A new festival is calling for volunteers, business operators and sponsors to help inspire the Surf Coast community to act on climate change.
Surf Coast Parents for Climate and Surfers for Climate have collaborated to present the One Planet Festival, a one-day event next year, on March 16 at Torquay’s Elephant Walk.
Parents for Climate co-organiser Laura Grufas said she was excited to bring the new event to the Surf Coast community and highlight the Empowering Communities, Protecting the Earth theme.
“One Planet is about empowering people in our community to become changemakers, advocates and leaders for climate action,” she said.
“We want people to discover their power to make a difference in their personal lives, community and national level.”
Surfers for Climate chief executive Josh Kirkman said people had the “power to take positive action” against climate change.
“It will be a great opportunity to showcase our resilience and innovation as well as practical solutions we can make to respond to the climate emergency,” he said.
“We’re increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change in our communities and environment, experiencing the hottest month on record just recently.”
Surf Coast Shire councillor Kate Gazzard said everyone could “contribute to climate action” and encouraged the community to embrace the festival and its ideas.
“The concept of a climate festival aligns with Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency and our aim to inspire community action,” she said.
“Having an informed, motivated and mobilised community is key to limiting global warming and adapting to the impacts of climate change that we’re already starting to experience.”
Volunteers, sustainable business operators and sponsors can express interest in being a part of the One Planet Festival at oneplanetfest.com.au
