The Macedon Ranges Sustainable Living Festival is set to return in February 2015. But this time there’s something different.

Is it possible that the Macedon Ranges Sustainable Living Festival has been affected by climate change?

With 2014 likely to be, globally, the hottest year on record and as the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events increase, the effects of climate change are being felt everywhere.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported that more than 150 records were broken across Australia during the Angry Summer of 2013/14. Melbourne and the Macedon Ranges endured a record heatwave, with four days in a row over 40°C.

So, with a new date at the end of February, the organisers hope to avoid the very warm weather and extreme fire danger that Festival visitors experienced over the last two years.

Festival coordinator, Alastair Fleming said, “We hope festival goers will be able enjoy what’s on show in more comfortable conditions.”

“With this year’s theme, Climate Leadership: Celebrating Local Heroes, we are encouraging visitors to pledge personal acts of climate leadership.”

“Perhaps visitors could use the Festival as an opportunity to take action on climate change and discover that it’s possible to save money while helping to save the planet.”

Around the world, citizens from all walks of life are taking action to protect their environment, to reduce their carbon emissions and to create more sustainable ways of life.

The good news is, according to Al Gore, “we have everything we need now to respond to the challenge… We have all the technologies we need; more are being developed… But we should not wait, we cannot wait, we must not wait.”

And with the 6th annual Macedon Ranges Sustainable Living Festival, the Macedon Ranges community can get involved at a local level.

According to Macedon Ranges sustainability Group President, Ralf Thesing, “Action to reduce your waste, permaculture gardening and growing your own food all contribute to a smaller carbon footprint, and getting involved with community action, animal welfare and social justice groups helps spread the word, encouraging others to join in.”

“I think a lot of people are just not sure how all these things relate to action on climate change, but hopefully what visitors will take away from the Festival will help to demystify that notion and show that a lot of little things can add up, collectively, to serious action.”

The Festival starts at 10 am on Saturday 28th February at the Community Garden behind the Woodend Community Hub, 47 Forest St Woodend. Entry for adults is $5. MRSG members and Children under 18 are free.

TAKE ACTION:

• RSVP on Facebook
• Sign our petition calling for the Andrews government to show leadership on renewable energy and climate change.
• Support our campaign by getting involved or making a donation.
• Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter