climate emergency rally – melbourne

Today I marched with around 4,000 other Victorians from the State Library to Treasury Gardens to highlight to the federal government how flawed Kevin Rudd’s CPRS scheme is. There were many familiar and local faces amongst rally goers and it was good to see that people from all walks of life are concerned about state and federal government inaction on climate change.

It is always good to see Bob Brown visiting Melbourne.


The Yarra Valley Climate Action Group were there, travelling from the Yarra Valley to show their concern about the CPRS and man made global warming created from greenhouse gas emissions.

Cr Sam Gaylard from the City of Yarra was there.

This is me pictured with the Ashburner/Reid family from the Dandenong Ranges.

Seasoned climate campaigner Janet Rice was there.

Cam Walker from Friends of the Earth was there with his son.

Bob Brown led the march to the Melbourne Town Hall where the ALP were holding their state conference.

Cr Lynette Kelleher from the City of Casey was marching.

Ian Rainbow, dedicated environmental volunteer with Friends of Glenfern Valley, Upwey marching to Treasury Gardens.

The Sherbrooke Community School are very passionate about environmental issues, it was terrific to see them at today’s rally.

The Greens were proud supporters of today’s rally, here I am pictured with Geelong Green, Tory and Steve Meacher of the Healesville Greens. Steve is also chairperson of Healesville Environment Watch and was the driving force behind the establishment of local climate group in Healesville, C4.

The South West Greens were there highlighting forest issues, deforestation accounts for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

David Spratt, co-author of Climate Code Red, standing outside the ALP State Conference. David has also been working on a significant climate project, Safe Climate Australia, a not-for-profit group dedicated to planning the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

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Safe Climate Australia has been formed by a group of concerned climate scientists, community and business leaders with a shared understanding of the need for emergency action to restore a safe climate.

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Safe Climate Australia will be officially launched at an event for 1000 invited guests in Melbourne on July 13, with a keynote speech from Nobel Prize winner, Al Gore.

Safe Climate Australia is aiming to deepen community understanding about both the scientific imperatives that demand action at great speed, and about how we can plan the rapid transition to a zero-carbon economy. If you’d like to know more visit Safe Climate Australia.

climate emergency rally

Saturday, the 5th July, I joined with 5000 other Victorians, most dressed in red, to participate in the Climate Emergency Rally and Giant Human Sign.

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We started in the City Square and marched to the Alexandra Gardens to take part in forming a massive 140 metre human Climate Emergency sign.

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Senator Bob Brown spoke at the rally about the government’s inaction and stressed the importance of Australia taking action to address climate change now.

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"Climate change is a disaster which is on our doorstep. We, in this wealthy lucky nation, must take a lead for the rest of the world to follow."
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Mention of the desalination plant, brown coal power stations, freeways & tunnels all received a resounding jeer from rally goers.

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Jasmine from the Sherbrooke Community School was there with a petition to reverse the means test on the Solar Panel rebate scheme, which I was happy to sign.

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It was great to see some of the Yarra Ranges community at the rally.
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These people from Wonthaggi had a clear message for the DSE.

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I am committed to addressing climate change at a local level, it was great news to hear that the Shire of Yarra Ranges is a finalist in the Local Government section of the Banksia Awards. The awards aim to raise the profile of the current environmental issues facing Australia and recognise those whose initiatives are an encouragement and an example for others to follow. If you'd like to know more visit http://www.banksiafdn.com/index.php?page=351#Local.

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The rally was timely, the Garnaut report released on Friday cements the views of participants, we must do something now, we cannot afford inaction any longer.

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For the full media release click here

climate emergency rally - 5th July

Climate Emergency Rally: Melbourne
Saturday 5th July, 1 pm to 4 pm

City Square (cnr Swanston and Collins Streets)
Then march to Alexandra Gardens

The rally aims to send a wake-up call to state and federal governments that they are heading in the wrong direction. Governments are not doing enough to address global warming, we need to let them know we want them to do much, much more, NOW.

Make sure your voice is heard. I'll be there, come up and say hello.

Come to the rally wearing red, to participate in the giant 140-metre human "climate emergency" sign.