Some say that perhaps we have reached the tipping point on climate change, that no matter what we do it may be too late to stem the huge devastation that will be caused by global warming.

At the Rainforest Information Centre we have spent many years campaigning for issues that often seemed hopeless and yet our actions had much influence on positive outcomes. Now we bring this experience to the Climate Change Despair and Empowerment Roadshow.

In the 90-minute presentations, we address the underlying feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that many people feel when faced with such a huge crisis and how these feelings can be transformed into the fuel for inspiration and positive change.

Although, the time for action may have been yesterday as well as today, there is much that we can each do to try to stem the huge impacts of global warming. While we discuss real solutions and false solutions in our presentations, one of the most obvious solutions is the number of people sitting in the seats at each event.

As Al Gore said in an interview with Jonathan Freedland in mid 2006 (The Guardian), “But we don't have much time and it's on our watch! And the only way in a democracy to get the dramatic changes considered by the leaders, whoever they might be, is for the people for really to be seized of the crisis and to demand action.”

If the success thus far of the Rainforest Information Centre’s Climate Change Despair & Empowerment Roadshow is any indication, it would appear that the people are now being ‘seized by the crisis’ and ready to take action.

In Coffs Harbour, the Jetty Theatre’s 270 seats were filled with many turned away at the door. This was followed by other full house attendances in Port Macquarie, Bellingen and then in Canberra where it was held at the ACT House of Assembly. Last week, the roadshow was greeted by a packed out Richmond Town Hall in Melbourne and another successful evening in the City of Yarra where the Mayor did the introduction.

In each event, we discuss the importance of direct democracy and grassroots and that each of us now needs to awaken those around us to the urgency of understanding and action. As US Supreme Court Justice Brandeis said in 1930: "The most important office of government is citizen."

To this end, each event culminates in the formation or invigoration of a climate study action group.

The Climate Change Roadshow will be on the Northcoast from February 21st-24th in Byron, Mullum Lismore, Uki, Murwilllumbah, Kyogle, Nimbin, and Ballina.

The Lismore event, sponsored by Lismore City Council, will be held at the Red Dove on February 24th at 7.30PM.

NORTHCOAST EVENTS
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21st - 24th

Murwillumbah - Feb 21 Civic Auditorium 7:30PM
Kyogle - Feb 21 Memorial Hall 7.30PM
Byron Bay - Feb 22 Community Centre 7.30PM
Ballina - Feb 22 Richmond Room 6:30PM
Mullumbimby - Feb 23 Pioneer Hall 7PM
Nimbin - Feb 23 Town Hall 7:30PM
Uki - Feb 24 Uki Hall 7.30PM
Lismore - Feb 24 Red Dove 7:30PM

For further details, visit www.climate.net.au or email rainforestinfo@ozemail.com.au or ring 66 897 519.