September 8, 2018

#RiseForClimate protests begin with tall ship in Sydney Harbour & rally targeting Prime Minister

SYDNEY, Saturday, September 8, 2018: Today Australia leads a wave of global protests as thousands of people at more than 850 events in 95 countries around the world stand up to demand leadership on climate from their governments under the banner #RiseForClimate.

In Sydney the tall ship Southern Swan began the day sailing through Sydney Harbour with the message “Rise For Climate Action With 350.org” on its square rigged sails. Across Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback, from Byron Bay to Perth, and Darwin to Hobart, more than 40 events are being held today held in state capitals, regional and rural towns, organised by local communities demanding real action on climate change. It follows similar events held on 10 Australian university campuses yesterday.

An alliance of Australia’s biggest environment and social justice groups, including 350.org, Get Up!, Greenpeace, Solar Citizens, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, the Climate Action Network, Stop Adani, The Nature Conservation Council, Tipping Point and more also using the day to target new Prime Minister Scott Morrison, with a rally in his electorate. Mr Morrison announced in the media today that he would reject the NEG and move to dump Paris emissions targets.   

“Australia is already feeling the impacts of our changing climate. We are fighting bushfires in winter, suffering a crippling drought, and scientists fear back-to-back of bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef this coming summer,” said Blair Palese, CEO of 350.org Australia.  

“Our country has so much renewable energy potential, yet we export climate change in the form of coal and gas to the rest of the world. Today people around Australia and across the world are rising to demand real leadership,  to drive the transition from fossil fuels to a 100% renewable future that’s fair for everyone.”

“As the Australian Prime Minister today announced he would seek to abandon the Paris Agreement commitments, Australians are rising up in protest for our climate.”

In Australia #RiseForClimate events are being held in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Alice Springs, Cairns, Cooktown, Mackay/Whitsundays, Yeppoon, Broome, Tweed Heads, Lismore, Tenterfield, Coffs Harbour, Scott’s Head, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Bulga, Wollongong, Nowra, Bateman’s Bay,  Frankston, La Trobe, Bendigo, Bundanoon, Wee Jasper, and Albany. See the global map for details www.riseforclimate.org

Images will be posted to http://bit.ly/RiseForClimateAustralia

See the map of global events at www.riseforclimate.org