Over the past few weeks, over a thousand of you took the time to write to the Senate Inquiry on the overhaul of our national nature law. I read every single submission.
It was genuinely inspiring to see the heart, clarity and courage you poured into your messages. You came from every age group and from communities all over the country. You are students, farmers, grandparents, bushfire survivors and scientists. Many of you told stories of the places you love, the wildlife you want to protect and the future you want for the next generation.
Spotted-tail quolls are threatened and severely impacted by deforestation. © Lachlan L. Hall / Greenpeace
Your submissions showed that when we act together, shoulder to shoulder, we are powerful. You are part of a community that refuses to accept the destruction of our forests as normal. You reminded decision makers that environmental protection laws have one job: to protect the environment.
In reading your submissions, one theme stood out. Our shared love for forests runs deep, and the care you expressed for wildlife, a safe climate, and future generations was clear. You spoke of powerful owls, quolls and gang-gang cockatoos. You spoke of the loss of old growth forests and the heartbreak of watching them destroyed for low value products like toilet paper and woodchips.
Piles of trees rotting and on fire, following a deforestation event in Queensland. © Paul Hilton / Greenpeace
Near my own home, ancient trees continue to fall and threatened species lose what little habitat remains. Our current nature law allows agricultural deforestation and native forest logging to continue without proper oversight. With your support, we are hopeful that will finally change.
Your messages to decision makers
Here are just a few of your powerful submissions:
Please have the foresight and the courage to improve the laws protecting our environment.
Younger generations are losing faith in their future, and who can blame them? We have shown them that inaction is acceptable, and that profit outweighs protection. If we are to restore hope, we must model it through positive action and courageous, prosocial policymaking.
Help not just us, but the koalas, the Corroboree frog, and the famous Tazzie devil. © Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Imag
I cannot expect everything to go our way, but I do expect change. I do expect the extinction rates to go down, even by a bit. And I do expect you to review the reform and help not just us, but the koalas, the corroboree frog, and the famous tazzie devil.
The consequences of deforestation are far greater than any short term rewards. Please take urgent action to protect our forests and the wildlife that depend on them. I speak on behalf of my generation and the generations to come when I ask you to put an end to deforestation and its destructive impacts.
Your voices matter
Australia remains a global deforestation hotspot with one native animal killed every single second due to deforestation. Closing the loopholes that allow deforestation is essential if we want laws that actually protect nature. Parliament must now work together to fix the significant shortcomings in the proposed nature law reforms and deliver an environmental law that lives up to its name.
Thank you for everything you do for people and the planet. Your submissions showed leadership, compassion and determination. They reminded us that change is possible when communities refuse to stay silent.
Your voice matters © Greenpeace / Alana Holmberg
Stay tuned for the outcome of the final reforms to the nature law. Greenpeace will continue to hold the government accountable in their implementation of these reforms, and we will keep pushing for strong nature protection in every forum and every avenue we can: on the streets and in the halls of parliament.
Together, we can keep forests standing, wildlife thriving and the Great Barrier Reef protected. Taking action to halt the climate and nature crises will help secure a safe and liveable future for all of us.
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