Parliamentarians called on to show support for urgent action on climate change in the lead up to COP 26
Wednesday, 20 October
Tomorrow, on Thursday 21 October, Common Grace is asking Federal MPs and Senators to wear during Question Time scarves knitted to show the truth of our warming climate.
These scarves have been gifted to our nation’s leaders as part of Common Grace’s Knit for Climate Action, with each scarf powerfully illustrating 101 years of climate data in vivid coloured stripes (1919 – 2019).
Members of the Common Grace movement have been meeting with federal parliamentarians and asking them to wear the scarf as an expression of support for urgent, bold and ambitious action on climate change in the lead up to the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, COP26.
Thursday is the last joint sitting date in parliament before the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, COP 26. It comes as the federal government finalises its negotiations on setting a target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Common Grace CEO, Brooke Prentis said: “These scarves have been painstakingly handmade, they are beautiful, but haunting, as they tell the story of our warming world. In gifting these scarves, the knitters behind them are offering a generous and clear reminder that our climate is changing, and expressing their hope that our national leaders take the urgent and ambitious action that’s needed.
“We are asking each of our Federal Representatives to #WearTheScarf on 21 October to show their support for this call.
“We need to be listening to those most impacted by our warming world. Like, Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples, and our neighbours – peoples of the Pacific Island nations.
“Australia’s current pledges and ambitions lag well behind our allies and peers. COP 26 is a chance for us to show solidarity with vulnerable peoples and neighbours and pledge to go further in emissions reduction and climate financing.
“It’s also a chance for us to set our economy on the path to sustainable recovery, clean jobs and the protection of our peoples and country.”
WA-based Common Grace supporter Daniel Vujcich recently met with Josh Wilson MP and said he was grateful for the opportunity to speak with his MP about how Common Grace’s climate scarves expressed a Christian call to seek justice for the vulnerable.
“Josh Wilson agreed that the need for climate action is urgent and committed to wearing his scarf on 21 October. I also learnt that Josh was once a knitter himself, and he appreciated the work Sue our knitter put into the scarf!”
Labor’s climate change spokesman Chris Bowen said: “Australia needs to take a firm commitment of net zero by 2050 to Glasgow, as well as better medium-term targets. And it needs to be legislated. Anything else from this Government is a cop out at COP.”
Common Grace is a growing movement of over 54,000 Australian Christians pursing Jesus and justice.
