NCOSS Throws Support Behind Climate Strike and Urges Action on Climate Emergency
Thursday, 5 September 2019
The peak body for health and community services in NSW, NCOSS is urging the community to support this month’s School Strike 4 Climate.
The Climate Strike, to be held in the Sydney CBD on September 20, is part of a worldwide event with millions of people expected to strike in more than 150 countries.
The strike is timed for three days prior to the UN Climate Summit being held in New York, which aims to accelerate actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“We know that people in poverty will be significantly impacted by the climate emergency and we are urging our political leaders to take greater action,” NCOSS CEO, Joanna Quilty said.
“The immediate and longer-term impacts on people throughout NSW are real and have a big impact on our health, safety and prosperity.
“We cannot go on in a business-as-usual way and this strike is designed to jolt our political leaders into really listening to the community and acting on the overwhelming evidence.
“NCOSS supports those planning to strike and urges the NSW community to support greater action on tackling the climate emergency.”
The School Strike 4 Climate movement, started by teenager Greta Thunberg, has spread rapidly across the world over the past twelve months, including a strike in March this year that attracted 1.4 million people across the world.
This time around, school students are asking that everyone join in, and the community sector has a role to play in advocating for change.
“A new approach is required which focuses on a response centred around human rights, equity and justice. It is essential that NSW and the community sector is part of this movement,” Ms Quilty said.
“Rising sea levels, extreme weather events and prolonged drought force millions of people to lose or move away from their homes every year in search of food, water, shelter or jobs.
“We need people power to unite and grow the huge wave of action all over the world, to help our most vulnerable and protect our planet.
“Time is running out, we need to act now.”
For more information, go to www.schoolstrike4climate.com
Media contact: Nick Trainor 0407 078 138