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Walk Against Warming 2

November 15, 2008 @ 20:57 By Gavin Webber 10 Comments

Today around our nation the people of Australia (well some of us) spoke loud and with a single voice to let our politicians know that we care about their lack of solid action regarding Climate Change. We were willing to give up our time to demonstrate that we want strong emission targets followed up with quick and decisive action to combat Climate Change.

So here is my own little story about the day.

I picked up the first part of my band of eco-warriors at 0910 in Ballarat, finding that Amy and Jamie were very eager to get going. On the way home to my house I found that Winslow (the nickname Amy gave my Civic Hybrid) attained a record 4.1 L/100km. I was gob-smacked at the fuel consumption. Well done car!

Once we arrived home, we had found that Kim had been busy making us all a home made pizza. She even made the dough from scratch. She wrapped the slices up for lunch and also popped in an apple and a piece of rice bubble slice for each of us to eat when we got to the city. The two young ladies managed to convince Ben to walk with us, so now we were four. The more the merrier. Kim told me yesterday that she wanted to come along a walk as well, but that she probably was not physically able at the moment. We both agreed that it was probably the best thing that she just relax today and join us next time. Even Megan wanted to go, but had a prior engagement that she couldn’t break.

We left for Melbourne at about 1045. I had to get fuel for the car, and I found that the car achieved another record. From 40 litres of unleaded fuel, I managed to travel 804.5 Km! Got to love this technology. Anyway, the trip was uneventful and the traffic was light, and it only took 35 minutes to get to the Crown Casino, where we managed to get parked for $6 all day. Just compare that to my trip into work yesterday that took me 1h 45min in very heavy traffic and I left home at 0630. Bloody ridiculous yesterday, but a nice trip today.

WAG 001

We walked up to Finders St Station where we met Lydia and Matt under the clocks and popped over to Federation Square where we had our lunch. Here is a shot of Matt, Lydia and Ben just after lunch.

 

WAG 002

And here is one of Amy munching an apple and Jamie looking very happy.

WAG 003

After lunch we walked over to the stage and giant screen where a Brazilian band was performing. They got the crowd clapping and dancing, which was pretty cool.

WAG 004

After the band had been playing for about 20 minutes, quite a gathering started to occur. At around about 1310, the presenters began to speak about what I usually write about in this blog, and one Professor was down right depressing. I can’t remember his name, but he told it how it was, that we are already committed to a 2 degree rise in global temperature and that we could not stop the initial stages of Climate Change. So, we had to act before we reached the first tipping point, which could be either arctic ice gone at the North Pole, or Methane release from the frozen tundra, or ice-sheets melting in Greenland and West Antarctica. After his speech there was the usual call for action and we all got revved up and excited.

Here is Ben and I enjoying the speeches.

WAG 009

Once the call to arms was over, we all headed off down Flinders Street and then left into Spring Street towards Parliament House. I wouldn’t even be able to guess how many people were walking, more than 25,000 would be a good approximation.

WAG 016

 

There was about 700 metres of people in front of us, and about 1500 metres of walkers behind us.
As you can see from the faces, there was a very broad span of ages from babies and toddlers in prams to Grandpas and Grandmas all walking together with one purpose of getting our elected officials to act on Climate Change.

Now here are a few things we saw and did along the way. We saw Turtles who were against Climate Change.

WAG 014

We saw dancing in the streets by Jamie, Amy and Ben to the Brazilian drum music.
WAG 019

We saw Lydia protesting very loudly.

WAG 015

We saw what the hole in the Ozone layer does to heads that don’t wear hats! That has to hurt tomorrow.
WAG 020

And we saw a small cute boy with a solar powered fan in his hat.

WAG 022

As we approached the steps of Parliament, I notice that there was a mounted police presence which was just a bit over the top. What were we going to do? Rush the empty halls of government and ransack the place? I don’t think so. This was the most peaceful protest I have ever seen.
WAG 023

Once we got there, we all gathered and chanted that we wanted action now and when the tail end Charlie of the walk caught up, we counted down from 10 to 1 very loudly and basically raised the roof off of the building. Hopefully some of our elected officials heard us in their beach houses down the coast (that won’t be worth much when sea levels rise), and got the message. Hopefully on Monday, we may see a bit more action.

