JourneyOnline
Sue Hutchinson encourages Australian’s to flick the switch this Saturday evening for Earth Hour.
Australia has some of the world’s most iconic and breathtaking natural landscapes and wildlife. Just like so many of the natural wonders of our world, we’re facing massive threats to our biodiversity due to climate change.
On 24 March, millions of people in over 180 countries around the world will switch off their lights at 8:30 pm as a symbolic gesture to show the need for stronger climate action.
Held annually, Earth Hour started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia after the World Wildlife Foundation Australia identified the need to discuss ideas for engaging Australians on climate change.
From its first public statement in 1977, the Uniting Church in Australia has expressed an abiding concern with the wellbeing of the planet for the rights of future generations. In 2006 the church adopted the statement “For the sake of the Planet and all its People”. All parts of the Uniting Church are called on to model ways of living and working that minimise the production of greenhouse gas emissions; to seriously and regularly include matters of environment and lifestyle change in prayer and worship, study, and communal decision-making; to advocate for climate friendly government policy; and to engage in dialogues, shared learning and action with non-government environment action groups.
Earth Hour is a wonderful opportunity to become engaged in advocating for climate change. By switching off you will amplify the national conversation about climate change.
There are Earth Hour activities happening across Queensland from Cooktown to Springfield.
To find out more, visit the below links. Our actions today can change our tomorrow.
Earth Hour, #connect2Earth and Earth Hour events in Queensland
Uniting Justice Australia ‘For the Sake of the Planet and all its People’ resolution
#Connect2Earth
Sue Hutchinson is the Research and Policy Officer with the Uniting Church in Queensland.
