Climate change awareness not rocket science

Photo by Wendy Miller

From Deloraine and all points beyond – local concern for a global problem. Front row, from left: Helen Hutchinson, Deb Lynch and Deb Hunter. Back row, from left, Stuart Brown, Laurie Goldsworthy and Neil Smith.

By Sharon Webb

SINCE AUGUST last year Helen Hutchinson has been a bee in the ears of Meander Valley councillors. Not only does she habitually stand on a Deloraine street corner waving a Climate Emergency placard but time and again at monthly meetings she has asked the council questions in public question time. In November 2019: ‘Will Meander Valley Council act on the items in the Darebin Climate Emergency Plan to protect the residents of Meander Valley by producing a similar action plan and make this available on the web pages?’ In January this year: ‘In view of the extreme and life-threatening bushfires already taking hold on the Australian mainland, will the council request state and federal governments to provide extra bushfire and flood prevention infrastructure?’ In February: ‘Does the council consider a climate emergency plan part of its remit to protect residents from predictable threats?’ And after the council’s March rejection of a climate emergency motion: ‘What problems would developing a climate emergency plan present for the council?’ Confronted with councillors’ blank looks, puzzled looks and even ‘mad woman’ looks, the Western Creek woman has persisted, rewarded ultimately in March with a successful motion declaring Meander Valley Council’s recognition that climate change is indeed a thing. Now she says, ‘It’s a start – but a very mild start. ‘They haven’t set themselves targets or talked about decreasing emissions, except to say we need to do it. ‘Most scientists know we need to do it now. Every day emissions go up, it’s just going to make it harder for us.’ Climate change awareness not rocket science Speaking to Helen, it’s obvious that if Meander Valley councillors now believe that with this new policy they can relax into their comfy seats because they’ve got the bee out of the way, they can think again. ‘The council has said they will apply this policy to all their practices but they haven’t actually said they will create a plan,’ she said. ‘They’ve made motherhood statements about ‘co-ordinating action’ and ‘working with government at all levels’ but there’s no mention anywhere that they need a plan to do that.’ According to Helen, a definite plan is the council’s next necessary step. Other actions Meander Valley Council could take include public education, reducing its own emissions, creating a food waste venue for residents without compost heaps, creating better pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and establishing more electric vehicle charging stations. Helen points out that residents expect much more of local government these days. ‘Councils need to think ahead. The coronavirus has caused great disruption – but so will global warming. ‘Councillors must use their imaginations to consider how they can help protect people against intense storms, heat and high rainfall events.’ Helen, who is pleased with the council response so far, thanks Cllrs John Temple and Rodney Synfield for supporting her efforts. ‘John Temple obviously understands the problem and how serious it is,’ she said. ‘I’ve had emails from a couple of other interested councillors, asking me to come and see them.’ Helen is studying a U3A course on the history of climate change in film, is a member of the Greens and sees herself as a prompter for action on climate change. ‘I was holding my placard on a Launceston street recently and a man said, ‘Good on you,’ she said. ‘I told him, “It’s not rocket science to hold a sign – you could do it”.’