Barnaby Joyce, farmers want to see meaningful climate action now!
Dear Minister Joyce,
My name is Joe Boyle and I have just moved back to my family’s grains and sheep farm near Watchem, Victoria. I’m writing because I want to see our politicians take a stand on climate action. I grew up in the millenium drought and have carved a career in agriculture, amidst bushfires, floods and heatwaves. I love farming but I’m also incredibly worried about the future. Farmers are great at adapting, but there are limits to what we can do. Acting on climate change also makes financial sense. Farmers have had it with politicians point scoring and squabbling over climate change, when we could be reaping the benefits of a low carbon economy. Right now the EU is drafting legislation that will penalise Australia’s farmers over climate inaction. At the same time, there are incredible opportunities for farmers and farming communities, particularly around the massive investment we are about to see in renewables, and sequestering carbon in trees and soil.
I and the farmers named below call on you as the leader of the Nationals, a party that claims to represent farmers and regional Australia, to back a rapid and orderly transition to a low carbon future. And we want you to know that farmers care deeply about climate change and the impact it will have on our farms and our future. Signed.