North Queensland Conservation Council

Our current Climate Change initiative revolves around inspiring our fellow North Queenslanders to think about what a carbon neutral future could look like for our region. Learn all about the project here! 

We also highly recommend climateforchange.org.au and their amazing climate conversations guide! 

Climate Conversations

Posted by Crystal Falknau · December 27, 2020 12:59 PM · 1 reaction

NQ Climate Impacts

Posted by Crystal Falknau · December 27, 2020 12:57 PM · 1 reaction

Climate Strikes

Posted by Crystal Falknau · December 27, 2020 12:55 PM · 1 reaction

Students Strike for Climate in Townsville on 15 March 2019.

On 15 March 2019, Townsville school students gathered at the Gregory Street Amphitheatre to share their stories, concerns and demands regarding climate change and climate action. This nationwide event was organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), and the Townsville event was brought together by AYCC's North Queensland Organiser Alicia Walter, with the help of local volunteers.

Q&A session at Townsville's HeatWatch presentation. Pictured are Des Bolton, Mark Ogge and NQCC Campaigns Manager Tarquin Moon.

The science of climate change is by now quite clear and generally well understood. In brief, CO2 and other greenhouse gases trap the sun’s heat, raising the average temperature of the atmosphere and (indirectly) the oceans. We have emitted so much extra CO2 since the Industrial Revolution (and especially since 1950) that we are on course for dangerous droughts, heat waves, sea-level rise and species extinctions – up to and including mass starvation and massive dislocation of human populations. For authoritative summaries of the science, with links to further information, visit these pages by CSIRO, the BoM  or NOAA.

Join the conversation!

Help us create a vision for North Queensland with Renew NQ.

What vision do you have for Townsville and North Queensland? How would you like to see our region flourish in the next 5, 10, 20 years?

This project aims to reduce polarisation within our community using empathy and optimism. We will listen and learn from locals to forge a path towards making our region an outstanding example of sustainability. This path will be forged by locals, for locals, and will highlight the strong connection between our community and our wonderful natural assets. 

Let's redefine our community spirit and take control of our future.

>> Volunteer With Us! <<

When you sign up to volunteer, you will be offered all the information and training you'll need to help us launch this exciting campaign. And don't worry - this will all happen from the comfort and safety of your own home!

If you'd like to learn more about some of the concepts behind this project, read this introduction by the Project Coordinator Tessa Hodge.

To learn more about climate change impacts and recent activities in North Queensland, see our climate change page. 

How do we talk about climate change without polarising the conversation? Try David Suzuki's online Climate Conversation Coach for inspiration and ideas!

For any enquiries, please contact our Project Coordinator Tessa at [email protected]g.au. 

Do the survey here!

Well, it looks like we've made it to the end of June - what an action-packed month it has been! Thank you for your support throughout this month! From engaging with us via social media, attending our events or contributing to our fundraising efforts, we couldn't have done everything we have without you!

If you are yet to renew your membership for 2019/2020, you may receive a phone call in the coming weeks, but if you're not sure you can email [email protected] to check your membership status. If you would like to renew online, go here. 

Drawing towards the end of June means that this financial year is almost over (seriously, where did it go?). As such, you only have a few days for any donations to count towards this year's tax deduction. You can donate online here. 

In this edition:

• June in Review
  • Palm Creek Folk Festival
  • Climate Concert
  • Art Auction
• Upcoming Events
  • Plastic-Free July
  • Green Drinks
  • JCU O-Week Market

For the first time, the Queensland State Government has chosen to shake up their World Environment Day celebrations by celebrating Climate Week (2 - 8 June). The aim of Climate Week is to bring communities together to showcase the State's transition to a low-carbon economy and for leaders to discuss ideas on how to address and adapt to climate change.

NQCC was successful in securing a grant to host a Climate Week event, and we chose to bring Townsville locals together with live entertainment, along with experts and advocates in an outdoor Climate Concert. Our concert was one of 30+ events that took place throughout Queensland, bringing communities together and ramping up the discussion about our collective futures. Due to our action-packed events calendar for June, our event took place a little later in the month (on Sunday the 16th), but our audience didn't seem to mind.

Read the Environment Minister's media release about Queensland Climate Week here. 

In October Bill Ray, the Anglican Bishop of North Queensland, and Tim Harris, the Catholic Bishop of Townsville, released a joint statement “In the Care of our Common Home: Sister Earth”. Recalling numerous past Christian leaders who have reminded us of our inter-connectedness with all of creation they say, “For Christians, this care for our common home is not an optional or secondary part of our daily living, rather it is “an essential part of our faith”. They go on to say that our dominion over the planet needs to be understood in the sense of “responsible stewardship” especially to future generations.

The Bishops' statement also draws attention to Laudato Si – On Care for our Common Home, the document on the environment released by Pope Francis in June 2015. Laudato Si is not addressed to Catholics or Christians alone but to every person in the world – such is Pope Francis’s concern for a planet where we no longer respect Nature as a shared gift.

Divestment Day 2016 is coming up! Here’s a quick guide to what divestment is, the successes that divestment campaigns have had so far, and what we are doing this year.

What’s divestment?

Divestment is the opposite of investment. It’s rearranging your finances so that you aren’t supporting the fossil fuel industry through your bank, investments, superannuation or insurance. We have power as consumers to choose financial services products in-line with our strongly held convictions about climate change.