The Climate Action campaign is an initiative by SCEC focused on broadening Sunshine Coast residents’ awareness of climate change issues, and encouraging them to become involved in climate action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Sign our Fossil Fuel Divestment online petition and join Australia’s growing movement.
Why is this campaign needed?
There is consensus in the scientific community that as a result of our increasing greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane and other gases), we are on track to cause catastrophic change in our climate, which will have an impact across all nations, all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, and future generations. Beautiful icons such as the Great Barrier Reef are seriously at risk. According to recent official NASA data, 2016 is already on track to be the hottest year ever on record, with each of the first six months (from January to June), being the warmest respective month globally in the modern temperature record which dates back to 1880. So far this year, the planet’s average temperature has been 1.3 degrees celsius warmer than the late 19th century. In 2009, international climate negotiators agreed in the Copenhagen Accord that warming should not increase more than 2 degrees Celsius this century.
What does this mean?
Sustained above-average temperatures, as the planet has seen so far this century, can affect the ice sheet, global sea levels, ecosystems, agriculture, coastal development, ocean acidification, rainfall and a number of cyclical rhythms. In 2016, we saw the worst ever coral bleaching event in the Great Barrier Reef – a direct result of increased sea water temperature. Changes to the ocean’s pH also prevent carbonate structures like shells from forming. Organisations such as CSIRO, the International Energy Agency, NASA, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) all agree that we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions if this catastrophic change is to be avoided. What is the aim of the Climate Action campaign? We believe that once ordinary people understand the issues surrounding climate change, and are not misled by the well-organised climate denial industry, they will demand serious commitment by our political leaders for real action. The aim of our Climate Action campaign is to undertake initiatives which will engage in partnership with the community in a journey of discovery about climate change issues.
What is SCEC doing?
Lobbying local governments and institutions to divest from fossil fuels: We want our politicians, of all parties and at all levels, acknowledge that they must show leadership in committing to reductions in greenhouse emissions, both in Australia and internationally. Across Australia, more than 120 institutions such as local councils, universities and churches have resolved to shift their investments out of the fossil fuel industry. SCEC is campaigning for similar ethical action to be taken by the Sunshine Coast Council, the Noosa Council and the University of the Sunshine Coast. Sign our online petition asking your local councils to join the fossil fuel divestment movement!
Climate Action in the community
SCEC hold a variety of impactful community events, film screenings and personalised Climate Reality Training to raise awareness and spread knowledge about the impacts of climate change in the community, and to show our politicians that their constituents want action on climate change now! Over the years, SCEC have held a number of community events to coincide with international climate conferences and days of action. By linking the broader community together on the things that matter, whether that be through one of our Climate Relay events, our Paddle out for Climate Action, our Earth Hour events, or one of our documentary film screenings – we aim to build a community ready to adapt to the changes we face.
What you can do
Please join us in our efforts to tackle the most important of all 21st century issues. The most powerful thing you can do is visit www.marketforces.org.au and look up your bank and superannuation fund. Are they investing in fossil fuels? If so, move your money to a bank or fund that doesn’t. Sign our online petition asking for your local council and university to divest from fossil fuels. Record your own climate action message and add your voice to this important message! Talk to your friends and family about climate change. Many people find it difficult to bring up this topic, but we will never move society on this issue if we all remain silent. Host a climate reality presentation. Members of our climate action team are available to come and address large and small gatherings to help people gain a better understanding of climate change and the many ways it will impact on our community. Our team is highly trained with several members having completed Al Gore’s Climate Reality Training. Join the climate action team. There are countless opportunities to progress the issue of climate change in our community: film nights, seminars, rallies, letter writing, art exhibitions and the list goes on. Our ability to make progress is limited only by the number of people in our team. So join the team and help make a difference. Make a tax deductible donation to support climate action projects.