Community members from Tamworth Parents and Friends for Climate Action will host ‘Storytime for the Planet’ this Friday 15th October outside the office of the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP to coincide with the National Schools Strike for Climate.
The group will read children’s stories about saving the planet, sing songs and deliver letters to Mr. Joyce.
‘Our region is ideally placed to reap huge benefits in a renewable economy. Our solar and wind resources are amongst the best in the country, as has been demonstrated by the recent scramble by tenderers to secure project opportunities in the New England Renewable Energy Zone,’ parent Tessa Rainbird said.
‘Yet Barnaby Joyce often paints a picture that regional communities aren’t concerned about climate change, or are reluctant to transition away from a fossil fuel economy. We are here to tell him that is simply not the case. We understand the science, we are very worried, and we want to move with the rest of the world on this issue.’
‘We don’t want our region, or our country, to be held back by Mr. Joyce.’
‘Australia is ranked last in the world on climate action. If we do not take action now, Australia risks being left behind, resulting in economic and climate impacts beyond what we can comprehend.’
‘We are asking him to fight for people in regional areas, by committing to a policy which will protect us from climate extremes, encourage investment in renewables and provide a safe planet for our children’s future,’ Ms. Rainbird urged.
‘We are already seeing the impacts of climate change hurt those closest to us, with more severe droughts, bushfires, and longer heatwaves. Young children are at increased risk from the extremes in weather. It's going to take all of us working together to succeed and the solutions are already available to us.’
The storytime event is being held two weeks before the crucial COP 26 global climate summit. The group is calling for a net-zero by 2050 target and strong ambition on a mid-term target with 75% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Media contact: Heidi Lee Douglas, Communications and Campaign Director, Australian Parents for Climate Action
Watch the Facebook Live video of the event here https://fb.watch/8Ev3FZbnY9/