Issue #72: Making connections
Missing links everywhere
“So people just want to know if it’s still okay for them to go on holiday to Rhodes as they had planned. Can you offer some advice?”
I was buzzing down a British motorway while on a trip to visit my wonderful 90 year old Scottish aunt. The Greek bushfires of 2023 were alight both literally and in the news. A BBC interviewer was questioning the spokesperson from a major travel agency about British holidaymakers.
It was all a bit surreal and reminded me of our Black Summer fires of 2019/20.
The contrasting difference was that people in the UK had no idea about intense bushfires. To hear a travel agent on the radio suggest that people might “still be fine to travel to the island of Rhodes as long as they plan to stay at a holiday resort a few hours away from the bushfires” underlined how little this travel agent appreciated the unpredictable behaviour of bushfires. I gasped in disbelief and said out loud “They just have no idea!”.
About 19,000 people had already been evacuated from Rhodes, including many Britons and Europeans on holiday in the summer season. Memories of Mallacoota in 2019/20 came to mind with frightened children and young people bobbing about in tinnies offshore as they watched almost their entire township burn to ashes in the night sky.
Now Europe is sweltering and burning again. The death toll is rising and huge numbers of people will suffer from the fires, and the complications of heat stress . It’s tragic to think of people going to the beach to try and stay cool and then dying of heat exhaustion as they lie there. Or in their stuffy apartments, or on a street corner.
At least there is some change.
Australian public health authorities have been tracking deaths caused by heat stress for years. Their work shows that extreme heat leads to more deaths and hospital admissions annually than any other hazard in Australia.
Extreme heat has the highest contribution to injury hospitalisation and deaths caused by extreme weather events – 7,104 hospitalisations between 2012–2022, and 293 deaths between 2011–2021.
Yet, heat stress seldom makes the news. It’s a slow-moving tragedy compared to the dramatic swift-water rescues and helicopters hovering over rooftops.
Why are so few alarmed by this big-picture, wicked problem? Each sorrowful story somehow fails to fuel the community to demand more meaningful, sincere action to arrest climate heating.
Clearly, stories matter.
It seems like most climate change messages are poorly constructed or actively undermined by the coal and gas industry.
Here are three missing links to look out for.
Missing link #1: the connection between climate chaos and death.
We now live in a world of unnatural disasters. But while those disasters are in Greece or Bangladesh or even the Torres Strait, we struggle to connect. This is not unique to climate chaos but to every site of human suffering.
However, when we spotlight people from our own communities who have experienced the life-changing hardship - whether bushfire survivors from Black Summer or flood survivors in Lismore - we are more likely to feel a stronger bond and some empathy. Our stories are stronger if they are told in the first person. Personalising makes a difference.
Missing link #2: burning Australian coal and gas accelerates climate heating across the globe.
Fossil fuels actually kill people in Australia, no matter where it is burnt!
Our friends in the Torres Strait Islands and Pacific know this better than most, as the effects of climate pollution are literally on their doorstep every day and getting worse. Rising sea levels threaten all aspects of their daily life. Yet they contribute next to nothing in carbon pollution.
Tuvalu’s Prime Minister, Hon. Feleti Teo, said in response to Australia approving four new coal mines in 2024:
“To put it plainly - it is a death sentence for us if larger nations continue to open new fossil fuel projects. The continued expansion of fossil fuels only fans the flames of the climate crisis.”
It’s why we are calling for no new coal mines at all, starting right now. Then, we must phase out coal by 2030. It is laughable that governments and the industry tell us that our coal and gas is not significant in heating the climate. And it’s been rebutted by the Qld Land Court in 2022.
Missing link #3: the concerns and anxiety I carry in my head and heart are not part of my wider community life.
I have not connected with my neighbours on any common ground, let alone such a difficult, wide-ranging problem as the climate crisis.
But I am heartened by my friend Rob. He has found in his local conversations that people are yearning for a place and a space to listen and to be heard about everything in their lives. I am trying to learn from him and start with one conversation at a time – and not just about climate futures either.
My well-being in the future will be inextricably tied to yours, and our community’s ability to function is a collective endeavour. As Rob says to his neighbours:
“We are stronger if we face this together”.
This is the start of climate resilience.
(We authors of Climate Club have written abut language several times: Issue #71: I feel paralysed sometimes. Issue #64: Language Matters)
Let’s make some noise with one or more actions to make a difference today!
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
Australian Pipeline Association (APA) plans to build gas pipelines for Beetaloo Energy Australia and Tamboran Resources, enabling what could be Australia’s biggest ever fracking development. Last year, following pressure from thousands of Australians, UniSuper dumped over $1bn of APA shares. Community opposition has made the Beetaloo a national flashpoint. Together, we can stop APA from enabling more dirty, unnecessary fracking, and protect our water, land, and climate.
Action: Help tell APA to dump its Beetaloo pipeline plans before it’s too late.
Before the Queensland election Treasurer David Janetzki was on ABC TV committing to reduce emissions by 75%. Now they’re walking back on that promise by reviewing the target! We need to hold the Crisafulli Government to account and make sure they remember their promise to Queenslanders.
Action: Share this video on Facebook to spread the word or on Instagram here.
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
For a short tongue in cheek video, check out this fun. Solar Citizens is thrilled to celebrate an historic match made in clean energy heaven marking the official start of the game-changing federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. A clean energy and cost of living solution!
Action: 🎥 Watch the Wedding Video and share with your networks.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
Georgie the giant greater glider puppet is going to the Land Court!
Whitehaven Coal is proposing Australia’s largest new coal mine on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, and ACF and Mackay Conservation Group are heading to the Queensland Land Court to stop this polluting project from derailing Australia's renewable-powered future. Georgie the Greater Glider will be outside standing up for nature as the case is heard inside.
Action: RSVP for this fun and friendly rally - Monday 21 July - Queensland Land Court, 363 George St, Brisbane City 8:30am to 10am.
Most of us find a conversation about climate can be tricky - so maybe effective climate conversations training could help! In this 2-hour interactive workshop, you’ll build the confidence and skills to talk about climate change in ways that truly connect with people in your life. This is a supportive, energising space for you to feel more confident in your own conversation skills and more.
Action: Register for Effective Climate Conversations training online. Saturday July 19 at 3pm - 5pm - Cost is $10 but not essential.
Join Magandjin/Brisbane Rising Tide for an afternoon of creativity, connection and good food as we print a next batch of DIY Rising Tide t-shirts!
Come along to meet like minded folk, have some laughs and find out more about Rising Tide, the People’s Blockade and ways to be more involved.
Action: Info and RSVP Sunday 20 July, 2-4pm Dutton Park - no skill or materials required!
Our friends in Townsville from the North Qld Conservation Council have a cool stall at the upcoming James Cook Uni market day. Join them for a fun and engaging afternoon - whether you are a student or someone who’s thinking of volunteering with NQCC, come along!
Climate conversations will accelerate change for more action
Some of our friends and neighbours are yearning for a way to take action. We met people in the last two weeks who watched the Rising Tide film “Turning the Ship” and inspired to participate in Rising Tide’s blockade this November. We are impatient for change and so glad to meet others keen to be involved! 🚀🚀🚀
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action.
See you in two weeks
Malcolm
plus Robyn, Ron and Jan - The Climate Club Qld team
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We live, work and play on the lands of the Yuggara and Turrbal people in and around Magandjin - Brisbane. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded - always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
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Ron is very wise! I love his quote.