate Change Information for Australia. As well as Climate Change in Australia and learn more about climate change science in the Climate Campus.
In collaboration with BOM the CSIRO publish a State of the Climate Report, with the most recent 2019 report here.
NASA are strongly involved in the field of climate science and you can view their comprehensive site here. NASA also have a site dedicated to climate change science for children.
