Over the past few years it has become increasingly evident that I needed to turn my attention to the issues of Climate Change.
As humanity blunders headlong towards multiple calamity, I realised as a mother and grandmother that I needed to do something. I wanted to have an answer for my grandchildren as they reach the future that we are creating for them. When they ask “What did you do when you knew?”
My first baby steps were when 350.org called for people from all countries to host a function in our own home town. In 2009 I hosted the event in Byron Bay. I spent heavily, ads in the local paper, a thousand flyers, signs, notification to media outlets, I followed all the advice I found on the 350.org web site. A small crowd of friends and family members gathered on the beach to make a stand. I felt disappointed in the numbers but tried again in 2010 when once again I volunteered to host the 10/10/10 world event for 350.org.
Once again I invested heavily, $1,000 for an ad in the local paper, $500 for flyers and signs, hired a professional photographer and an aeroplane to get aerial shots on the beach of us spelling out the words 350ppm. I was thrilled at the numbers who came, whilst small they were a hardy bunch because a front moved in at the precise time of 10 mins past 10 oclock on the 10th day of the 10th month of 2010. The aeroplane was cancelled and the pics tell the story of the type of weather we can expect if the planet continues with “business as usual” Here is a link to a You Tube video made on the day “the times they are a changing”
350 is the most important number in the world—it’s what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Three years ago, after leading climatologists observed rapid ice melt in the Arctic and other frightening signs of climate change, they issued a series of studies showing that the planet faced both human and natural disaster if atmospheric concentrations of CO2remained above 350 parts per million. Everyone from Al Gore to the U.N.’s top climate scientist has now embraced this goal as necessary for stabilizing the planet and preventing complete disaster. Now the trick is getting our leaders to pay attention and craft policies that will put the world on track to get to 350.
Earth Hour is another family event when my son and my grand children gather each year at our place of business, Byron Central Apartments and Red Rose Realty to turn off the power. Turning off the switch to 27 holiday units and 6 shops can be quite daunting even if it is only for an hour. As I stood in the electrical room I was conscious of how heavily we rely on this form of energy. The power it holds over our lives needs to be reduced. I made a decision to move my family towards renewable energy as quickly as possible.
I have been slow to recognise the value of the internet in staying ahead of the events that have affected our planet but two organisations have been pivitol in spreading the word at lightening speed. Avaaz.org and GetUp have been a great source of information to me. GetUp organised the rallys in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to bring thousands out into the streets to support a Carbon Tax. I travelled to Sydney and Brisbane with my signs to make a stand against the “fossil fuel giants” who continue to bleed our land and our pockets. I felt insignificant, just one extra person but once I stood with so many people it gave me hope that maybe mankind can reach up beyond our every day mundane existance to achieve a higher goal. Surely reducing our reliance on fossil fuels should be our highest priority.
