First ever Climate Week Queensland gets underway

Queensland is gearing-up for its first ever Climate Week, and World Environment Day celebrations, with more than 30 events to be held across the state starting from today.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said Queensland is this week hosting sub-national governments from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region as part of Queensland’s inaugural Climate Week.

“Science is showing that we need to take urgent action on climate change and this week is a great opportunity to put this issue at the forefront as we recognize World Environment Day, so we can work together towards a sustainable future,” Ms Enoch said.

“It is anticipated that thousands of people will be involved in environmental events across the state, including and North Queensland Conservation Council’s Outdoor Climate Concert in Townsville, Bats and Trees Society of Cairns Inc’s Eco-Fiesta in Cairns, Capricorn Catchments’ Community Breakfast for Climate in Yeppoon, Gladstone Regional Council’s Ecofest, which is Central Queensland’s largest free environmental event, and Mount Isa Landcare Group’s tree planting at Lake Moondarra.

“In Brisbane for Climate Week, there will also be an inaugural First Nations Climate Summit, Brisbane’s biggest free bi-annual community and sustainability festival - Green Heart Fair run by Brisbane City Council, and Climate Reality Leadership Training that will be led by former US Vice President Al Gore.

“The training has attracted more than 500 people from interstate and overseas, which is great news for our local economy.”

Parts of Brisbane will also be turning orange from today for Climate Week.

“Many of Brisbane’s landmark buildings, bridges and attractions will glow orange, a colour that features in Queensland’s landscape from the dessert to coral on the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Enoch said.

“During the week, Queensland will hold a series of meetings with government, agricultural organisations, business and community representatives from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region to talk about tackling climate change.

“We will host a First Nations Climate Summit – the first of its kind in Australia – to learn from Traditional Owners and ensure their perspectives on climate action are heard and brought into decision making.”

From Tuesday night a climate-change themed Digital Garden will be on display at QUT’s Science and Engineering Hub “The Cube”.

“This art, which will be on display each evening from 4-7 June from 4pm-7pm, highlights the importance of our natural assets and our responsibility to safeguard their future by addressing climate change.”

Artist Man Cheung said the aim of Digital Garden is to provide a calm space where people can slow down and immerse themselves in nature.

“The Garden invites visitors to explore and learn about the plants on display and to inspire a profound sense of awareness and realisation as to how nature sustains our existence,” Man Cheung said.

Minister Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to tackling climate change and had set bold, science-based targets of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030 and zero net emissions by 2050.

“Climate change is a complex issue but if we work together and combine our efforts, Queensland, our economy and our environment can thrive.

“Business and industry are already reflecting this commitment to a low emissions economy,” Ms Enoch said.

Dr Matthew Bell, Ernst & Young Asia Pacific and Oceania Leader of Climate Change and Sustainability Services, said that global markets were already shifting capital from emissions and energy intensive industries to clean technologies.

“The economic decarbonisation is global, without precedent, and has already begun,” Dr Bell said.

For more information on Climate Week QLD, go to climateweekqld.com 

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