Wildlife Matters a ‘no-brainer’ – August 2017

“Pat Cash and I started Planet Ark after getting drunk one night in 1992. We both felt that there needed to be an organisation that could promote positive solutions,” says celebrity guest speaker at Wildlife Matters, Jon Dee.

“Pat Cash and I started Planet Ark after getting drunk one night in 1992. We both felt that there needed to be an organisation that could promote positive solutions,” says celebrity guest speaker at Wildlife Matters, Jon Dee. Photo: Australia Unlimited

With only two weeks to go until Wildlife Queensland’s climate change symposium and fundraising dinner, celebrity guest speaker Jon Dee (co-founder of Planet Ark, managing director of environmental lobby group Do Something and founder of the National Plastic Bag Campaign) gets ready to talk renewables at Wildlife Matters: in a Climate of Change, branding his backing of the event a ‘no-brainer’.

“Are we doing enough to protect our wildlife?” poses the well-known environmental and social campaigner. “No.”

“Australians talk passionately about protecting our wildlife and why it’s so important,” said Jon. “Yet we still have a situation where development is eroding wildlife habitat.”

Of the motivation for his willing involvement in Wildlife Matters – for which Wildlife Queensland is extremely grateful – Jon said, “Giving my time to help this fundraiser is a no-brainer…”

“I particularly want to show people that there are really positive things happening in the move to reduce emissions and energy use. I’ve just written and presented 100 episodes of my Smart Money programme on Sky News Business Channel and have been happily surprised by how positively things are moving,” he said.

“There are now 100 multinational companies who have pledged to be 100 percent renewable with their energy supplies. Half of those will achieve that by 2020.”

Joining Jon Dee are three more fantastic speakers recently added to the symposium’s cutting-edge line-up. From a farmer fighting Adani’s Carmichael Coalmine project to a leading researcher of the impacts of marine pollution, the presenters at Wildlife Matters are poised to address the issues that matter most to our endangered wildlife – right here, right now. The event will even feature a live native animal or two – the very inspiration for the ongoing work of Wildlife Queensland and the Wildlife Matters event.

When mulling over the motivation for his long list of environmental accomplishments for his country, Jon reminisced, “Pat Cash and I started Planet Ark after getting drunk one night in 1992. We both felt that there needed to be an organisation that could promote positive solutions.”

Jon and Pat then went on to set up DoSomething to bring about further positive social and environmental change. And, after founding and fronting National Tree Day for the first ten million trees with Olivia Newton-Jon, Jon and Olivia went on to start One Tree Per Child.

“Our aim with that is to get every child planting at least one tree,” he said. “By involving children in the creation of habitat they can directly help wildlife in the most positive way. We’re very proud that this project is now planting trees in nine countries.”

But in returning to his original question, Jon reiterates, “Are we doing enough to protect our wildlife? Definitely not. That’s why we need wildlife organisations across Australia who can keep the pressure on.”

“We all need to do what we can to get money in the door for wildlife organisations,” he said.

“The public is clearly interested in learning about and supporting our native plants and animals,” said Wildlife Queensland President Peter Ogilvie. “Attending this half-day symposium and dinner is a great way for people to show their support for our wildlife and learn a lot about their natural world. We urge everyone to come along and help us make a difference.”

Those who haven’t yet booked tickets to Wildlife Matters: In a Climate of Change yet can do so right here through TryBooking.com.

 

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE WILDLIFE EVENT OF THE YEAR!

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