| Report by Alison Heathcote who organised the events at Umina and Terrigal. Central Coast people of all ages turned out in force yesterday, 24 October 2009, to form a human sign depicting 3 5 0 at Umina Beach and on The Skillion at Terrigal Haven. They participated in the 350.org Global Day of Climate action happening at 5200 events in 181 countries. Worldwide photos are available at Flickr - search for Terrigal and/or Umina for all local Central Coast photographs. Why 350? 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide — measured in "Parts Per Million" - in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. Mayor of Gosford, Chris Holstein (who attended both Umina Beach and Terrigal Haven events) said, “These are important events to increase awareness in the Central Coast community of the problems and effects of dangerous climate change.” The co-founder of 350.org, Bill McKibben, sent the following message to all organisers on the day: Friends, I can hardly believe my eyes. 16 hours ago, citizens in New Zealand gathered before dawn next to a wind turbine on a mountaintop. As local elders said prayers to bless the global event, banners and signs were held high to to greet the planet's first rays of sunlight on this most incredible of days. As the sun continues across the planet we've been receiving photos and video of rallies in Ethiopia, bike rides in Wellington, SCUBA divers in Australia, organizers planting 350 trees in Thailand, hundreds of students marching in India and Nepal and Mongolia. And we're getting reports from 350.org offices around the world that the phones are ringing off the hook with calls from the media who want to cover the story. The day is just beginning and already it's larger, more powerful, and so much more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. I've been a writer my entire life and yet words truly cannot describe what you have accomplished already. To truly grasp today, please stay tuned to our website www.350.org as more and more photos come in from across the planet, and especially our evolving Flickr photo slideshow. And the best news of all? The day has just begun! Bill McKibben Alan Hayes from The Australian Coal Alliance which is demanding “Water not Coal” for the Wyong Valleys declared, “This event has united like-minded concerned citizens for a common cause – climate action.” Alison Heathcote, President of Permaculture Central Coast said, “The message to world leaders is clear. We, the good citizens of the world, want fair, unambiguous, positive action to mitigate dangerous climate change”. Thanks mainly to the enthusiasm and inspiration of Luke Costelloe, Fletcher Charlton and friends from the band “Dali’s Angels” the youth of the Central Coast actively participated in the human sign and enjoyed bike rides around the oval on Electric Bikes supplied by Dr Ian Charlton and other electric bikers. Luke said, “This is a great opportunity for our generation to realise that they can do something to make their voices heard across the world” Louise DuVernet organised a 350 rainbow-coloured quilt which was displayed on the day. Thank you Louise and your quilting friends from Newcastle Quilters. A 3.50 feet square 3 5 0 primed canvas was signed by all participants at The Skillion and will be used for future 350.org events. Peter Meloy, of the Greens Party was at the Terrigal event. The Greens main message is that Clean Coal is not viable. A fact supported by ex-coal miner, Graham Brown. Australia should be embracing renewable energy as a source of power as has happened successfully in Germany. Photographer, Peter Adderley, took the aerial photo at Terrigal at precisely 3.50pm from an ultralight aircraft piloted by Warwick Keato and supplied by his wife, Sheree. The Umina and Terrigal Climate action events were proudly sponsored and supported by Permaculture Central Coast (PCC), Community Environment Network (CEN), the Central Coast branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Peninsula Environment Group and Climate Action Group Central Coast (CAGCC). One participant in the Terrigal event, Maree Beveridge, writes: “Thank you! Fabulous day, wonderful atmosphere, hopefully a good result in that the folks who make the decisions will take notice”. Thank you, from the organisers, to all those who helped and participated at the Umina Beach and Terrigal events. Thank you for a great day of Climate Action. Together we will win this battle to mitigate dangerous climate change. For further information about how you can make a difference to make this world a better place for everyone to live contact Alison Heathcote at permaculturecc@yahoo.com.au P.S.Another Central Coast 350 action has appeared on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/4039571086/. Does anyone know who did it because it is beautiful? |