Pacific Climate Warriors share stories in Central Queensland

Tuesday, April 2, 2019: Pacific Climate Warriors from Papua New Guinea and the Kiribati, Samoa, Tokelau and Fiji diaspora in Australia, will start a tour through Brisbane and Rockhampton tomorrow, sharing stories from the frontlines of climate change.

The Breaking Ground tour will travel through key electorates in Queensland in the lead up to the federal election, sharing stories that will drive home why Australia’s leaders need to commit to climate action.

“Through culture and the arts we will share the lived realities of climate change along with stories from the frontlines of climate action. As the sea levels rise, so will we” said Pacific Climate Warrior and 350 Australia organiser Lisa Viliamu Jameson.

“The Breaking Ground tour will drive home how important it is that we all step up and become climate defenders – and make protecting precious water, stopping the Adani mine, and voting to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees the central issue of the upcoming federal election.

“At these Frontline Truths events, audiences can expect to hear stories from Papua New Guinea and the Pacific diaspora of Kiribati, Tokelau, Fiji, Samoa; see traditional dance from the local community; spoken word performances; weaving circles; and a Pasifika pop-up art exhibition.”

350 Australia CEO Glen Klatovsky points out that climate change is already negatively affecting Australia and our Pacific neighbours.

“Here in Australia we have just experienced the hottest summer on record. And in the Pacific Islands, surging storm fronts and sea level rise have even forced some states to plan the relocation of their entire population within a few decades,” said Klatovsky.

“And yet, the Australian federal government acts as a powerful advocate for the coal industry, ignoring the existential threat to our Pacific neighbours. We are a ‘carbon bomb’ country and the world’s biggest exporters of coal and LNG – and our government wants to open up the Galilee Basin, one of the world’s largest untapped coal reserves, despite years of calls to stop Adani.”

For interviews:
Lisa Viliamu Jameson, Pacific Climate Warrior and 350 Australia organiser, on 0478 165 546

Event details:
BRISBANE
April 3rd, 6.30pm
District Studios
RSVP: http://bit.ly/2u64iLz

ROCKHAMPTON
April 6th, 6.00pm
Walter Reid Cultural Centre
RSVP: http://bit.ly/2UGgn69

Photo details:
Photo credit: House of Iliganoa
Model: Shana Afu