Sunshine Coast Council became only the second local government in Queensland (after Noosa Shire) to formally recognise that they are operating under the conditions of a climate emergency.
At yesterday’s council meeting (Wednesday November 10), Division 10 councillor David Law was successful in achieving a unanimous vote on his notified motion regarding a climate emergency.
“Yesterday the Sunshine Coast Council voted unanimously to support my motion that recognises we are in a state of climate emergency,” said Cr Law.
“This motion signals decisive action by council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions urgently, accelerating the great work that is already being done.
“I thank everyone who over the last two years has encouraged and helped us to achieve this.”
The decision means that Sunshine Coast Council joins with over 100 local governments around Australia who have similarly recognised that climate change is real, and it is imperative that more preventative actions be taken by everyone.
Cr Law provided a powerful presentation on the need for the motion, stating that the prospect of climate change holds real danger for the earth and its inhabitants.
“But it also provides a real opportunity,” he said.
“Looking back, we’ve simply not done enough. We are in an emergency, and we may not even have 10 years to effect the dramatic changes needed”
The decision by council will not only recognise a climate emergency but will also require council to look at its operational structure and framework to determine ways which it can strengthen the daily actions undertaken to address the climate emergency.
At the successful conclusion of the one hour and 45-minute debate on the issue, Mayor Jamieson summed up by thanking Cr Law for getting the motion over the line.
“But thank you equally to all the councillors,” he continued, “for your commitment and engagement in that debate.”
