Zali Steggall: E-petition calling for Government to declare Climate Change Emergency
Warringah MP Zali Steggall has warned the Government to take heed of an e-petition calling for it to declare a Climate Change Emergency.
Manly
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Warringah Federal MP Zali Steggall will present an e-petition — signed by a record number of more than 400,000 supporters — calling for the Government to declare a Climate Change Emergency.
She will present the petition to the House of Representatives this afternoon.
The new independent member who fought the election on the issue of climate change said the petition of 404,538 signatures was a record number and showed that people wanted to see the Government take the issue seriously.
The petition written by Noah Bell, 23, is also supported by a number of crossbench MPs including Greens Party member Adam Bandt, independent Dr Helen Haines, Centre Alliance member Rebekha Sharkie and independent Andrew Wilkie.
Ms Steggall told the Manly Daily that it was Mr Bell was speaking for young people in Australia.
“This is a sign of the next generation of voters who want real climate change action,” she said.
“Noah Bell is 23 years old and he’s speaking for young people around the country.
“It’s the largest e-petition response in the history of the House of Representatives and there’s no doubt there will be more.
“It’s time the Government acknowledges that.”
At a press conference this morning in Canberra Ms Steggall added that the Government should beware there are a lot of frustrated young voters wanting action.
She said Mr Bell was “the future of Australia” and he like many other youths were “engaged and aware” and accept the science.
“They are frustrated with our current lack of action,” she said.
“I can only say to the current Government and all the people who are denying that we need to take action, beware because there are a lot of voters who want us to take action.”
The petition states that the overwhelming majority of climate scientists around the world have concluded that the climate is changing at unprecedented rates due to man-made causes.
It says the result of these changes will be catastrophic for future generations and that the Government must act now to minimise both human and environmental destruction.
Ms Zali Steggall will present the petition to the House of Representatives at 1.30pm.
Many local authorities have already declared a Climate Change Emergency, including Northern Beaches Council which did so last month.
IN OTHER NEWS:
It follows Ms Steggall’s announcement last week that she intends to put forward a comprehensive Climate Change Bill in early 2020.
Modelled on the United Kingdom’s Climate Change Act, the legislation will set up a
framework for Australia to achieve the long term goal of reducing greenhouse emissions
and adapting to global warming across sectors including health, transport, agriculture and
energy.
“We need to set out a road map for Australia to become a low carbon economy without all
the fear mongering and misinformation,” Ms Steggall said.
“The big question all sensible Australians are asking is how? This is why we need a Climate Change Act to set out a legislative framework.”