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Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith/Oxfam
We can and must take action – now
Climate change is the profound challenge of our times. It will affect us all.
Increasingly intense and erratic weather and natural events (such as storms and tidal surges) are causing unprecedented land degradation and crop failure which are hurting livelihoods, increasing food shortages and forcing millions to relocate.
Resources are already needed to help those in the developing world who are facing difficulties adapting to climate change. Unless we act now things will get a lot worse.
You can make a difference – host or attend a climate change event
People need to hear about the human impact of climate change. You can help by holding or attending a climate change event Your event can be whatever you want it to be: it can be as simple as a morning tea at work, inviting friends around to watch the climate change video at home, or a discussion in your school or community group.
We have produced a tremendous 15 minute DVD that sums up the climate crisis facing Australia’s neighbours in the developing world. This DVD also discusses Professor Ross Garnaut’s draft report (released in July) and the leadership role our government must take to help establish a new and equitable international agreement to tackle climate change.
Supported with this DVD, your role can be whatever you want it to be. Become a community activist, encouraging others in your workplace, school, community or faith group to watch the DVD, or simply play it at home for family and friends.
Other resources you can use include the climate change quiz and a media kit. The quiz gives you another opportunity to explore the issues, encourage others to learn more, or act as a conversation-starter in a larger group. The media kit could help you write a letter to the editor, or write to your local paper to tell them about your climate change forum or quiz night.
Write to Penny Wong and Professor Garnaut
Importantly, at your event, we encourage you and your work colleagues, family or friends to write to Senator Penny Wong, the Minister for Climate Change and Water, and Professor Garnaut, urging them to reduce the impacts of climate change in the developing world. Professor Garnaut's final report, for instance, must be strengthened to recognise the injustice at the centre of climate change and underline the need for Australian Government leadership to secure deep international greenhouse pollution cuts as well as the establishment of an international fund to help poor communities adapt to climate change.
Register your climate change event now »
Register now and we will send you the “See the bigger picture” DVD. We will also send a range of other terrific resources including brochures, posters, stickers, the media kit and the climate change quiz, to help you spread the word and engage your community. Oxfam is collaborating with a number of other agencies in the Make Poverty History coalition to prepare and promote these climate change forum resources.
Attend your state’s major climate change event
NSW
You’re invited to the Make Poverty History Global Climate Change Café for an evening of food, hot climate change speakers and workshops. Hear from keynote speakers about the human impact of climate change. Take part in interactive workshops to address the big climate change questions and have your say on how Australia should respond to this profound challenge of our times.
When: Wednesday 17 September, 6pm–8:30pm (drinks, food, climate-friendly actions and stalls from 5:30pm)
Where: Gallery Functions Centre on Level 6, Tower Building, Broadway, University of Technology, Sydney
Western Australia
Hear an African climate change story from Charmaine Consul Goncalves, Oxfam Program Coordinator from Mozambique, and enjoy the carbon-neutral sausage sizzle. Hosted by Murdoch University.
When: Thursday 11 September, 11.30am–12.30pm
Where: Education and Humanities Common Room, Murdoch University
Download the event flyer
Queensland
Join the People’s Forum on Climate Change, Global Poverty and Development. Hear a diverse panel of speakers addressing the human impacts of climate change, and the transition to sustainable socially and environmentally just solutions. Hosted by the University of Queensland. Free entry.
When: Tuesday 9 September, 6.30pm–8.30pm
Where: Steele Lecture Theatre, Building 3, St Lucia Campus, University of Queensland
Download the event flyer
South Australia
Details to come.
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For more information about holding your own community event or the campaign, contact your local community campaigner
