Summit Builds Queensland Climate Movement
The Queensland Climate Movement Summit was a community convergence hosted by Six Degrees on the 25th October, 2008.
The impetus for the Summit came from a series of conversations between people from a range of organisations concerned about climate change, and also about the implications of climate change for peace, justice and sustainability.
We were aware of what could be described as a growing international climate action movement, of literally hundreds of thousands of individuals and organisations, with an incredibly wide range of concerns and perspectives. We were also aware that in Brisbane and right across Queensland, there were passionate and committed individuals affected and concerned about climate change issues, but who work in relative isolation from others who share their concerns.
The Summit was conceived, in the initial phases, as a communication forum, to allow these varied groups and individuals to connect with each other and begin a dialogue for taking meaningful collective action on climate change. It would also serve as a preparatory session for the National Climate Action Summit, to be held from January 31st to February 3rd, 2009.
Invitations were sent out, with activists, thinkers and citizens from across Queensland invited to meet to discuss ideas, issues, opportunities, campaigns and strategies in response to the impacts of climate change. The overall aim was to encourage discussion and co-operation between groups and individuals who are working on or interested in working on climate change in order to strengthen and build a movement for change across the state. But we also hoped that through those discussions, we would be able to provide:
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an opportunity for information sharing about key issues and campaigns
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an opportunity to develop ‘cross movement’ strategies
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an opportunity to debate tactics, strategies and politics
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an opportunity to discuss visions and alternative energy futures
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an opportunity for people who are new to the movement to gain an understanding of who is doing what, how, and why.
Sixty people from Queensland and across the country converged upon a small community hall at a local primary school, and participated in an open and self-organised forum space; which resulted in more than 26 workshops, conversations, discussions and skill-shares.
Towards a National Climate Summit
The Queensland Summit was part of the preparation for the National Climate Summit.
In February, community climate action groups from across the continent and other concerned Australians are joining together for Australia’s Climate Action Summit in Canberra, the weekend before the first day of the 2009 Federal Parliament: 31st January – 2nd February 2009.
At the Summit, ordinary Australians will send a powerful message to the Rudd Government on the eve of its second year that sets the agenda for urgent climate action in 2009.
Australia’s Climate Action Summit will be two days of facilitated meetings and workshops. There will be an open public program for anyone to join, and a restricted program for people from climate change groups, who will create a strategic national climate campaign and form a national grassroots network.
The weekend will be followed on the Monday by one day of dynamic training in climate campaigning skills for taking action, facilitating climate action groups, effective lobbying and more.
On Tuesday 3rd February, the first day of the 2009 Federal Parliament, we will hold a peaceful, community action of thousands of ordinary Australians demanding immediate political action for a safe climate. On the same day, the grassroots climate network will launch our national campaign at Parliament House.
What’s with all the Summits?
Last year, Kevin Rudd was elected to government in the world’s first climate change election. One year on, we are still waiting for the urgent action needed to peak our greenhouse gas emissions and begin this urgent transition to renewable energy.
In December 2009, Kevin Rudd will meet with world leaders in Copenhagen, to set the framework and benchmarks for future global action on climate change. We need to ensure the Australian Government goes to Copenhagen with the strongest commitment to reducing greenhouse pollution and averting runaway climate change.
We need to send a strong message as a community that we support deep emissions cuts, strong policy and government action, and for Australia to demonstrate leadership in the global effort to prevent runaway climate change.