Inaugural Geelong climate change festival this weekend
14-year-old high school student to take centre stage on Friday’s opening night
Colourful festival will have activities and positive solutions so Geelong residents can take action

Jack Nyhof might be only 14 but on Friday he will take the stage alongside the Victorian Minister for Climate, a world-renowned climate scientist and other experts to deliver a key note speech at the opening night of the Act on Climate Festival in Geelong.

Jack is a student at Geelong High School and as an advocate for climate action he already stands out at a national level. Cool Australia, which provides educational material to 200,000 Australian students, recently elected him as ‘Top Student Leader 2016’.

Jack said it was up to the whole Geelong community to get involved in taking action on climate change.

“The youth – we are the future, so we ought to have a say in this. In that sense, it is about justice too. It’s only together, united, we can can make change. We can’t expect our politicians to act on climate as long as most of us are not actively engaged in this work ourselves.”

“So it’s about coming together and having a bit of a laugh and fun on the way. We have a voice, and together we will use it now to get Geelong to Act on Climate. For me it’s about protecting life on Earth – not only for my future, but for my children’s and their children’s future. Every lifeform, big or small,” Jack said.

Jack runs a community radio show on 94.7 The Pulse, he has founded a group called Earth People Animals, is a member of the new Geelong City Youth Environment Action Group as well as the Australia Youth Climate Coalition, and he acts an Ambassador for the Act On Climate Team which is signed up for Run Geelong on Sunday.

Festival encourages us to act on climate

Several thousands of Geelong residents are expected to turn out to Geelong’s inaugural Act on Climate Change festival this weekend.

The timing of the event is pointing to the UN Summit in Paris which starts in two weeks. The purpose of the festival is to showcase positive solutions that not only reduces our carbon footprint but also saves us money and creates new jobs.

The Act on Climate Festival will be officially launched on Friday night at Simonds Stadium where Victorian Minister for Climate Lisa Neville will speak and be joined by Councillor Andy Richards, climate scientist David Karoly, former CEO of VIC Super Bob Welsh, Australian Conservation Foundation climate manager Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, ClimateWorks engagement manager Adam Majcher and teen sustainability change-maker Jack Nyhof, among others.

On Saturday, a family fun event with market stalls, music, face painting and other activities will roll out on the Geelong waterfront at Steampacket Gardens. The event has free admission and features performances by South Geelong Primary School Choir, The Solar Buskers, Geelong Folk Music Club, and more.

Monday evening highlights the Geelong premiere of the American film ‘This Changes Everything’. A panel lead by Doug Mann will be discussing the film afterwards. The speakers include Cr Andy Richards, Rev Peter Martin, and Climate Reality Leader Sam Smith. Venue: Courthouse. Tickets: $15

» Festival home page:
www.actonclimatefestival.org

» Appendix to media release:
Why we need to act on climate

» Photo material in high resolution for media use:
www.actonclimatefestival.org/photos