Extinction Rebellion (XR) Lismore is part of the Northern Rivers push to highlight the issue of climate change and a march and candlelit vigil last night was the start to a fortnight of ‘Reclaim Our Future’ protests.
The march, which was held in solidarity with the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, on the ‘Faiths 4 Climate Justice’ global day of action, stopped at St Carthage’s Cathedral.
This morning, banners in several locations on the Pacific Highway and around Lismore reminded motorists of the gravity of our present climate crisis.
Theatrical flair to disrupt ‘business as usual’
An XR spokesperson said the over the coming two weeks activists will take to the streets of Lismore with theatrical flair to disrupt business as usual and join a national demand for climate justice.
‘A series of bold and escalating actions is planned for Canberra and around the country, coinciding with important national climate policy developments and the lead up to international climate talks in Glasgow.
‘As Australia’s COP26 delegation prepares to depart during this final sitting of Parliament, Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s will appeal the Federal Court’s finding that she has a duty of care to protect young people from climate harm.
Important Parliamentary votes
The spokesperson also said that there will also be two important Parliamentary votes during this time. ‘A Senate vote to disallow $50m to kick-start the huge Beetaloo Basin fracking project in the Northern Territory, and another attempt to pass Zali Steggall’s climate action bill. On October 18, Zali Steggall MP will table a revised draft of her Climate Change Bill to federal parliament.
‘The revisions reflect feedback from the inquiry process and introduce a new, short-term emissions reduction target of 60 per cent by 2030 vs 2005 levels.
‘In the absence of any policy from the government, the revised Bill provides Australia with an opportunity to adopt a meaningful climate commitment ahead of COP26.’
‘I do this for your kids’
Grandmother Susie Gipton, 71, said she never thought this was how she was going to spend her retirement. ‘I do this for your kids, my grandchild and the inheritors of the planet.
‘I also think and am hopeful we will get there despite our government. They need to get out of the way, and let private enterprise drive our journey to zero emissions. Protect our forests, stop logging immediately. A world without koalas in the wild is unthinkable.’
Social worker and mother Catherine Dosba-Thomson from Georgica said it’s great to hear so much discussion about emissions targets coming from our state and federal governments in the lead up to the conference of the parties 26. ‘But, according to the IPCC report, these targets are not ambitious enough to meet the challenge before us. We need more immediate action on climate change to stem emissions and protect Australia’s biodiversity.
Local XR activists have planned spectacular COVID-safe actions for the coming fortnight. ‘We are prepared to do whatever it takes to motivate our laggard political “leaders” in the lead-up to November’s international climate negotiations.’
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