Media Releases | 22nd Jul, 2010

Walk Against Warming hits the streets for the Federal Election

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Peak environment groups from around the country have announced they will be holding Australia’s biggest day of climate action, Walk Against Warming, nationally on Sunday, 15 August, six days before the federal election.

“Millions of ordinary Australians are already doing their bit to tackle climate change, and they want to see politicians face up to their responsibility to reduce greenhouse pollution. This election the Walk Against Warming will call on politicians to walk with the people, not the big polluters,” said Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO of Environment Victoria, speaking on behalf of the Conservation Councils.

“Voters are sick of all the squabbling, backflips and delays from politicians on climate action. Australian communities are making the changes needed to reduce their impact on the environment, now it’s time for the government and big polluters to take part in reducing carbon pollution,” said Pepe Clarke, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.

In this election, the Walk Against Warming is calling for a firm commitment by all political parties to:

  • Make the big polluters pay by introducing a price on carbon

  • Replace our most polluting power stations with clean energy

  • Create new clean jobs and industries

  • Guarantee to cut pollution over the next term of government

  • Support poor and vulnerable countries to tackle the impacts of climate change

Since 2005, hundreds of thousands of people across the nation have expressed their support for greater government action on climate change by joining the Walk Against Warming. This year, a diverse range of Walk against Warming activities will be held in every capital city and many regional centres across the country.

For more information on the Walk Against Warming activities taking place on Sunday, 15 August see: www.walkagainstwarming.org.au

 

For interview contact

Kelly O’Shanassy, Environment Victoria 0421 054 402

Pepe Clarke, Nature Conservation Council of NSW 0402 325 471

Emma Anglesey, Environment Tasmania, 0419 364 450

Stuart Blanch, Environment Centre NT 0448 887 303

Toby Hutcheon, Queensland Conservation Council, 0419 664 503

Louise Morris, Conservation Council of WA, (08) 9420 7266

Susanna Chung Conservation Council of ACT 0412 389 083

Julie Pettett, Conservation Council of South Australia, 0417 879 439

Media assistance: Louise Matthiesson 0417 017 844