It’s Getting Hot In Here

More than 50 rallies demanding action on climate change were held throughout Australia yesterday (Sunday 11th November), totalling over 150,000 people. I was proud of my country as I saw the figures about the numbers of marchers, including: 50,000 in Melbourne (image above); 30,000 in Sydney; 9,000 in Canberra; 6000 in Adelaide; 4,000 in Brisbane; 2,500 in Hobart.

The rallies, two weeks before the Australian Federal election, were jointly organised and promoted by all Australian Climate groups, especially the state conservation councils. The Australian Youth Climate Coalition organised large youth contingents. AYCC National Coordinator Amanda McKenzie and ASEN National Convenor Nicky Ison both spoke at the Sydney rally, with Ellen Sandell from Melbourne University Environment Collective speaking at the Melbourne rally.

The previous weekend, Rising Tide Newcastle organised a blockade of the world’s largest coal export port (in Newcastle, NSW - see image below). 100 people attended and shut down the port for approximately 4 hours. Organisers, including many students from Newcastle University, stated: “The protest was a fantastic show of community determination to take action against Australia’s biggest contribution to climate change, despite resistance from government and industry. As well as being a powerful and symbolic action, the protest succeeded in disrupting coal exports from Newcastle Harbour.”

This was the third blockade of the coal port in the past few years. In February 2007, five hundred people came to occupy the port and call on the NSW Government to reject plans for a massive expansion of coal mining and exports in NSW.

Here is a copy of Nicky and Amanda’s speech from the Sydney rally:

Amanda

It feels great to walk today on Eora Nation Land and know that we are part of such a huge movement to stop the most serious and urgent threat to the human kind - climate change.

My name is Amanda McKenzie, National Coordinator of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

Nicky

I am Nicky Ison, and the National Convenor of the Australian Student Environment Network.

We are here on behalf of a movement of young people right across Australia, who are concerned about climate change and want a voice in the debate.

After all, it’s our future that’s being debated.

Amanda

As young people we do not have mortgages, shares, many of us have not yet begun our careers. Our only vested interest is in the future health of the planet. This puts us in the unique position of being able to speak the truth. To speak the truth without spin and instead with genuine concern.

What is really scary to a young person like myself, when I look at what the scientists say we need to do and how urgently we must do it, and compare that to what is on the table – I realize that none of the political parties are offering a sufficient plan for a bold, responsible transition to a clean energy economy. Neither side of politics appreciates the urgency of the problem. Neither side is committed to solving the climate crisis.

Nicky

Both parties have had 30 years to get their heads around this issue, neither have managed to do so.

Labor is committed to a scrawny reduction target, while in 11 years the Coalition has failed to introduce one at all.

Both parties believe that we can dig their our way out climate change.

Both are expanding the coal industry, Australia’s number one contribution to the climate crisis

Both are dilly dallying with so called “clean coal”, a technology that remains unproven, costly and will not provide the reductions we so urgently need in timeframe required.

Both are expanding the nuclear industry.

The Howard Government is wasting time talking about nuclear power. Despite the fact that greenhouse pollution is produced throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, and it is a technology that is too expensive, too dangerous, and too slow to implement.

We need to end the expansion of the fossil fuels and nuclear and

We need to end the $9billion a year in government subsidies to the fossil fuel industry.

We know nuclear is NO SOLUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

We know we can’t dig our way out of climate change!

Amanda

Indeed to think so is a dangerous distraction. The REAL solutions to the climate crisis are in our own backyard. Australia is the sunniest country in the world and one of the windiest. Renewable energy can be rapidly deployed and is already supplying 20% of the energy in Denmark with that set to increase to 50% why can’t Australia do the same and more?

Seriously, our politicians need to get real and get their act together.

Nicky

Australia has the potential to become an example to the rest of the world, turning our fossil fuel intensive economy clean, green and renewable. I’m an engineering student and when I finish my degree I want a job doing just that.

That means we need a significant investment in renewable energy – an investment in my future.

Amanda

The sort of change we need requires leadership. Bold leadership. Leadership with vision and courage. While this is painfully lacking from both the major parties, it is alive within the climate movement as we can see here today. Young people across the country and around the world are leading the charge and creating a generation wide movement for change.

Nicky

We are getting educated, we are getting active and we are getting organised. Around the world young people are switching their communities, their schools and their universities to renewable energy. Young people are turning the tide, putting themselves on the line to prevent the expansion of the dangerous and powerful fossil fuels industry. And young people are holding politicians and decision makers accountable and demanding real action on climate change.

Amanda

Climate change is not a political issue, it is a moral issue. Living the way we do now, means generations in the future will not. If we continue our irresponsible use of fossil fuels we will commit pacific islanders to the loss of their homes, commit Australian farmers to increased severity of droughts and create half a billion climate refugees. Climate change is about justice and it is about ethics. The moral imperative weighs heavily on each one of us.

Let us not shrink back from the responsibility, let us embrace it. Each generation has its challenges, unfortunately ours happens to be the future of the planet.

We cannot fail, we will WIN! Coming to the WAW is a great first stop, however it is not enough. To overcome the climate crisis we need your help! Each one of us must get active whether through education, lobbying, advocacy, creating alternatives or direct action.

Nicky

Come, join us and thousands of others next year in Newcastle for 5 inspiring days of workshops and grassroots direct action aimed at stopping the expansion of the world’s largest coal port.

Amanda

Be a part of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition’s unique program where young people across the country can Adopt their local politician, opening dialogue channels between those in charge and those who will be most affected.

Because when it comes to climate change the people who will be least affected are in charge, while those who will be most affected have no direct say whatsoever.

Most of the future leaders, parents, teachers, scientists, engineers and celebrities whose world is most threatened by dangerous climate change aren’t yet old enough to vote.

Some of them are still in prams.

But they are, just as I am, counting on you to use your vote, your voice and your actions and together we can create a future free from climate chaos.

Thank you.