Affirmations
Ian Lowe
Posted May 23rd, 2008 by naught101
Ian Lowe, President on Australian Conservation Foundation on Climate Camp At
a Brisbane Public Forum "Our Climate At A Crossroads", May 17, 2008.
"I don't think there's any doubt in ecological terms we're booked on the Titanic and we're sailing for the climate change iceberg, that are being broken off more rapidly from the polar ice caps as more of them receed.
"The economist's approach is to say: there's no point travelling steerage if you're booked on the Titanic, you might as well go to the bar and order the vintage champage, because your cheque is never going to reach the bank.
"The apathetic's approach is to say: the crew must know what they are doing so we might as well just enjoy ourselves.
"But the activist's approach is to say that we don't have to hit the iceberg. We don't have to condemn the world to unacceptable climate change. If the crew on the Bridge won't change course, we should organise a mutiny. What I think the Climate Camp is about is organising a mutiny. If the people we elect and place so generously to make decisions on our behalf won't make responsible decisions on climate change, we will in the great tradition, honed to an artform by Mahatma Gandhi; we will indulge in civil disobedience and we will force people making the decisions to take a more responsible approach."
You can download an MP3 of Ian's great half hour speech here: http://climateradio.podomatic.com/enclosure/2008-05-29T02_57_03-07_00.mp3
Derek Povel, Clean Energy for Eternity
Posted June 30th, 2008 by Steve PhillipsDerek Povel is from Clean Energy for Eternity.
Clean Energy for Eternity
Right now we have the science, technology, money and time to tackle climate change in earnest. All we need is the motivation to commit the significant resources required to develop and implement long-term solutions. To that effect Climate Camp will re enforce the overwhelming community desire for Australia to meet the challenges of climate crisis and the desperate need to provoke swift action from our political representatives.
Our national history in renewable energy and energy efficiency innovation should deliver considerable confidence to our leaders that Australia has a bright future in this rapidly growing global industry. The early starters are already reaping the benefits of accelerated development. These include social, economic and environment gains, providing increased employment, investment, training and export opportunities for their populations. Australia is ready.
The magnitude and detail of Australia’s response will be revealed by the federal government in the coming months, now is the time to demonstrate your concerns and Climate Camp is ideally timed for maximum impact. See you there.
Steve Shallhorn, Chief Executive Officer, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Ltd.
Climate Change is recognised as a significant threat to our future and one requiring an enormous community response. Environmentalists, community organisation and unions have a long history of working together on progressive causes. These include the campaign to close the Jabiluka mine, the Green Bans imposed by the Builders Laborer's Federation and campaigns around nuclear disarmament.
The Camp for Climate Action is similarly about everyday people taking action to protect our children's future from catastrophic climate change, calling the Federal Government's attention to the extreme urgency of the climate challenge. The Government's lack of action to address our reliance on coal as the major contribution to climate change in Australia warrants unprecedented action on the part of ordinary people to avert this crisis.
Michael Costa, NSW Treasurer, on the Camp for Climate Action
Posted June 19th, 2008 by Steve PhillipsMichael Costa is the Treasurer of NSW. His Climate Camp Affirmation was made in the NSW Legislative Council on 18th June 2008, in response to a question about energy efficiency from Greens MLC John Kaye.
"The camp will be held over six days from 10 to 15 July in
Michael Costa Newcastle, conducting inspiring workshops and direct action aimed at shutting down the world's largest coal port in Newcastle, just north of Sydney."
Clive Hamilton
Author of Growth Fetish (2003), Affluenza (with Richard Denniss, 2005), What’s Left: The death of social democracy (2006), Silencing Dissent
Clive Hamilton (edited with Sarah Maddison, 2007) and Scorcher: The dirty politics of climate change (2007). His next book, titled The Freedom Paradox: Towards a post-secular ethics, will be published by Allen & Unwin on 1 August 2008.
"While there has been a shift in public sentiment on climate change over the last two years, we have a long way to go before we as a nation give it anywhere near the seriousness it demands. The crazy debate over petrol rices proves that.
Campaigning by citizens groups and NGO's is more important than ever. If we do manage to get the climate crisis under control in the next 10-20 years it will only be because of the efforts of those who were willing to make a personal sacrifice to demand that our political leaders act."
Peter Kennedy - Hunter Valley coalminer
Peter KennedyArthur Ridgeway, Member of the Kattungkuba Birrawaltja (Kattung Sovereign Nation)
The creation of Nikkin (coal) within the lands of Kattung is the very foundation of the identity of the Kattung as a Nation. Nikkin itself embodies the very spirit of unity. Its creation was born out of the unification of the Kattung Peoples. Nikkin itself is an ancient reminder of this event and
Kattung National Flag perhaps is the world’s oldest “treaty” between any of the families of humanity.
The unearthing of Nikkin is an unholy act. Many will suffer & have suffered because of this. We are seeing this through the devastation called “climate change”. People are losing their National Homelands because the oceans are rising.
As a member of Kattung it is my obligation to protect Nikkin for the sake of our people & the peoples of the Earth as a whole. I honour the spirit & hard work of the Climate Camp organizers for the sake of ALL. Climate Camp carries the spirit of “unity”, the true spirit of this land.
Vinay Jaju
ON
Nicola Paris
Anna Rose
Posted June 8th, 2008 by Steve PhillipsAnna Rose is a co-ordinator of the Australian Youth Climate Coaltion.
Anna Rose
"Climate change is the biggest issue facing our generation. It's so huge, so overwhelming, that few of us can even imagine what the future could become if climate tipping points are reached. I feel like someone who has discovered a terrible secret, a mass grave earmarked for us - and all our children - that our governments have decided to essentially ignore. They step around it, refusing to do what needs do be done, and decide it is more convenient – and profitable (in the short-term) - to continue with business as usual.
"Those of us who can see this mass grave, are overwhelmed by the size of the hole and the pace at which humanity is hurtling towards it. We can only fight this challenge one struggle at a time, one place at a time. This is how we will win. Climate camp will be the first time this struggle will be dramatized in Australia through mass direct action. It will be a landmark event in the Australian climate movement.
