To Surf Coast Shire Council,

Given that climate impacts are already causing serious loss of life and destroying vital ecosystems, global average temperature, atmospheric greenhouse gases, and ocean acidity are already at dangerous levels, and wartime economic mobilisations have proven how quickly nations can restructure their economies when facing an extreme threat, it is inexcusable to continue with climate-damaging policies that put us all in even greater peril.

We ask of our councillors to implement a municipality-wide climate emergency response, which involves to…

• Publicly acknowledge the climate emergency

• Review the Council’s strategic plan

• Create a foundation for climate emergency action

• Implement a climate emergency plan

We’ve risen to big challenges in the past when an emergency has been declared, with citizens and all sides of politics rising to the occasion and working together for the common good. We have all the resources and ability to overcome the climate emergency, we are only lacking two things: political will and the number of people to change that political will.

We call on you to do what is necessary now. Declare a climate emergency

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This petition also runs on www.surfcoast.climateemergencydeclaration.org

NB: If you have already signed it there, or on a paper version of this petition, there is no reason for you to sign it again here. 

BACKGROUND
On 1 May 2019, the United Kingdom became the first country in the world to declare a national climate emergency. Here in Australia, it was Darebin City Council in Melbourne who became the first council in the world to recognise the climate emergency in December 2016. Since then more than 550 councils in 13 countries have followed their example.

In May 2019, the ACT declared a climate emergency. More than 60 per cent of Australians agree with the sentiment that "Global warming is a serious and pressing problem." 

In 1989, the United Nations predicted disaster if global warming not checked. (AP, 30 June 1989). Scientists have given us only one more decade now to half our emissions, lest our world warm to the point where humans face an existential threat. We cannot wait until the next Federal election. We need all action at all levels of government.

We are calling on Surf Coast Shire Council to respect the will of the people and embrace climate action at an entirely new level, where in every decision you make, you will be asking yourselves: “How is this decision going to affect the climate?” 

When you declare a climate emergency it demonstrates your concrete commitment, a willingness to stand together and fight to prevent the largest threat of our times. It contributes to changing the story in our community, and as many other councils join in, in the broader society.

Sign and share this petition, and don't forget to write a strong message directly to our councillors. We will make sure that they all get a copy of it when we hand over the petition on the day a climate emergency declaration comes up for a vote in the chambers.