#OnMyAgenda: Thousands back climate change discussion

AMY MITCHELL-WHITTINGTON

South Australian Farmer David Bruer today handed over a 40,000-strong petition to Brisbane Airport asking for a reversal of the #onmyagenda billboard restriction.

Mr Bruer, who lost $25,000 worth of grapes in one day last year due to extreme temperature changes, features in a billboard that was rejected by Brisbane Airport last week.

The Brisbane Airport Corporation ruled that the billboards, which quote the hashtag #onmyagenda, were ‘political’ and as they had a policy not to run any political advertising the billboards were ordered to be removed.

Mr Bruer represents the majority of farmers in Australia whose livelihoods are deeply affected by climate change.

The billboard asks people to tweet G20 leaders asking them to put climate change ‘on the agenda’ for discussion.

World Wildlife Fund CEO Dermot O’Gorman said there was still time for the billboard to go up to let world leaders know the Australian public wanted climate change to be on the G20 agenda.

“We wanted Brisbane Airport to know that people in the community believe we should be given a fair go and our billboard should appear at the Arrivals terminal,” Mr O’Gorman said.

“If left unchecked climate change could cost trillions of dollars in damage and lost revenue. There’s still time for world leaders to take note and prioritise discussion on climate change at the Brisbane G20 Leaders’ Summit.”

Mr Bruer said climate change not only effected farmers like himself, but would heavily impact the children of the future.

“I really fear for the next generations, the world’s children and grandchildren will pay dearly if we don’t take stronger action,” Mr Bruer said.

“World leaders are meeting face-to-face and it will be a lost opportunity if they don’t talk climate change.”