Human-induced climate change affects us all.
Polar ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising and extreme climate events accelerating. Food prices will skyrocket and water systems and sea life are under threat. Refugees will increase.
Climate change is the greatest threat facing our world today–and we have little time left to stop it.
There are solutions. Better regulation and relocalising our economies, organic agriculture and alternative energy will start to turn this heat wave around.
World leaders will be meeting in Paris from 30 November to 11 December to address this climate crisis. Let’s hope they are ready for more than debate.
Humankind has the political expertise and technology to stop climate catastrophe–but only with bold government and local actions. Now it’s up to the world’s people to demand that their leaders listen to the scientists. Listen to the poorer people of earth who live by agriculture, listen to the forests and seas.
Byron shire mayor Simon Richardson will also be at the conference in Paris, crowd funded, presenting the Zero Emissions Byron (ZEB) project within the Cities and Regions Pavilion.
He will be Australia’s only mayor invited to the event, as an Oceania representative, by ICLEI – the international organisation of Local Governments for Sustainability.
But it’s not just up to our leaders; it’s also up to each and everyone of us to speak up now!
Accordingly, civil society groups like Avaaz and others have called for a global weekend of action to address this crisis.
The people of Byron shire and beyond will be rallying at 10 am Railway Park, Byron Bay, on Sunday 29 November to push for real action to address the climate crisis.
We need binding targets for all countries. A carbon credit scheme will reward the polluting corporations, whereas a carbon tax can make a real incentive for conservation!
The rally will start at 10am and include music, speakers and networking. Speakers include Delta Kay, Helena Norberg Hodge, Beyond Zero Emissions, Mary Gardiner, and representatives of the Greens, ALP and Nationals. This will be followed by a march to Main Beach at 11.30am, followed by a group photo at 12 noon.
Organisers are calling for people to show up with banners, placards, drums and whistles to make some noise and be heard. Try to come early to get a park. Bring water and umbrellas.
Organisers are also requesting that people get into Byron early to find parking. In case of serious rain, head to the Byron Community Centre at 10am.
Wearing red will symbolise our hotting up planet’s state!
Volunteers are needed on the day. Please call Paul on 0427795428 or [email protected]
Speak up for real action to address the climate crisis now – for our children and all life on Earth!
Dr Liz Elliott, Mullumbimby
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
