‘Business as usual is no longer an option’ is the key message from the not-for-profit advocacy organisation Farmers for Climate Action, which is launching a new crowd-funded television campaign across regional screens from March 24.
The television campaign follows the inaugural Farmers for Climate Action Climate Smart Agriculture Fellowship in Victoria, and the first ever climate change summit of Queensland farmers, which is taking place this week.
‘Farmers across Australia know that climate change is already hitting them hard – this isn’t just a problem for future generations, it’s hurting us here and now,’ said Verity Morgan-Schmidt, CEO of Farmers for Climate Action.
‘Momentum for climate action is growing rapidly across rural Australia and we’re calling on farmers to look up, speak up and our politicians to keep up.’
Yesterday representatives from Farmers for Climate Action delivered a petition with more than 150,000 signatures to the Queensland Parliament, calling on all politicians to take action on climate change and to oppose the expansion of new thermal coal projects.
The petition was delivered as the ABC’s Four Corners program aired an episode on the impacts of climate change, showcasing agriculture as one of Australia’s most climate exposed industries.
‘As farmers, we can’t allow our country to continue on a trajectory of rising emissions and climate inaction. Our future is in our hands,’ said Verity Morgan-Schmidt.
Crookwell sheep farmer, Charlie Prell, said farmers were on the frontline of climate change and were taking the lead on climate change action.
‘Standing up for rural Australia means standing up for action on climate change,’ said Mr Prell.
‘As farmers, we’re feeling the impacts already. Our livelihood is at stake – and that impacts on the food security of Australia. This is everyone’s problem and we need to act now.’
For more information on Farmers for Climate Action, visit the website at www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au
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I watched last nights ( 5/3/2018 ) Four Corners program and it was a gem. reporter Michael Brissenden went on the road to rural and urban locations to showcase what climate change is doing, it is here and already impacting all of us. The standout for me was the different farmers who had weather / climate records going back many decades through the generations of their family as evidence of the climatic changes. The great irony is that whilst the farmers get it and are trying to grapple with it, climate change, their political representatives The National Party are in complete denial of the ‘climate emergency’. Why do farmers still vote for The National Party?