Strategies in Action
On 27 February 2017, Adam Bandt accepted the 18,101 signatures collected up to that time to petition the Australian Parliament to declare a climate emergency.
Audio recording of the petition hand-over in Canberra (30MB)
Taking climate solutions to Canberra by kayak
Steve Posselt thought his Connecting Climate Chaos journey would be over when he got to Paris in 2005, but it was not. If everything promised at Paris is delivered, the planet will likely see global warming exceed a three degree rise above pre-industrial temperatures. Three degrees Celsius means no Arctic or Antarctic ice, no glaciers, and very likely no humans.
Steve’s climate change trips started when he was 54 and went from Brisbane to Adelaide in the 2007 drought. That was 3,250 kilometres with 1,080 kilometres dragging the kayak. The last effort from Canberra to Paris was only 5,000 kilometres with just a few hundred kilometres dragging, but it did include up the Mississippi in a flood. All up Old Yella has done 11,000 kilometres with another 1,400 kilometres added on the Ballina to Canberra leg.
On New Years Day 2017, Steve Posselt brought out Old Yella for one last time. He started from his home in Ballina, where he recuperated from the gruelling Paris journey, and paddled down the coast to Moruya, where he turned right, then dragged the kayak up to Canberra.
Along the way he spoke with mayors, MPs and media, and also met up with local climate campaigners who helped him collecting on-paper petition signatures to add to those collected online.
As the grand finale to his Connecting Climate Chaos kayak voyages, on Saturday 25 February 2017, Steve paddled along the Molonglo River to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin where he was welcomed by Engineers Australia, Canberra politicians, and supporters. That was followed by a climate emergency and climate solutions forum at ANU organised by the Sustainable Engineering Society. On Monday 27 February he went to the Australian Parliament House where he handed over the Climate Emergency Declaration petition and addressed politicians.
Storify | Takvera
“End of a two month journey for Steve Posselt from Ballina to Canberra in his kayak down the coast of New South Wales. At the end of the trip the petition had gathered 18,101 signatures (with petition still open for signing)…”
“This occasion brought together not just many sides of politics but also involved collaboration between the worlds of engineering and climate emergency declaration campaigning.”
» Storify – 28 February 2017:
Climate Emergency petition delivered to Canberra
Steve Posselt kayak – climate emergency acknowledgment
Motion passed by NSW Legislative Council on 7 March 2017:
“That this House notes that on the first of January this year climate activist and adventurer Steve Posselt began a 1,330 kilometre kayak journey down the NSW coast from Ballina to Moruya and is today pulling his kayak inland to Canberra where later this week he will call on the Federal Government to declare a climate emergency and take urgent action to address climate change.
That this House notes Steve Posselt’s efforts to raise public awareness of the risks from failing to address climate change.”
See more... Steve Posselt’s visit to Sydney and the Opera House More information on www.parramatta.nsw.greens.org.au Steve Posselt’s welcome to Wollongong – on Vimeo | Longer version Short video from our friends at 350 Melbourne: See photos from Steve’s Ballina send-off in northern New South Wales on Sunday 1 January 2017 on www.facebook.com/ClimateEmergencyMobilisation, and see a video of the event – with Dawn Walker MLC – on www.facebook.com/dawn.walkergreens. Diary: Steve Posselt keeps a diary on www.Kayak4Earth.com There will be welcome events and public talks all down the NSW coast. Facebook post to share: Go to Facebook to share the post Go to Twitter to retweet this tweet Click to retweet: Steve’s flyer Click to retweet: Kayak image See more... See the full diary on www.kayak4earth.com/category/diary High resolution photos for download Media release on 29 December 2016: Whiting Beach