As part of the 350.org.au week of climate action, Pacific Climate Warriors around Australia called on the Morrison Government to Fund our Future NOT Gas.
The science is clear. Our climate breakdown is directly affected by the burning of fossil fuels like gas, oil, and coal. At a time when we face the triple threat of COVID-19, the climate, and economic crisis, now more than ever, we need to move our systems to ones that are sustainable and just for our people. We need a Just Recovery.
During the Leaders Climate Summit, Prime Minister Scott Morrison sung the praises of his Government and the fossil fuel industry. After further consultations with communities around Australia, it’s clear that the majority of Australians don’t want public money handed to oil and gas companies who will damage the land, water, and climate.
These dangerous projects also have many implications for the future of the Pacific.
So during the Fund Our Future, Not Gas week of climate action, members of our Pacific Climate Warriors in Victoria and 350 West Melbourne groups created a chalk mural on the pavement outside Richard Marle’s office, depicting climate change impacts. They delivered the results of the community consultation – stating that the majority of Corio constituents want to see funding for renewable energy and climate solutions, not new gas projects. The submissions, some in writing, were also woven together into a vision board by the Mata’ala Weaving community, a vision for the future we want to protect, not the devastating expansion of the gas industry.
We also wanted to show solidarity and share our message from the islands. Targeting the Minister for the Pacific, Zed Seselja, we called on him to work in the best interest of the Pacific people and demand that his Government takes more ambitious steps to combat the climate crisis.
As a part of the #FundOurFutureNotGas week of action, we are calling on @ZedSeselja to work in the best interest of the Pacific people and demand his government take more ambitious steps to combat the climate crisis and the just recovery we all need. pic.twitter.com/5ZyKRxwrC2
— 350 Pacific (@350Pacific) May 3, 2021
On the final day of the week of action, Pacific Climate Warriors in Sydney delivered 100 postcards, 100 Pacific voices to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, calling on him to honor Australia’s commitment to the Paris agreement and show greater leadership and ambition for climate action.
Our message was clear, Scott Morrison should NOT be pouring billions of taxpayer dollars into the wealthy oil and gas companies at a time when we should be focusing on addressing the climate crisis and a Just Recovery from COVID-19.
Frontline communities are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, yet we are resilient and will continue to pressure those in power to join us so we can work towards a future that protects all.
In Solidarity from the Pacific!
