The announcement that Greens councillor Pat McGinlay intends to move a notice of motion for Eurobodalla Shire Council to declare a climate emergency is welcome.
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Local government - the tier of administration closest to the grass roots - is in a unique position to take leadership on this urgent issue.
While the issue has crashed straight into political roadblocks at the federal level, concern within the wider community has been growing.
Frustration too has been growing as Australia fails to keep pace with other developed nations, particularly Europe.
It is several years since that most conservative of publications, Britain's The Economist, declared that it was time to take action on reducing emissions.
Large financial organisations and churches have added their voices to those of Pacific nations who know they are most at risk of extreme climate events and rising sea levels.
The time to take action to reduce carbon emissions was a long time ago - now local government can give their federal counterparts a hurry up.
The combined voices of all local governments around Australia, if they unite to declare a climate emergency, would be something no party room could ignore.
The risks of failing to act are immense.
Our beautiful coastline is to be treasured - not trifled with, nor gambled with.
Yes, we may have to consume less and do more - but that is a small price to pay when the stakes are so high.
Climate change is something idealists and realists alike can agree on.
Extreme climate events - and more of them - are bad for business, for tourism and for everyday living.
More catastrophic-risk fire days and more catastrophic bushfires are terrible for farmers, for tourism operators, for residents.
We look forward to a genuine conversation within Eurobodalla Shire Council and a result that sees all councillors taking a stand for their community.
Climate change is the defining moral imperative of our times.
It is time to put our trust in the myriad of scientists whose educations we have funded and who overwhelmingly state that climate change is no longer a question - it is a call to action.
What is the best way for our shire to reduce carbon emissions?