Climate Change forum first for Gladstone

Conservation Volunteers Australia and Shell joined together, as part of their Shell EcoVolunteers programme, to create an opportunity for key people in this region to come together to discuss important local environmental issues.

Designed to help increase understanding of the impacts of climate change, the importance of biodiversity and to encourage local action, the forum was attended by a range of delegates including representatives from industry, government and the community.

“By providing the opportunity for key local stakeholders in the Gladstone region to come together, listen, talk and decide actions, both Conservation Volunteers and Shell ultimately hope to play a role in helping species and ecosystems increase their capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change,” said Mr Gerry Morvell, Chairman of Conservation Volunteers.

Professor Bob Miles, Executive Director, Miles Consulting Services - and past Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Regional Development, Central Queensland University spoke at the forum about the importance of local action for this global issue. 

"It’s great to come into a community and see true willingness for industry, community and government to work together in adapting to climate change. Shell and Conservation Volunteers are to be commended for initiating such a positive interaction. A forum of this type plays a role in both educating the community about the changing climate and the importance of biodiversity.”

Assoc. Professor Peter Waterman presented the concept of “Climate Proofing”, which Deputy Mayor Gail Sellers agrees could be the next step for Gladstone Regional Council.

"This forum was beneficial as it enabled us to sit down with industry and the community to look at what steps we might take to 'Climate Proof' the region," Cr Sellers said. "It essentially gave us a roadmap, tools and helped develop relationships to enable us to take some first steps on Climate Proofing."

"We discussed how our Gladstone Region Visioning Panel, which is currently being established by Council, may be used to filter ideas and channel them into actionable 'Climate Proofing' events."

Shell and Conservation Volunteers have been associated for 20 years. Their latest initiative, Shell EcoVolunteers, encourages communities to be involved in addressing the impact of climate change at a local level. In addition to climate change forums around Australia, Shell EcoVolunteers is focused on three important sites including work to increase and improve habitat for upland tropical rainforest fauna in Queensland.

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