Today, America's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has declared a “global mass bleaching event” for the fourth time in history.
Last week, we also learned the Great Barrier Reef is suffering “the most severe mass bleaching and mortality event ever recorded”.
Meanwhile, polling is also showing more than half the country is now in support of Peter Dutton and the Coalition’s latest climate action delay tactic: false promises on nuclear energy.
Waking up to climate headlines like these can be despairing, but I know our community can transform that despair into determination – and impact at the next Federal election.
In 2022, our movement helped seven new community independents take seats from climate wreckers.This time, we need to redouble our efforts to back more climate champions into parliament.
Because, while people are losing their homes and livelihoods to escalating floods and fires, both the major parties continue to allow new fossil fuel projects.
Despite average daily ocean surface temperatures being the hottest on record for over a year straight, the Liberal Party has given an open climate sceptic, Alex Antic, the first spot on their South Australian Senate ticket.
And, as we wonder whether our children and grandchildren will have the chance to experience natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, the fossil fuel lobby continues to pour millions of dollars into our political system.
Across the country, everyday people are mobilising and getting organised in their communities.
Some of those communities will be working to re-elect their independent parliamentarians, while others are just getting started on the search for their own independent climate-focussed community leader.
In the coming days, we’ll be launching a key plank of our plan for the next Federal election. Keep an eye on your inbox to make sure you’re the first to hear about it.Together, we will continue the urgent work of climate proofing our politics.
Byron FayExecutive Director, Climate 200
