YCAN demands Yarra acts on emergency

Ms Kerry Echberg of YCAN (Yarra Climate Action Now) at the Yarra Council meeting of the 21st of February demanded that the City of Yarra follow up their climate emergency declaration with real action. 

Ms Echberg said "First of all, on behalf of YCAN I'd like to thank and congratulate Council and Councillors for supporting the declaration. We know that Yarra has, for a long time, been committed to reducing emissions in the city, and has taken many important actions to achieve a sustainable Yarra. We also know that we have entered a new phase in the battle for our planet, with 2016 being the hottest year on record, after several of the previous year’s having had that 'honour'.

So recognition of Climate Emergency is no longer enough: Councils, along with every level of government, must develop stronger policies and actions to attempt to deal with the problem and to protect the community, particularly its most vulnerable members, from the impacts already present. Each Council policy must be based on its effect on climate change.

My question is, how will you develop a climate emergency program based on the latest scientific research and with targets and budgets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which will reduce exacerbation of the disaster and protects the municipality, for your term of office and into the future?" (See council minutes page 7.)