Our climate on the line on Saturday - rally to save CSIRO jobs

Our climate goes on the line on Saturday.

A little dramatic maybe, but for some that is how it feels.

The early February decision of CSIRO CEO, Dr. Larry Marshall, reaches something of a climax on Saturday, April 2, when people will gather outside Melbourne’s Swanston Street State Library to show and voice their displeasure.

 It was on February 4 that the CSIRO boss announced the mass axing of 350 scientists.

The rally will hear how the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and his ministers have raided the CSIRO of the funding it needs to continue critical climate research.
Critics say this attack on climate science and environmental research compounding the untold damage already done to public science.

The Victorian Climate Action Network (VCAN) says these cuts to jobs and funding will further undermine Australia’s science capability that been built up over decades and will have an impact on many future generations.

Saturday’s rally begins at midday.

John Pettigrew tells 30 000 of a farmer's climate trials

A scene from the People's Climate March outside
parliamentary house in Spring St, Melbourne.

Beneath the Wisteria supporter and Slap Tomorrow president, John Pettigrew, was among the speakers at yesterday’s People’s Climate March in Melbourne.

John, representing the Environmental Farmers Network, told the huge crowd gathered at Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens following the March about the challenges and difficulties climate change was bringing to famers everywhere.

The estimated 30 000 people, who had walked from Melbourne’s State Library in Swanston St to the gardens, were demanding that the government act to help Australians confront the world’s changing climate.

Today’s Melbourne age reported on the march, which was a part of a world-wide movement, in a story headed: “Melbourne rally for climate change action attracts 30,000 people”.