In the heart of the Northern Rivers, a critical conversation is about to unfold. On 23 October, the Brunswick Picture House will host ‘Highway to Hell: Are we stuck in a Climate Action Cul-de-sac?’
Headlining this crucial gathering is Dr Joelle Gergis, a renowned climate scientist and lead author of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report.
Dr Gergis brings with her not just global expertise, but a stark warning: we are running out of time to prevent catastrophic climate change.
But organisers say this isn’t just another talk about doom and gloom. This event is about action, about hope, about community coming together to forge a path forward.
Joining Dr Gergis is a powerhouse panel of local experts ready to talk about real, tangible solutions:
- Isabelle Reinecke, founder of Grata Fund, fighting for climate justice through the courts.
- Mandy Nolan, Greens candidate for Richmond, bringing humour and heart to hard conversations.
- Michelle Lowe, Byron Shire Councillor, Bundjalung woman and Strike 4 Climate activist, offering crucial Indigenous perspectives.
- Royce Kurmelovs, journalist and author, exposing Australia’s toxic relationship with fossil fuels.
- Monet Shortland, Ocean Voices, representing the generation with the most at stake.
Northern Rivers on the frontline
The ‘Highway to Hell’ event will be hosted by Chels Hood Withey, founder of House You, who notes that we’ve seen firsthand the impacts of a changing climate – from devastating floods to scorching bushfires.
Organisers say this event isn’t just about listening; it’s about participating, and turning the highway to hell into a road to redemption.
It’s about turning anxiety into action, despair into determination – because action is the antidote to despair.
Attendees will have the opportunity to not just hear from experts, but to engage in community action planning.
Whether you’re concerned about housing insecurity, passionate about renewable energy, or simply worried about the world we’re leaving for our children, there’s a place for you in this conversation, and a chance to be part of the solution.
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