That was the question posed by the Benalla branch of the Labor Party at a forum held in Benalla last week.
Organiser Hamish McPherson emceed the event, which included a panel discussion followed by a question and answer session.
He spoke briefly about the forum before introducing the guest speakers:
Kate Stothers: An ecologist who is involved with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Authority and is a Strathbogie Shire councillor.
John Lloyd: Founding member of the Benalla Sustainable Futures Group and convenor of Renewable Energy Benalla.
Eric Kerr: Labor Candidate for the seat of Indi.
Each addressed the room and discussed the importance of not only addressing climate change, but how we, as a society, need to do that.
Mr Kerr discussed the importance of the incoming government, who he not only hoped but strongly believed would be Labor, addressing the issue of climate change.
‘‘We will hopefully have an incoming government who are ready for the challenge and who believe in the challenge. That is what we want to emphasise, we’re ready for it,’’ Mr Kerr said.
‘‘Whilst some people will disagree, it’s hard to deny that climate change is the issue of this generation, and it’s certainly the issue that the world talks about together.
‘‘Particularly in Australia, particularly in regional and rural Australia, we see the effects of it in terms of drought, fire and storms.
‘‘We feel it the strongest here, so it’s very important that we talk about it here.
‘‘That includes ways to combat it, but also ways to simply discuss it and to make a conversation around it.
‘‘When I talk to people I guess it’s mainly businesses and community groups and each person, or each group wants to know what they can do to address climate change.
‘‘Or they want to know what support is there for them to help face climate change. Whether it’s businesses looking for grants and funding to put solar panels on the roof or community groups wanting some networking help.
‘‘Sometimes it’s individuals wanting to know what they can do in their own backyard.
‘‘Everyone has a part to play. Most realise it’s a big, important issue and want to know how to play their part.
‘‘So to have local communities come together in places like this is very encouraging.’’
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