With a distinct lack of action on climate policy from both major parties in the federal election, now is the time for everyone to get active and call on candidates for policies that immediately address climate change.
 
Peak environment groups from around the country have announced they will be holding Australia’s biggest day of climate action, Walk Against Warming, nationally on Sunday the 15th August, six days before the federal election.
“Millions of ordinary Australians are already doing their bit and they want to see politicians face up to their responsibility to reduce greenhouse pollution. This election the Walk Against Warming will call on politicians to walk with the people, not the big polluters,” said Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO of Environment Victoria, speaking on behalf of the Conservation Councils. 
‘The greatest immediate contribution Tasmania can make to the climate challenge is to protect our carbon-dense native forests from logging, to secure the massive amounts of carbon currently stored in living forest ecosystems,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society. 
“Tasmanians have been taking action by recycling their waste, reducing energy use, buying green power and saving water.  It’s time for our Government to listen to the people and lead the change“.
During this federal election, the Walk Against Warming is calling for a firm commitment by all political parties to:
  Make the big polluters pay by introducing a price on carbon
  Replace our most polluting power stations with clean energy
  Protect our native forests for safe carbon storage
  Create new clean jobs and industries
  Guarantee to cut pollution over the next term of government
  Support poor and vulnerable countries to tackle the impacts of climate change and invest in sustainable development.
Since 2005, hundreds of thousands of people across Australia have expressed their support for greater government action to address climate change by joining the Walk Against Warming. This year, a diverse range of Walk against Warming activities will be held in every capital city and many regional centres across the country.
The Hobart Walk Against Warming event will start at 12 noon at Parliament House Lawns.  Speakers including Christine Milne, James Risby, Peter Boyer and Mel Barnes will address the crowd after a walk around the CBD past the new wind turbines, recently installed on the marine board building.
In Launceston, walkers will meet at Civic Square at 12 noon for a Walk Against Warming to the Seaport boardwalk.  For the Launceston event, organisers have asked for people to bring umbrellas and if possible, paint them with a climate message.  Umbrellas signify the more extreme weather predicted as a result of climate change.