A LOCAL green army will march on the Tamworth office of New England MP Barnaby Joyce this week to demand more action on climate change from the federal government.
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The protest, to be held on Friday, comes after about 100 passionate locals held a rally at Bicentennial Park last weekend to coincide with World Climate Action Day.
The group is calling on the government to reintroduce the Renewable Energy Target, a scheme introduced by the previous federal government mandating at least 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply comes from renewable sources by 2020.
Sunday’s rally heard from a range of speakers, including Rob Taber from New England Solar, Emma Stilts from the Manilla Solar Company and environmental activists Phil Spark, Noretta Terry and Robin Gunning.
Dr Gunning, who co-organised the event, said the abolition of the Renewable Energy Target threatened both livelihoods and the environment.
“We want the government to get serious about climate change,” Dr Gunning said.
“The Renewable Energy Target is the only real mechanism we have to manage carbon pollution from the fossil fuel power industry. The target underpins
an entire industry (the renewables sector) and 20,000 jobs.
“This sector will just crash without the target.”
A recycling competition was also held as part of Sunday’s rally, with students from Carroll Public School presenting some fascinating creations from repurposed items.
Friday’s Rally for Renewables outside Mr Joyce’s Peel St office will start at midday.
