January 2021. President Biden takes the US back into the Paris Agreement. Then he signs executive orders to pause oil and gas leases. Then he announces a Leaders’ Climate Summit to take place on Earth Day, April 22, 2021. Climate action, at last.
Meanwhile, in Australia, we are still hearing statements like ‘gas-lead recovery’. Moreover, neither of the two major parties acknowledge we are in a climate crisis. Politics schmolotics. But there is some good news from Canberra. Zali Steggall’s Climate Change Bill is inching forward.
The Climate Change Bill represents a significant step on the long road to breaking the political stalemate around taking action on Climate Change. Over 6500 people and businesses made submissions to the enquiry, and the hearing begins on Friday, 29 January 2021.
The impacts of Climate Change represent the greatest threat to our national security, our economy, our health and our environment. But if we implement an effective plan now, we can create a safe and prosperous future for ourselves and our children.
Zali Steggall, OAM MP
Friday’s session included Professor Lesley Hughes of the Climate Council of Australia and Dr John Van Der Callen, from the National Chair of Doctors for the Environment. Monday’s session will hear from the Law Council of Australia, and the ACTU. We are proud to see fellow BZE organisation, Wingecarribee Net Zero Emissions (Winzero), making a stand.
Listen in here, read more about the bill here, and sign up to Climate Act Now for updates on this important national movement.