prepares for climate kayaker’s arrival Media release on 4 November 2016: Paris Not Far Enough – Even in a Kayak 9News “Aussie adventurer Steve Posselt plans to deliver a petition to the federal government calling for action on climate change – with his kayak in tow. Mr Posselt will paddle 12,000km along the New South Wales coast before dragging his kayak all the way to Canberra. “I can only see it as an emergency to do something about it,” Mr Posselt told 9NEWS. “I’ve got five grandchildren and I don’t want them to experience the worst of what can happen.”” » NBN News – 21 January 2017: Presenter Greg Bayliss: “A lot of people are concerned the climate, and degradation of our climate, and many of them are getting their messages to people in power in various ways. Well, Steve Posselt has probably trumped anybody who has gone before by way of delivering his message. He is currently paddling his way along Lake…” The interview starts at the 4:31:04 mark – 4hr 31min 04sec » ABC Saturday Breakfast – 25 February 2017: The District Bulletin “Engineer Steve Posselt worries about climate change. He worries so much that he even paddled his sea-kayak Old Yella in France to Paris for the critical climate change talks in 2015. Posselt believes we are in a state of climate emergency. He says we need to accept the science, ask governments to declare a climate emergency, and immediately mobilise resources at a massive scale.” » The District Bulletin – 12 February 2017: » Share this article on Facebook “Steve Posselt received a warm welcome and farewell at Crookhaven Heads on Sunday, February 5. The kayak adventurer set off from Ballina on New Year’s Day and is on a mission to raise awareness of climate change. He’s out to collect 100,000 signatures for the Climate Emergency Declaration petition, which he’ll deliver to Canberra politicians at the end of his journey.” Steve Posselt kayaks into Culburra on eco mission “Local climate action group Eurobodalla 350.org is gathering people to paddle their canoes and kayaks on the Moruya River to welcome Steve Posselt on February 14 at 12 noon. Steve is paddling his kayak from Ballina to Moruya and then dragging the kayak up to Canberra to deliver the Climate Emergency Declaration petition. Eurobodalla Deputy Mayor, Cr Anthony Mayne will hand Steve a bundle of locally signed petitions to take to Federal Parliament.” » The Beagle Weekly – 3 February 2017: “Kayaker and climate change campaigner Steve Posselt made a safe arrival at Kiama on Thursday night. The stopover was part of his epic kayak journey from his home in Ballina to Parliament House, Canberra. He set out on January 1 and plans to present his petition in Parliament House on February 25. Posselt paddled into Wollongong Harbour on Wednesday. He was welcomed at Kiama Harbour by Kiama Deputy Mayor Kathy Rice, Kiama councillor Andrew Sloan and a crowd of approximately 50 supporters.” » Kiama Independent – 3 February 2017: “A kayaker has arrived in Wollongong during a journey from Ballina to Canberra to deliver a petition on climate change. Steve Posselt’s petition has called on the Federal Government to “declare a climate change emergency and to mobilise resources to restore a safe climate”. The petition has gathered about 12,000 signatures but Steve said he wants 100,000 before he arrives at Parliament House on February 25.” » Prime7 – 2 February 2017: “Steve Posselt paddled into Wollongong harbour on Wednesday and will arrive in Kiama Thursday evening with a message about climate change. » Illawarra Mercury – 2 February 2017: “He’s an eco-warrior and Aussie adventurer who will be kayaking into Newcastle as part of the last leg of a “Connecting Climate Chaos” journey that has taken him around the world. Steve Posselt, 64, has kayaked more than 13,000 kilometres to raise awareness of climate change, including journeying up the Mississippi River, across the Great Lakes of North America, in the Arctic Circle and across the English Channel…” » The Newcastle Herald – 20 January 2017: “He’s a former Port Macquarie resident who is completing the final leg of an epic around the world kayak adventure. The