Now! Climate Emergency Declaration Day

Sing for the Climate Belgium

We are in a world-wide climate emergency and we are running out of time to act. What we need is more than hope, we need courage. It's time to move into emergency mode, time to work together to do what is needed. It is time to rebel.

So says extinction rebellion, a burgeoning world-wide movement of ordinary people utilizing nonviolent resistance to avert total climate breakdown.

Click image for greater clarity

It was extinction rebellion that posted the Belgium anthem (above) on Fb. They were also the organisers of today's event - Declaration Day - in Melbourne's beautiful but steamy Treasury Gardens.

Click image for greater clarity

extinction rebellion Australia was aiming very high today. The target was no less than the Federal Government: We call on the Australian Government to declare a climate emergency and initiate a transition to zero emissions and beyond at a scale and speed never before seen in peacetime.

To date extension rebellion's demand had been primarily directed at City Councils, an unexpedtedly large number of whom have been receptive. At last count, 392 councils covering 34 million citizens worldwide have signed the declaration that they are now in a state of climate emergency.

The countries involved are Canada, the UK, Switzerland, the USA and Australia. Here at home there are 18 engaged councils across NSW, SA, WA and Vic, where I am delighted to say that 'my' council of Yarra, together with neighbouring Moreland and Darebin, are signatories. And my old home town, Bath UK, is the latest council to embrace the previously taboo 'E word' as an appropriate description of their plight.

Click image for greater clarity

Jane Morton (above), Convenor of Darebin Climate Action Now, explained to me today that the shift to the use of the weighty word 'Emergency' is a game-changer. This change started in Australia in 2016 when it was no longer possible to deny that our beloved Reef is dying.

Now it's time to convince the politicians at the top of what ordinary people have known for 3 years. Our time has come. Undoubtedly that was why today's protestors so enjoyed singing rounds of 'This is what democracy looks like':

Click image for greater clarity

It felt particularly apt to be standing on beautiful grass for such an inspiring grass roots event. Like others, I'm sure, I left the rally elated.

Click image for greater clarity

It was only on the way home on the tram that I realised there was an additional reason for my elation.

Jane Morton is a peer of mine. We live in the same area. Our children even went to the same primary school. Jane is a very modest person. Unless I had asked her directly I'm sure she wouldn't have acknowledged her pivotal role in this amazingly successful, world changing initiative.

Jane  is convenor of the tiny Darebin Climate Action Now team. Due to the team's efforts Darebin was the first city council in the world to declare that their district was in a climate emergency. Jane, an ordinary person like me, is making an extraordinary contribution. I nearly missed my tram stop as I pondered this and Margaret Mead's famous saying: 'Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.' 

Do visit www.rebellion.earth. Or sign up for the Australian branch of extinction rebellion at ausrebellion.earth 

Click image for greater clarity