Former Parkes local Simone Concha (nee Rhodes), daughter of Julie and John Rhodes of Gunningbland, spent a day with the former US Vice President training to become a national Climate Reality Leader.
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She was one of almost 500 people from 30 countries trained by Mr Gore.
Simone said Al Gore was compelling and inspiring.
“I felt in awe of his persistence and dedication to spreading the message of climate change for so many years,” Simone said.
“He made me feel empowered that we can all work together to benefit our families, our towns, our countries and the world.”
While in Australia, Gore helped support three key climate policies.
Australia is now in a critical position to decide its national and international obligations to limit global warming.
A new senate is sitting to decide our climate future.
Simone said the long term benefit to Australia of strong, urgent action on climate change is compelling, both financially and environmentally.
“We must create policies that point us firmly in the direction of increasing renewable energy sources and charging for pollution of the atmosphere with carbon dioxide. It is no longer acceptable to use the air as a free garbage dump,” she said.
The rest of the world is moving towards essential legislation to reduce carbon emissions.
“Why is Australia going backwards on working climate laws?
“I feel really strongly about saving our natural beauty in Australia.
“I was brought up on a farm in Gunningbland, Central Western NSW, and I was blessed to live my childhood surrounded by fresh air, wildlife and exquisite natural scenery,” Simone said.
“I have been horrified by the threat of climate change in our farming areas, where they are already doing it tough.
The impacts of climate change on rural areas include increased bushfires, increased number of hot days, reduced rainfall and soil moisture and heat stress to crops.
“When I signed up for the training I learned that a 1 degree increase in temperature can reduce soil moisture by 9% and that heat stress can reduce wheat yield by a third.
“Many farmers are already feeling the effects of climate change and there is so much we can do to stop it,” she said.
The Climate Leaders work to inform and engage their networks and communities in bringing about a more rapid response to climate change.
The Climate Reality Project is Mr Gore’s climate change leadership program.
In partnership with the Australian Conservation Foundation, TCRP’s mission is to educate the public about the harmful effects of global warming and to work toward solutions at a grassroots level worldwide.
“The opportunity to meet with hundreds of like-minded passionate people was invigorating. I plan to use this inspirational training to speak to my local politicians, schools and community organisations to have us working together towards a low carbon future that we can all thrive in and be proud of,” Simone said.