story includes a short video interview » Port Macquarie News – 13 January 2017: Kayak ecowarrier Steve Posselt in Port Macquarie to discuss climate change at the CWA rooms at 6pm. pic.twitter.com/2mwbIFgVtQ — Peter Daniels (@daniels_fairfax) January 12, 2017 “A Ballina man kayaking 1200km down the New South Wales Coast to Canberra to raise awareness for climate change arrived in Port Macquarie this morning.” “Kayak adventurer and ecowarrior, Steve Posselt, has set off on the last leg of his Connecting Climate Chaos journey that has taken him around the world. On New Years Day 2017 he brought out his kayak ‘Old Yella’ for the last time and set off from Ballina to collect 100,000 signatures for the Climate Emergency Declaration petition.” » Camden Haven Courier – 10 January 2017: “Climate change was the topic of discussion as kayaker Steve Posselt paddled into Coffs Harbour on his Climate Emergency Campaign last weekend. Coffs Harbour welcomed the kayaker…” “Kayak adventurer and ecowarrior, Steve Posselt, has set off on the last leg of his Connecting Climate Chaos journey that has taken him around the world. On New Years Day 2017 he brought out his kayak ‘Old Yella’ for the last time and…” » Port Macquarie News – 9 January 2017: “2016 was a year of damaging storms, droughts, heat waves and catastrophic coral bleaching. One adventure activist is on a kayaking mission, determined to make the Federal Government take climate change seriously…” Includes a 1:45 min video report about and with Steve Posselt » NBN News – 7 January 2017: “He’s battling southerly winds and dodgy knees but Steve Posselt is on a mission to raise awareness of climate change. The kayak adventurer set off from Ballina on New Year’s Day and will stop in Nowra during his eight week journey to Canberra…” » South Coast Register – 4 January 2017: “Guardian Angel Anne Thompson waved off kayaker and environmental activist Steve Posselt from Ballina on New Years Day on the final leg of his Connecting Climate Chaos trip around the world….” » Echo NetDaily – 4 January 2017: “Driving rain and a thunderstorm at his back had little effect on Steve Posselt’s kayak into Yamba’s Whiting Beach on Monday. The 64-year-old climate change activist had already been surrounded by water for two days, with many more to come….” » Daily Examiner – 3 January 2017: “A Lismore eco-warrior has had an impressive send off in Ballina today, as he heads off on a mammoth kayak journey.” “A former Grafton High School student has learned a thing or two about the effects of climate change and he will take to the water in his canoe “Old Yella” to spread the word. He expects to arrive in Yamba at about 5pm on Monday after setting out from Ballina on New Years Day on the last leg of his Connecting Climate Chaos journey that has taken him around the world…” “Coffs Harbour will be paid a visit by legendary Kayaker Steve Posselt next week. On a mission to deliver a national petition calling for the declaration of a climate emergency, Steve will travel from Ballina to Canberra….” » Coffs Coast Advocate – 29 December 2016: “‘If we do everything we committed to in Paris we are dead meat,’ said local Ballina climate warrior Steve Posselt. This is the reason Steve is bringing his kayak, Old Yella, out for one last trip – because current commitments to reduce greenhouse gasses are just not enough…” » Radio Adelaide – 11 December 2016: » Podcast audio file (mp3, 11 min) » The Sustainable Hour on 94.7 The Pulse – 2 November 2016: » Podcast audio file (mp3, 3 min)
Photos and updates
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Glimpses from Steve’s diary
the Federal Parliament) and George Takacs (Greens Councillor) 
– Left: Gail
Steve’s itinerary
Jan 1: Ballina to Evans Head – Ballina send-off flotilla 1:00pm
Jan 2: Evans Head to Yamba – Whiting Beach 5:00pm, details TBA
Jan 3: Yamba to Sandon
Jan 4: Sandon River to Minnie Water
Jan 5: Float
Jan 6: Minnie Water to Woolgoolga
Jan 7: Woolgoolga to Coffs Harbour – Coffs Harbour welcome flotilla 3:00pm
Jan 8: Coffs Harbour to Nabucca Heads
Jan 9: Float – Welcome Steve Posselt Kayak4Earth to Nambucca Heads 5:30pm
