No longer just 1000 photographs – but 1,248 images with written text – the #EverydayClimateCrisis visual petition has grown so quickly, bringing together the visual evidence of what Australian women have seen of climate change since the 2019-2020 Bushfires.
If a picture speaks a thousand words, what might 1,248 images tell our elected representatives???!
Read on!
During Black Summer‘s devastating fire season, Queanbeyan-based photographer Hilary Wardhaugh came across the spectre of millions of ladybirds washed up, lying dead amongst the ash that carpeted the beach at Potato Point.
Hilary was so affected that she took a photograph. Its impact is still radiating outwards and onwards today, with Hilary establishing the #EverydayClimateCrisis visual petition, an initiative to crowdsource 1000 photographs of the climate crisis – taken by women and non-binary contributors – and soon to be presented to the Federal Parliament.
The photographs submitted are compelling. And offer as Hilary describes ‘a visual response to the Australian government’s climate change policies.’ She wants an Australian Prime Minister and the Federal Parliament to truly see the realities of the climate emergency through this visual petition.
The photograph taken by Hilary Wardhaugh of countless ladybirds and ash at Potato Point that started the #EverydayClimateCrisis visual petition
The project also gives a voice through photography and creativity, transforming a sense of helplessness into action. Contributions have come from both amateur and professional photographers from all over Australia.
See a preview on instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/everydayclimatecrisis/
Through the click of a mobile button or a camera shutter, the everyday experiences of the climate crisis, seen through everyday eyes, finds voice. This is so empowering.
In an interview with the ABC, Hilary described the pivotal moment of reckoning she experienced here on Eurobodalla’s beaches during the 2019/2020 Fires.
“[I saw] lots of ash everywhere along the beach, and within the ash were millions of ladybirds. You could still see them, so they hadn’t been burnt, but they were all dead. It was heartbreaking, and that’s why I wanted to start this project.” she said.
You can explore more about the #EverydayClimateCrisisVisualPetition here
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-19/climate-change-photo-petition-parliament-/100841864
Watch Hilary Wardaugh speak about the aims of her project – and the ongoing vision for future themes.
WOOEE is looking forward to meeting up with Hilary when she next visits Eurobodalla, Yuin Country! And we’ll share news when the #EverydayClimateCrisis visual petition is presented to Parliament.
“The 2019-2020 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires that burned across the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley affected more than one million hectares and impacted approximately 47 estuaries and coastal catchments.” bushfire-affected-coastal-waterways
READY SET GO!
UPDATE 7 June
The Everyday Climate Crisis visual petition is ready to be presented to a new Parliament, a new government and independent cross benchers on Thursday 9 June 2022! Details here.
While the new government has committed to action on climate, the petition emphasises that more, URGENT action is needed:
WOOEE
April 2022, Updated June 7 2022