Update from Australian Youth Climate Movement

A few things happening down here:

1. Earth Hour - yesterday in Australia. Should have blogged about it earlier, but yes, “last year it was a Sydney event, this year was a global movement”. Hmmm. I’m interested to know how much prominence it received in the rest of the world’s media. Here it was a big, big deal. I was on my balcony with some mates and candles, and watching most lights go out - and the Sydney harbour bridge dim - was pretty cool. There is some controversy around Earth Hour as it is focused on individual’s behaviour - turning off their lights - rather than calling for government action - but it’s a good educational event as people become aware of the link between electricity (lights) and climate change. Hopefully they will then make the link to COAL which is what powers their lights.

2. Fossil Fools Day - we’ll do it FIRST! Because of the time difference, as many of you know, everything happens earlier in Australia than most of the world. So we will have the absolute honour of kicking off Fossil Fools Day. Lots of actions are planned, and you can see a list of some on our website.

An example of an action that’s taking place near me:

From a group in Sydney: “We’re using this day to promote positive change in our cities to lead away from a car-dominated Sydney and towards a cycle and pedestrian-friendly Sydney, where the streetscape is used in more vibrant and creative ways, by the local people who live there!

So… we decided to create a park. In the streetscape. In a metered car parking space, to be precise - an urban ‘car-free oasis’ of lush green turf, plants, colour, … and best of all, people! Creatively using and engaging with the public open space that is ours, and raising awareness of these issues by welcoming passers-by to share and enjoy the space, and come to appreciate just how different the streetscape could be.

With the release of the Gehl report for Sydney last year, City of Sydney’s exciting new plans to improve the public open space of our urban environment, and with the ongoing imperative need for action on climate change we think the time is perfect to tap into this positive energy and continue to generate public interest and support for these issues. Hey, it IS our city, right??! “

About Anna

Anna Rose, 25, founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition in November 2006. The coalition unites a diversity of youth organisations to build a generation-wide movement to solve climate change. Anna was a National Organiser for the National Union of Students in 2005 and is past National Convenor of the Australian Student Environment Network. She is a former editor of the Sydney University student paper, member of the United Nations Pacific Youth Environment Network, holds a 2008 Fellowship from the International Youth Foundation, and comes from the biggest coal export port in the world - Newcastle, Australia.

It’s Getting Hot In Here