Jan 10: Nambucca Heads to South West Rocks
Jan 11: South West Rocks to Crescent Head
Jan 12: Crescent Head to Port Macquarie
Jan 13: Float – Port Macquarie Kayak4Earth public talk 6:00pm
Jan 14: Float – Port Macquarie welcome flotilla 1:00pm
Jan 15: Port Macquarie to North Haven
Jan 16: North Haven to Harrington
Jan 17: Harrington to Forster
Jan 18: Forster & Seal Rocks
Jan 19: Seal Rocks to Shoal Bay
Jan 20: Shoal Bay to Newcastle
Jan 21: Float – Newcastle Welcomes Steve Posselt Kayak4Earth 10:00am
Jan 22: Newcastle to Belmont
Jan 23: Belmont to Nora Head
Jan 24: Nora Head to Terrigal – Terrigal welcomes Steve Posselt Kayak4Earth 3:00pm
Jan 25: Terrigal to Palm Beach
Jan 26: Palm Beach to Shelly Beach – Welcome Steve Posselt to Shelly Beach 10:00am
Jan 27: Float
Jan 28: Shelly Beach to Sydney Opera House – Sydney Welcomes Steve Posselt Kayak4Earth 10:00am
Jan 29: Sydney Harbour to Cronulla
Jan 30: Float
Jan 31: Cronulla to Coal Cliff
Feb 1: Coal Cliff to Wollongong – Welcome Steve Posselt to Wollongong 6:00pm
Feb 2: Wollongong to Kiama – Kiama Welcomes Steve Posselt 6:00pm
Feb 3: Kiama to Shoalhaven Heads
Feb 4: Shoalhaven Heads to Nowra – Shoalhaven welcomes Steve 4pm
Feb 5: Culburra to Hyams Beach – Nowra send-off for Steve 8:30am
Shoalhaven Transition welcomes Steve to Hyams Beach 4:30pm
Feb 6: Hyams Beach to Manyana
Feb 7: Manyana to Ulladulla – Ulladulla welcomes Steve Posselt Kayak4Earth 6:00pm
Feb 8: Ulladulla to Lake Tabourie
Feb 9: Lake Tabourie to Batemans Bay
Feb 13: Batemans Bay to Moruya Bridge
Feb 14: Moruya Boat Ramp, Riverside Park – 350Eurobodalla welcomes Steve to Moruya 12 noon
Feb 15: Paddle to Araluen Rd then start walk
Feb 17: Moruya picnic and talk: Steve Posselt’s Climate Story – His Kayak Odyssey 6:00pm
Feb 18: Araluen
Feb 25: Canberra – Kayak4Earth Canberra finale and petition hand-over 10:30am
Media coverage – TV
» 9News – 17 February 2017:
After paddling 12,000km, this man will drag his kayak to Canberra (video)
NBN News’ Renee Fedder produced this report on 21 January 2017 when Steve Posselt arrived in Newcastle – the halfway mark of his journey to the nation’s capital.
Climate Change Campaigner on a Mission (video)
Newspapers, magazines and radio
Steve Posselt trumps anybody by way of delivering his message
Steve Posselt kayaks into Culburra on eco mission
South Coast Register
» South Coast Register – 6 February 2017:
The Beagle Weekly
Epic Kayak 4 Earth trip arrives Moruya 14 February for Climate Emergency petition
Kiama Independent
Marathon kayaker Steve Posselt welcomed to Kiama
Prime7
Wollongong welcomes marathon kayaker
Illawarra Mercury
The 64-year-old is kayaking from Ballina to Canberra gathering signatures to declare climate change an emergency.”
Climate campaigner paddles from Ballina to Canberra
The Newcastle Herald
Kayak to Canberra for climate change
Port Macquarie News
And it’s all in the name of climate change. During his adventure Steve Posselt has battled…”
Former Port Macquarie man Steve Posselt paddling to Canberra
Twitter post with short video interview with Steve Posselt recorded by Peter Daniels who works for Fairfax Media in Port Macquarie and the wider Hastings area.
Triple M 106.3
» Triple M 106.3 – 13 January 2017:
Climate Campaigner Paddles into Port
Camden Haven Courier
Ecowarrior Steve Posselt paddles into Port Macquarie
Coffs Coast Advocate
» Coffs Coast Advocate – 10 January 2017:
Kayaking for the environment
Port Macquarie News
Ecowarrior Steve Posselt paddles into Port Macquarie
NBN News
Man on a Mission
South Coast Register
Climate change powers Steve’s journey to collect 100,000 signatures
Echo NetDaily
Angelic Sendoff for Climate Paddler
Daily Examiner
Paddle powering on way to Canberra
NBN News
» NBN News – 3 January 2017:
Eco-Paddler Heads to Parliament
The Daily Examiner
» The Daily Examiner – 31 December 2016:
Paddler on journey to raise climate change awareness
Coffs Coast Advocate
On a mission for Climate change
Echo Netdaily
» Echo Netdaily – 20 December 2016:
Climate change – time to fix it
The climate emergency, a man and his kayak
Climate emergency kayak odyssey: Steve Posselt
