The Climate Crisis Summit will bring together First Nations and Pacific leaders, youth, scientists, emergency workers, unions, farmers, parents, business leaders, and climate advocates from across the country.
In less than a week, the government has:
- Approved Woodside's massive North West Shelf gas project - the biggest new fossil fuel project in the country.
- Released the National Climate Risk Assessment, warning of worsening fires, floods, food insecurity, collapsing ecosystems, and skyrocketing disaster and insurance costs.
- Announced a 2035 emissions target so weak it locks in more destruction.
Quotes attributable to Director of Common Threads, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts:
"Green-lighting decades more fossil fuel pollution is an act of harm against our communities.
"The Albanese government has shown it is captured by fossil fuel lobbyists, willing to put our lives, our culture, and our Country in danger.
"First Nations people are leading resistance against destructive fossil fuels. We are fighting for a future where all our communities are safe and thriving. We are the solution and it's time for governments to follow our lead."
Quotes attributable to Fossil Free Pacific spokesperson, Joseph Sikulu:
"For decades we have driven the ambition that is needed in this climate crisis. Today we draw the line on 1.5 and we stand here firm to protect that legacy.
"We can no longer rely on the empty promises continually made by governments. Our faith and our hope is in our communities. This summit will show you that our people, our allies, and our movement, spread across the entirety of the region will not sit idly.
"We will fight back."
Quotes attributable to Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer of The Australia Institute:
"The climate is entering a time of crisis.
"Extreme weather events such as floods, fires and droughts are increasing. Insurance is becoming unaffordable, or even unavailable for many Australians. As a result, homes will become unmortgageable.
"We also live in a democracy, with the most progressive parliament many of us have seen in our lifetime. This is a massive opportunity which we can not afford to waste.
"The Albanese Labor Government, if it chooses, can make world-leading policy decisions that match the magnitude of the threat from climate change."
The Climate Crisis Summit will be held at Old Parliament House on Monday 27 October, followed by a press conference in Parliament the next morning to announce outcomes and a collective call to action, including the demand to phase out fossil fuels.
