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The climate crisis is not an “issue” – it is an emergency. Climate emergency is the term thousands of scientists say most accurately describes the situation facing humanity.

Neither local, state, federal governments nor the media treat it like one. We say like Greta Thunberg: This needs to change. And the change starts with us.

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In business and finance, people are moving millions of dollars away from fossil fuels and investing in clean energy. People are moving food growing to the cities where they can save energy, water and transport, and they are planting millions of trees and shrubs to cool the climate and bring back wildlife. More sustainable forms of transport and ways of working are saving us money and improving the quality of our lives.

With Covid-19, we have shown we can act fast to keep people alive and well, and we can do the same when we put climate first in all our decisions.

We will show our kids that their future matters to us, and we will create thousands of new jobs in new businesses for all.

Geelong Council is the biggest regional council in Victoria. Every decision we make will either increase global warming or reverse it. We have enormous power when we put climate first in every decision i.e. roads, rubbish, rates, the arts, heritage and culture, economic development, education and training, environment, health and wellbeing, planning and services, sport and recreation, and transport.

Close to 100 Australian councils have started their plans to reverse global warming. We want Geelong to join them. We can be leaders in measuring and accountability, showing the world how fast we can reach our goals when we put climate first – in every decision.

#PutClimateFirst | #ZeroCarbon2030 | #VoicesForGreta
#GeelongVotes | #ClimateEmergency | #FaceTheClimateEmergency
#PutCommunityFirst | #PutSafetyFirst