“I AM scared for my children and I’m scared for my community.”
Those were the words Sophie Appleby brought to the School Strike for Climate solidarity sit-down in front of Member for Mallee Anne Webster’s Mildura office on Friday.
Ms Appleby is a member of the 350 Mallee Climate Action group, but first and foremost, she is a concerned mother.
“For me, I want to make sure my children have a future and a bright regenerative, sustainable future and I’m scared for them,” she said.
The Mildura strike was organised by Ms Appleby as a part of a nationwide movement through 350.org, a worldwide climate activism group.
Protesters sported handmade signs demanding climate action in line with the solutions put forward by the school strike movement.
“We want increased support for indigenous land management and for the rural fire service,” Ms Appleby said.
“We want real climate action with no new coal, oil or gas projects, 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and funding for a just transition and fossil-fuel workers and communities.”
Ms Appleby said Dr Webster’s office was chosen for the strike after her recent comments on climate change.
“We have chosen Anne Webster’s office because we really want to tell the local members to recognise how important it is to discuss the climate emergency and take immediate action,” she said.
She said Dr Webster’s recent public statements “just go against everything that we as a 350 group and a climate strike feel,” and no action was being taken.
“Now is the time to be discussing the climate crisis when communities are already hurting and bushfires are raging and summer hasn’t even started.”
Mildura councillor Jason Modica showed his support at the strike and Member for Mildura Ali Cupper was set to be attend.
“What we want to see is members uniting together and talking about solutions,” Ms Appleby said.
“This is not about fighting whether or not it’s happening. The science is here and we want to move forward, find solutions and take action.”
