hero missions

qpsu climate heroes
supported by acf

mission three: climate economics

Australia’s future prosperity depends on building a sustainable society and addressing global climate change. Not only is this necessary, but it also provides us with key strategic opportunities.

Congratulations and thank-you to all the Climate Heroes who completed ‘Hero Training’ last month.

Many participants spoke afterwards about how the passion and commitment shown by everyone present gave them a great sense of hope.

It is easy to stand back and let the opportunity to make a difference pass by, but instead you are taking responsibility and working alongside other Climate Heroes for positive change. Well done!

For those who couldn’t make training, you will find enclosed a DVD version of the workplace presentation for ‘Step 1’.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an international body of respected climate scientists, has demonstrated that in order to stabilise emissions at a level likely to prevent a dangerous, irreversible temperature rise of over 2 degrees, we need to stop the increase in the world’s carbon emissions by 2015 at the latest, and begin to decrease emissions by 2 or 3 percent globally every year after that.

So while the effort to achieve a safe climate will take many decades, the next seven years, and particularly 2008, are crucial times for our campaign. We need the very best practices and policies in place to address climate change, and we need them now.

With so many people joining the effort, we are well on our way to the sustainable future that we all want to see. It won’t happen overnight, or even in a single year – but every small action that we take is one step on the journey.

Step 1: Presentations

Effective change starts with effective education. That’s why the first part of your mission is to organise a presentation on climate science for your workplace. We need to inform everyone of the importance of the issue, and how easy it is to take action.

Try to organise a time to present the climate hero slideshow or DVD at a staff meeting or during lunchtime, and invite as many people as you can!

Materials:

• Text of email invitation (see above);
• DVD or downloaded PowerPoint presentation (you can edit and tailor the PowerPoint presentation for your specific workplace). Also note the DVD has a copy of this Powerpoint included in its data section;
• Some paper to record ideas generated from the group discussion;
• ‘Pledge cards’ to distribute after the presentation – ask people to stick them on their fridge and commit to taking whatever actions they can.
• Poster promoting World Environment Day - June 5, 2008

Step 2: Climate Economics

You can read the enclosed information sheet to learn about some key concepts in climate economics, and especially the important ‘Garnaut Review’ this year.

It’s very important to share the information with your colleagues and family, so that everyone can learn the facts about climate change.

Also, visit the climate heroes website and click the link to read the ACTU's Global Warming Policy. You may want to send this link to fellow union members in your workplace.

Queries and concerns

Don’t forget, if you have any queries or suggestions, email climate@qpsu.org.au or call 1800 177 244.

Good luck!