Climate Action Merribek: people in Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner and Glenroy wanting action on climate change

The sleeping issue of climate change in the #vicvotes battle for Northcote

Rivalry is not unknown between the Council areas of Darebin and Moreland with the valley of the Merri Creek that divides the two municipalities. But we also share many similar cultural aspects and levels of development and many of the same issues and problems. We will also feel the impacts of climate change in a similar manner through increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves and hotspells. Like in Brunswick, Northcote has an interesting story this election with Climate Action Moreland’s equivalent grassroots activists in Darebin Climate Action Now playing a pivotal role.

Like in Brunswick, the seat of Northcote is one of those inner northern city electorates in Melbourne where the Greens vote has been steadily growing. This state election it has proved to be a particularly nasty battle-ground between the ALP’s Fiona Richardson (Unipollwatch profile) and the Greens Trent McCarthy (Unipollwatch profile) with the intervention of Federal Labor MP David Feeney into the fray.

Both the Liberal and Labor parties have avoided talking about climate change in this election and Northcote is a good example of this bipartisan silencing of debate on climate policy. Candidates from both major parties refused to attend a Climate Q and A forum in the electorate on November 12. The group that organised this forum, Darebin Climate Action Now is an active group that has been quietly talking about the issue and impacts of climate change in this community for a number of years educating voters bit by bit.
(more…)

November 28, 2014 at 12:43 am John Englart 1 comment