We couldn’t have picked a better summers evening to launch our Changing Climates photo exhibition. The backdrop was Sydney’s beautiful Botanical Gardens and by sunset the food and wine were flowing. The speakers were Julian Burnside AO QC and our very own climate campaigner John Hepburn.
Never mind the race that stopped the nation, this was the place to be on Tuesday 1 November.
The exhibition showcases a selection of powerful images from award-winning photographers around the globe capturing extreme weather events and their aftermath. The images explore the essence of climate change – the people and places, impacts and actions.
Just recently photographer Daniel Beltrá won the 2011 Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year Award for his pictures of the BP oil spill back in April 2010 – some photos from this portfolio feature in Changing Climates.
As Australia passes an historic tax on a price on carbon pollution, the images show exactly what is at stake.
Julian’s speech was one we could all identify with. He spoke about the need to protect the planet for our children and confessed that taking a risk against the reality of climate change was not something which he was prepared to gamble on.
John also spoke passionately about how he felt about climate change, a price on carbon pollution and how our campaigns against new coal plants in Australia are tracking. He also updated supporters on the direction our climate campaign is headed and both John and Julian took questions.
There’s nothing better after months of planning than watching a project come to life and seeing our supporters enjoying themselves. Congratulations to all the team involved, it really was a brilliant evening.
The exhibition is staffed every day by Greenpeace volunteers and runs from Wednesday 2 until Monday 14 November so if you’re in Sydney come down and say hi and take a look at the photos. They’re hanging in the Palm House in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Opening times are 10am – 4pm and admission is free.
