What an incredible week! Most days, we work very hard to get climate change into the headlines. After this weekend, we barely know where to start.
Trying to sweep climate change under the rug at this G20 was a big mistake. They underestimated the determination for real action.
In the lead up to the G20, across our sunburnt country, our collaborative campaign trended high on social media, and ACF supporters and Climate Reality Leaders hosted 120 events from Cairns to Swansea, and Canning Vale to Wollongong.
The momentum started with a deal between the US and China to cut pollution. Then, the new commitments and statements of action continued. Japan, Turkey, the UK, the EU, and yesterday, even Canada, publicly committed to increase action to cut pollution and support clean energy.
And it wasn’t just our major trading partners speaking out. Across Australia thousands of people demonstrated that no matter what our government said, climate change is on our agenda.
These wins highlight one thing. The government and big polluters can no longer hide from their responsibility to do their fair share on climate change. This weekend, Australia’s backwards steps stood in stark contrast to the large strides progressive major economies are taking.
There’s still work to be done. Our government is still stuck in the fossil fuel past when the rest of the world is racing towards towards a clean energy future. Our Renewable Energy Target is under attack, and billions of your hard-earned tax dollars continue to be handed out as subsidies for pollution every year.
But for now, I want to thank you deeply for all your efforts to show world leaders, our own leaders, and other Australians that climate change is on your agenda.
Thanks,
Victoria
Victoria McKenzie-McHarg
Climate change campaign manager
Australian Conservation Foundation