A local environment group, Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland (EnvA) hosted a ‘Climate Leaders’ event last weekend to inspire our local community to get more involved in protecting our environment and lifestyle from the impacts of climate change.
“What an impressive turn out”, said EnvA’s community campaigner, Matilda Widdowson.
“We live in a region which has always been reliant on coal and cattle and there is usually a bit of hesitancy for our community to stand up to protect our environment from impacts like climate change.
“But, the turnout at the event was really impressive. Over 60 people turned up to hear from climate leaders from diverse interests, backgrounds and skills.”
Six inspirational climate leaders were invited to speak and encourage everyone to have the courage to ‘rise up’ and take action to protect our future.
Professor David Karoly from the Climate Council kicked off the event with his comment that “the science is clear – climate change is causing more frequent and extreme weather events. Central Queensland will feel the effects more and more if we can’t put a stop to increasing greenhouse gas emissions quickly”.
Yolanda Waters represented Divers for Climate. Yolanda is a young person that has spent most of her life underwater. She worked out a few years ago that talking about climate change on the Great Barrier Reef was a huge opportunity to engage more people with action. She said, “What is happening with the current bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef is devastating, but community conversations about climate change, like the ones we’ve had this weekend and like the ones we have on tourist boats are critical in shifting public and political support for the actions needed to protect places like the Reef. We are all part of the story and we all have one to tell.”
It is these types of conversations that really make a difference. Finding the common space and vision, and then working together to make it happen.
Mick Alexander from Farmers for Climate Action gave us an overview of how he is changing his land management practices to not only improve his productivity, but also helping in restoring wetland and soil carbon stores and recreating wildlife habitat.
Ed Hill spoke about his light-bulb moment when the forests he successfully protected from logging were now being threatened by fires in an area that fire was never previously a consideration. Ed now uses his contacts and written skills to make sure that factual information makes its way to decision-makers and the public through media.
Imogen Lindenberg from the Mackay Conservation Group, another younger lady, spoke convincingly about the need for communities to speak together. She said, “We are much stronger together and we have so much in common. I think most of us want a healthy environment and a secure future.”
There was a lively discussion about methane emissions. Methane is much more potent than carbon dioxide, but it does break down faster. Ben Pennings, from the Queensland Conservation Council resolved the discussion by calling on the science. He said, “Methane’s short term potency is also an opportunity. Slashing methane emissions as quickly as possible is the fastest way to slow global heating. The best and fastest way to reduce methane emissions is for Governments to stop approving new coal mines and the expansion of existing mines.”
The amazing John McGrath was the master of ceremonies for the event. John is currently working in helping transition a local mining company towards a decarbonised future so knows first hand the challenges of the essential changes our climate and environment needs. He closed the event with some inspirational words:
“Look at you all here, you are all climate leaders and can make an important difference for our future environment.”
EnvA - CQ 