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.
Climate change and global warming are the greatest challenges facing humanity and all other living things on our planet. In 2016, 197 countries signed the Paris Agreement with the central aim to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
We are already experiencing the effects of climate change with increased severity of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, increasing drought and changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and loss of biodiversity. The solutions are known to us and can be implemented with a strong public voice influencing Government policy, guiding business direction through consumer choice and personal lifestyle choices.
Our aim is to raise awareness in the community of the opportunities that mitigation on climate change offers in keeping us safe and healthy, protecting our unique wildlife and flora, providing new job opportunities and fulfilling our obligation to future generations of being able to live and thrive on a habitable planet. Gecko Campaigners do this through local awareness raising projects, lobbying all levels of government for effective action, special events, and personally through living more sustainable lives.
There are many ways you can help mitigate climate change.
Stay informed. There is a lot of great information available but not all is accurate so as in all research, fact check. Trace the source of the authors information to verify if it is published peer reviewed science, not simply an opinion piece. This helps separate quality scientific work from deliberate misinformation campaigns. We have compiled some of the better sources here.
Work with others to mitigate climate change. The 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. Click here to find out more.
Change what governments are doing. Your local Councillors, Members of Parliament and Ministers are much more accessible than you may realise. We have some tips here for how best to influence them.
Change what you are doing. As consumers we can make big cuts in how much carbon is emitted by making small changes in how we live, and you’ll also feel better about climate change whenever you take action. All actions, however small are positive and provide examples to others so just focus on taking one positive action now and see where it leads. Here are some of the many changes you can make.