With the impact of climate change being felt more strongly around the world, a community group in Tathra has planned to send a strong message to Australian politicians.
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In 2006, Clean Energy For Eternity (CEFE) formed a human sign of its name on Tathra Beach with 3000 people.
This month, the group’s president and founder Matthew Nott hopes to up the scale with another sign in the town.
“We’re hoping to make the biggest human sign ever attempted in Australia, and we’re going to need a lot of people on the day if it’s going to work,” Dr Nott said.
Speaking on Thursday, he said he was hoping to form two signs, but the words had not yet been decided. CEFE was in discussions with schools in the region about what the messages could be, to give students an opportunity to have their voices heard.
Tathra had felt the direct impact of climate change, Dr Nott said, as the the town was “almost wiped off the map” when the bushfire struck it on March 18 – the hottest day in March on record for the area between Sydney and Merimbula.
“As the planet warms we are going to see this kind of wildfire event happen more frequently as well as a longer and more intense bushfire season,” he said.
He said the sign in 2006 was born out of frustration of the Australian government’s inaction on climate change.
“Since then, things have gotten worse,” he said.
“Our politicians have let us down on climate change.”
In related news, earlier this month CEFE was acknowledged as the country's best medium-scale community renewable energy project in the Heroes Building Australia’s Low-Carbon Economy report by 350.org.
Dr Nott thought CEFE’s success could be put down to the sort of community in which its members lived.
“Our community understands showing leadership on climate change, particularly on embracing renewable energy, is of huge benefit to our region,” he said.
The human sign is being organised for Sunday, September 30. Those interested are asked to meet at Lawrence Park, Tathra at 11.30am.
It will be on the same day as the Bega to Tathra Bike Ride, so riders have the opportunity to join in.
Popular Bega Valley band The Figmentz will perform, as well as bagpipe players and taiko drummers.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
