Northern Territory News
By coordinator Environment Centre NT: Stuart Blanch
World Environment Day is two years younger than me.
The day commemorates the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment on June 5, 1972.
Over the past four decades, the hot button environment issues may have changed -- pesticides in the 70s, rainforest logging in the 80s, to land and water management and climate change these past two decades. But the power of ordinary people to build a better future for our children and the planet is stronger than ever before.
Territorians, we can make a big difference.
As the Chief Minister's decision to oppose Arafura Harbour shows, governments will listen when people speak out.
Politicians know they dismiss voters concerned about the environment at their peril.
Just look at the federal Coalition which last week supported in-principle to cutting Australia's emissions by up to 25 per cent in the next 10 years -- the same party that ignored climate change for the previous decade.
How times change.
So what else can we do to create a cleaner greener future?
Here's a selection to tickle your fancy.
In the home, buy GreenPower so Power and Water have to make an equivalent amount of solar or tidal energy, or buy it from a company that does.
Do an energy or water audit through COOLmob or using Power and Water's online audit to save money and resources.
You could ditch the front lawn and plant low-water-use native trees instead -- great for birds and you will be helping stop a new big dam being built on the free-flowing Adelaide River.
In the office or at school, take on a recycling challenge to see how much waste you can avoid.
Walk, bus or ride instead of driving. And if you are up for more, make the most of your power by telling politicians what you want them to do.
Cut Territory emissions, protect Darwin Harbour, pass a strong Living Rivers Act, make Weddell a green affordable city, or stop new uranium mines.
It's your choice. Email, write, call, or tell them when you see them at the markets or your kid's sport.
We're paying their salary, so they have to listen.
It's free, it makes you feel good, and it only takes 10 minutes!