After the fun and games were over, we all dispersed peacefully and we all said goodbye to each other. Amy and Jamie headed off to Southern Cross Station, and Matt and Lydia had to go to St Kilda to meet some friends. I thanked them all very much for making an old mans day very fulfilling.
Ben and I walked back to Flinders St, caught a tram down to Spencer St and walked the rest of the way to the Casino Car park. For being such a good lad, I bought Ben a chocolate ice-cream cone. It is not often that most of the family get involved in something that we all stand up for and believe strongly in. It was a great day, and I thank everyone again for being part of a great event.
Maybe we won’t have to walk again next year because we, as a nation, will have begun to reduce our emissions in a dramatic way, but I am not holding my breath!

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Filed Under: activisim, climate change, community, Family, Honda Civic Hybrid

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Kel says

    November 15, 2008 at 21:59

    i would have loved to have gone. i love a big public gathering; rally or protest. makes me feel all warm and fuzzy seeing fellow travellers all congregating. In Adelaide the organisers decided to do a treadmill walk in our city mall for people passing by..( this year Si didn’t organise it).didnt even rate a mention on the news. it was very uninspiring. onya GoGs, again.

    Reply
  2. wombat064 says

    November 15, 2008 at 23:20

    Mate, wish I was with you..

    would rather have been doing that than rebuilding the engine on the LPG guzzling beast.

    I did however end up with some unwanted warming of my own , a 10 inch sunburn full width, just above the plumberers crack.

    Talk about global warming……….

    Reply
  3. Little Terraced House says

    November 16, 2008 at 02:46

    Good for you guys !
    Greetings from the UK – If we had been back in Perth visiting relatives I would have gone too !

    Best wishes Babs.
    P.S. Hope Kim is feeling a little better xx

    Reply
  4. john (dad) says

    November 16, 2008 at 08:50

    thanks for marching for the family gav owing to circamstances unable to participate in brisbane. iff it happens in brissy next year will be going

    Reply
  5. Danni-The neighbour says

    November 16, 2008 at 09:36

    good on you guys!And that cute little boy with the fan in his hat is just gorgeous! 😉

    Hope Kim is feeling better. I better pop around and have a gossip with her, and grab the recipe for the home made pizzas 🙂

    Reply
  6. Susan says

    November 16, 2008 at 13:03

    Good on you for going! I was planning to but didnt end up making it unfortunatly. It was realy great to read your recap of the day.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    November 16, 2008 at 15:37

    Well done Gav I was thinking of you and your family unfortunately Hervey Bay is quite a distance especially with the petrol the price it is so I was chanting on the inside Ellie

    Reply
  8. JulieG says

    November 17, 2008 at 12:13

    Looks like a great turn-out in Melbourne! Our Perth one was much smaller than that, and smaller than last year’s crowd too – I think last year we had over 8,000, this year I estimate closer to 1,000. Not as well organised I suspect!

    Reply
  9. Gavin says

    November 18, 2008 at 21:06

    @ Kel. That is a shame. An how ironic, because treadmills use so much energy when walking uses none!

    @ Phil. No drama mate. Just promise me that whatever city you are in around November next year that you will bring to peoples attention the issues of climate change.

    @ Babs. Do they have walks like this in the UK?

    @ Dad. No problems. I fully understand. There is always next year (I hope).

    @ Susan. Thanks, maybe you could join the merry band next year.

    @ Mum. You could organise a small one in your area. March upon the Council offices and demand action!

    @ JulieG. Fantastic that you participated, but it is a shame to hear that interest is waning in WA.

    Reply
  10. Amy Marie says

    November 26, 2008 at 09:22

    Hello father, yes it was a good day had by all. Next year we will definatly need some sunscreen. I am glad you have finally admitted defeat about the hybrid being called Winslow :)! I will have to get Jaimee onto looking at the blog, I don’t think she knows she is famous yet.
    Love you lots xxx

    Reply

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An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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