Climate Matters!

 

Here in the Hills Shire we can see all too clearly that the effects of climate change are upon us.  In the last two years we have been affected by storms, floods and an unprecedented and devastating months-long fire storm.  Remember the colour of the skies and the choking rasp of eucalyptus smoke?  Remember the oppressive ever-present threat?

This year, 2021, is the first year of a decade in which we must drastically cut our emissions.  If we do not, our comfortable and amenable Hills Shire environment will be increasingly subject to the fury of a more and more hostile climate.  We know this because an overwhelming consensus of science, future thinkers and community leaders tells us so.  And we confirm this through our recent lived experience.  It is no longer a matter for debate!

Climate Matters in Local Government!

This year, 2021, is also the year that we here in the Hills will elect a new council that will guide us through the next three years - the most crucial years of a crucial decade.  This time around there will be no second chances!

Our local government matters.  According to the UN Development Program more than 70% of climate change mitigation measures and up to 90% of climate adaptation actions are undertaken by local governments.  It is vital that here in the Hills we have a local government that understands the issues and is committed to the necessary mitigation and adaptation measures.

Climate Matters in the Hills Shire Council Elections 2021!

Many of our neighbouring councils are stepping up to this challenge.  Not so much presently in the Hills Shire, though, which is why this council election is so important.

Unfortunately when we vote for a local council we frequently do so with scant real information about the candidates and what they believe in.  In this crucial climate election, robotically following a party line will not cut it.  Let's avoid voter remorse!

This page aims to involve the community in countering the scarcity of information about candidates' views and policies on climate.  With your help we will solicit answers from candidates and publish the results for candidates in each of the four wards in the Hills Shire.  With your input we will tell the lived climate stories of people in and around the Hills.  We will present and discuss local government issues relevant to our safe future.  We will present examples of local government best practice in relation to climate.  And with your participation, we may even help to shape the climate positions of some of the candidates and to shape our next council!

We aim to be strictly non-partisan - we will not discuss or comment on issues or policies beyond those that are vital to a safe climate and a secure future for Hills residents.  

Regardless of your usual political persuasion, this is no time for slavish party adherence.  It is our belief that, in this election, climate transcends all other issues.

We all have to vote in the September council election - let's make that vote count for climate and our future!

Are you a Candidate in the Hills Shire Council Elections 2021?

Welcome - please like and follow this page.  And please contribute your comments and thoughts - the  voters want to hear from you!  We will soon be seeking your responses  to a short questionnaire and inviting you to submit a climate policy statement.  To ensure we can contact you, please send a message to this page with your contact information.

We look forward to your involvement and commitment to a successful climate election in the Hills in 2021.

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This blog and our Facebook page and our administrators are not associated or affiliated with any party or candidate standing in The Hills Shire Council elections in 2021.  Nor do we receive funding from any individual, party, institution or corporation.  Our very constrained expenditures are financed by the page administrators themselves acting in a personal capacity.  Our only interest is in a safe climate for current and  future residents of the Hills Shire.

Email: climate.matters.hills.2021@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ClimateMattersHills2021.