GLOBAL WARMING SPARKS LOCAL ACTION
MEDIA RELEASE 31 January 2007
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For those concerned about global warming – and
who isn't? – two free local events will help you find out more about the
problem and what you can do.
If you missed former US Vice-President Al Gore's
gripping documentary An Inconvenient Truth at the movies, or if you need a refresher, you can see his slideshow
right here in the Shire. Marcus Gibson is one of 85 'climate messengers'
trained by Mr Gore on his recent visit to Australia. The messengers have been
in very high demand, already addressing hundreds of people each at local
meetings booked since the program's inception in December 2006. Mr Gibson will
present An Inconvenient Truth,
including an update covering recent Australian events, at Hazelhurst on Tuesday
20 February at 7pm.
Following on two weeks later is your opportunity to
make a difference about global warming. The Climate Change, Despair and
Empowerment Roadshow aims to motivate
people to take action on climate change in the wake of An Inconvenient Truth. The roadshow has also had a phenomenal response
since its debut at the Woodford Folk Festival in December. More than forty
presentations are planned for cities and towns in New South Wales, Queensland
and Victoria.
The Sutherland event will be held at Hazelhurst at 7pm
Tuesday March 6, led by international environmentalist Ruth Rosenhek, Director
of the Rainforest Information Centre, Lismore.
Ms Rosenhek will use video presentations to quickly
recap the issue and explore some of the solutions. The focus will then shift to
confronting public and personal denial and despair. The group will consider
forming a Climate Study/Action Group and what local activities it might take
on.
Ms Rosenhek said, "Emotion can be a barrier that stops
people from doing something about this issue. It's just so enormous and
distressing, people move straight from denial to despair. But the good news is,
once these feelings are acknowledged and expressed, they can be a powerful fuel
for action."
The events are already garnering local support. Church
groups have offered to promote them and Sutherland Mayor David Redmond is
providing the Council venue free of charge.
The events have been organised by Gymea Bay resident
Jonathan Doig. Mr Doig is an experienced environmental campaigner and is now
lobbying the state government to build a cycleway as part of the
Sutherland-Cronulla rail duplication project.
"Global warming is probably the most serious threat
humanity has ever faced," Mr Doig said. "You only have to turn on the news
– or the weather – to see our climate is already changing for the
worse. Severe drought, temperature extremes and hurricanes are now breaking
all-time records. Recent scientific data shows it's happening much faster than
predicted."
"The situation is critical and we need to act fast. We must
cut greenhouse gas emissions this decade to avoid a global catastrophe. But
politicians still seem to think it's business as usual and our emissions keep
on rising."
"We have the technology and
resources, all that's lacking is political will. We need everyone to speak up
on this issue everywhere they can, to make changes in our community and force
politicians here and around the world to listen," Mr Doig said.
Diary
Dates:
* Tuesday 20 February 7pm:
An Inconvenient Truth slideshow at
Hazelhurst
*Tuesday 6 March 7pm: Climate
Change, Despair and Empowerment Roadshow
at Hazelhurst
Hazelhurst
Regional Gallery & Arts Centre is located at 782 Kingsway Gymea, five
minutes walk from Gymea railway station.
Further information:
Jonathan Doig on 0409 049185 or email jon@doig.net
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