Thousands support Walk Against Warming in Tassie’s forests 12/12/2009
Over 2000 Tasmanians joined the Walk Against Warming in the carbon-dense forests of the Upper Florentine. The crowd urged world leaders meeting in Copenhagen to take urgent action on climate change, including the protection of the world’s forests. Images and video of the Walk will be sent to Wilderness Society campaigners attending the climate talks in Copenhagen, and will be used to convey a clear message to the world’s leaders that Tasmanians want strong international action on climate change. The large crowd called on our local and international leaders to:
– Protect our forests as globally significant carbon stores
– Ensure a fair transition for all workers to a low-carbon economy
– Make Tasmania a 100%-renewable-energy island
The enthusiastic crowd heard from a climatologist, a union leader, representatives of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, a renewable energy expert, and celebrity gardener Peter Cundall, before being entertained by internationally renowned singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd, and indigenous Tasmanian singer-songwriter Ronnie Summers. The carbon-dense forests of Tasmania were chosen as the venue of this year’s Walk to highlight the importance of protecting the world’s forests as living carbon stores. Forest protection is absolutely necessary if we are to have any chance of combating dangerous climate change. “We are now at a crossroads in determining our climate future,” said climate scientist James Risbey. “Moderate emissions reductions will not be sufficient to reduce the likelihood of major irreversible climate changes. Limiting warming to a couple of degrees requires rapid and stringent emission reductions.”
“Scientific research has shown Tasmania’s forests store more carbon per hectare than the tropical rainforests of Indonesia and the Amazon,” said Vica Bayley of the Wilderness Society. “Protecting these forests is the single greatest contribution Tasmania could make to the global fight against climate change and that’s why we are here.” Michael Swanton from the Australian Services Union spoke of the need to look after the rights of workers who will be affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy. “Employers and employees around the world will have to change and adapt as we dramatically cut emissions,” he said. “Governments and the community must help employers and employees make these changes.”
“An expansion of the renewable-energy industry and improved energy efficiency measures, public transport options and cycleways will benefit the planet, personal budgets and community health,” said Phil Harrington, an internationally renowned climate expert working in Tasmania. “It was great to see such a large crowd here today, which shows the depth of community feeling on this issue,” said Jess Wright of Environment Tasmania. “With nearly 100,000 people joining walks around the country today, Australians have sent a clear message to our leaders that outcome of Copenhagen must be a strong, fair and binding agreement that will lead to a safe climate future for us all.”