Be heard on climate

THE Surf Coast Shire Council is inviting community input on their climate change experiences and ideas around impact and action as part of its Climate Emergency response.

The council made a declaration of climate emergency at its August 2019 meeting.

The declaration recognises climate change is a real and significant threat and that more urgent action is needed globally and locally.

“Together, we will be able to better respond to the climate emergency, so please take the time to fill in this survey,” she said.
Katie Rau, a member of Surf Coast Youth 4 Climate, said taking action on the climate emergency was important to protect the things residents love about living on the Surf Coast.

“For many young people on the Surf Coast, our hobbies are based around the outdoors and ocean environment,” she said.

“We are fortunate that most of our natural surroundings remain pristine and untouched, however it’s really concerning to see this starting to change, with a growing population and the effects of a changing climate taking place.”

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and entrants are incentivised by the possibility of winning one of two unique artworks by Wadawurrung artists Billy-Jay O’Toole.

O’Toole has been involved in several murals on the Surf Coast and has been in the news lately for his striking artwork which borders the upgraded tennis court at Indented Head, a national first.

Alongside the survey and a recently held online workshop series called Surf Coast ReimaginED, which encouraged simple living, growing locally and creating change within your community, the Surf Coast has a dedicated online space detailing events and information called Toward Environmental Leadership.

Head to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/scsclimatechange to take the survey and www.environmentalsurfcoast.com.au to learn more.