Al's Angels - THE CLIMATE PROJECT
In November [2006] I attended The Climate Project in
Sydney that was led by Al Gore.
It was an energising and inspiring experience because of the high
calibre of people involved and the realisation that the
environment is now part of the wider Australian public's
consciousness. Al Gore and his film have already made a
difference. Most people have accepted the scientific evidence
showing that humanity has changed the composition of our
atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels;and that the
increasing levels of carbon dioxide are causing earths
temperature to rise - especially at the poles.
The consequences for Australians and our environment are clear. Climate change is causing increasing intensity and frequency of storms, cyclones and fires. As the temperatures rise the oceans are warming, ice caps are melting and sea levels are rising. Sea level rise will be particularly challenging for coastal communities who are most at risk from sea level rise and storm events.
Photo: Al Gore with Volunteers
We cannot afford to further ignore the consequences of climate change. We must move from denial into action, rather than despair. So what can we do? For starters changing your light globes and replacing them with more energy efficient bulbs, turning air conditioner thermostats up a few degrees (body temperatures naturally adjust) and switching off all appliances at the power point when not using them are just a few small steps we can all take to reduce our energy consumption. Beyond these steps we need to reflect on our own patterns of consumption and then make some changes to consume less energy, such as walking and riding rather than driving the car and buying local produce. What do you really need? What can you do without?
Consider living a carbon neutral lifestyle. If you own a business consider going carbon neutral. Go to the following website: www.climatecrisis.com to calculate your carbon footprint and learn how you can become carbon neutral at home and at work.
Talk to your community leaders and/or write to them and express how concerned you are about global warming. Tell them you would like them to seriously tackle climate change. Also find out what policies each of the major political parties have on the climate change and vote accordingly at the next federal election.
Meeting Al Gore was great. He struck me as someone who is sincere and totally committed to the climate change campaign. In fact I found out that he has been beating the drum about climate change since the 1970's. When Al spent 11 hours on Sunday 19th November communicating his knowledge and insights we were all totally impressed. The visual images and stories he shares are very powerful and if you have not already seen it, I urge you to see his film or read his book, "An Inconvenient Truth".
The 85 volunteers who attended The Climate Project training
(including Cate Blanchett, Merrick and Rosso and lead singer of
The Cat Empire) have all promised to deliver the presentation 10
times. The presentations we deliver will include Australian
examples and my presentation includes a sense of our place in the
world with God as our creator. It is now up to all of us to find
a carbon neutral way forward for ourselves, our children and our
planet and I invite you to make contact with climate change
messengers like me to give presentations at your parish, school
or workplace.
Jacqui Remond
