Last Friday night Townsville's changemakers came together for a hopeful and uplifting evening. NQCC had the great opportunity to host a screening of 'Rising Up', produced by ocean advocate, Take 3 for the Sea ambassador and Plastic Free Cronulla founder, Kal Glanznig. This new documentary investigates the impacts of the climate crisis and plastic pollution on different communties, and showcased the voices of young leaders who are creating much needed change here in Australia and on the Pacific Islands. 

Kal Glanznig created the film Rising Up wanting to uncover solutions to climate change and plastic pollution. The film sees Kal travel to the frontlines of climate change and plastic pollution, travelling to Tuvalu, Samoa, Bali and across Australia (including Magnetic Island) to uncover the solutions of how we can all rise up and take action. Rising Up acknowledges that a large majority of young Australians is concerned about climate change and consequently is experiencing negative impact on their mental health. Rising Up highlights what we can all do to roll up our sleeves and take action.

The next generation of Marine and Environmental Scientists

Next to great food and good company, we also encouraged participants to reflect on their own environmental journey with a worksheet that we had prepared. Lot's of participants indicated that they would like to do more for nature protection and were looking for tangible actions and inspiring stories. 

A great opportunity for intergenerational dialogue

After the screening, participants discussed their first impressions over desert. Many were concerned about the overwhelming impacts of plastic pollution and climate change described in the film and could relate them to personal experiences of these impacts in Townsville and North Queensland. On the flip side, participants felt hopeful hearing about young Australian activists striving for change and learning about different initiatives and ideas.

Our Panel: (right to left) Kal Glanznig, Laura Dunstan, Diana Condylas, and Crystal Falknau

For the panel talk including film producer Kal Glanznig, we also invited local changemakers Diana Condylas (Plastic Free Townsville, Boomerang Alliance), Laura Dunstan (Great Barrier Reef Foundation), and our very own Crystal Falknau. The panelists shared their personal journies in conservation, highlighting that there is a multitude of ways to protect nature with meaningful actions both bigger and smaller. Furthermore, stories about local activism clearly showed, that our region has great potential to make even more positive changes. Panelists also shared their personal strategies to cope with frustration and grief related to current crises. For example, Crystal has highlighted that having the support of a community, such as from NQCC, is a great strength. 

After the panel talk, all participants were invited to make pledges to take personal actions. Twenty people have made pledges on the night to take actions.

For example: