The issue of climate change was front and centre during motorists' morning commute along the Oxley Highway into Port Macquarie on Wednesday, August 28.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bonny Hills couple Jake Wadsworth and Rachel Sheppard are taking the message to motorists along busy roads on Wednesday mornings as they promote the September 20 Global Climate Strike and the need for action on climate change.
"We are trying to engage the local community on the issue," Mr Wadsworth said.
Ms Sheppard added for them, it was not about focusing on how awful things could be.
She said the solutions existed and it was about having the political will as well as people on the ground willing to push politicians to make hard decisions.
Mr Wadsworth, a former Navy helicopter pilot, spoke about climate change during the public forum session at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's August meeting.
His ultimate goal is for councillors to be informed on the issue so they can in turn make informed decisions as community leaders.
"It's really important that leaders have information available to make the right decisions at the right time," he said.
Mr Wadsworth told the council meeting that he expected to be one of many people who would bring the issue of climate change to council in the following months.
"When others bring this issue to you, I want your opinions and responses to be informed by reputable resources," he said.
"Mostly, I want you to consider what the subject matter experts have to tell us about what we can expect into the future on our climate change trajectory and what solutions already exist."
Mr Wadsworth urged the councillors to consider the evidence-based solutions outlined in climate change think tank Beyond Zero Emissions and climate solutions resource Project Drawdown.
Mr Wadsworth will be invited as a guest to attend a meeting of the council's Sustainability Working Group
Councils across Australia are increasingly taking action on climate change from declaring a climate emergency to implementing policies and making climate pledges.
Mr Wadsworth said if Port Macquarie-Hastings Council declared a climate emergency that would help mobilise resources to act accordingly.
He said regardless of whether or not the council decided to declare a climate emergency, bold leadership and significant educational and community engagement resources would be necessary.
The council has a Long Term Energy Strategy under which it aims to source 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2027.