THE Perth Hills environment has found a voice through the Perth Hills Climate Change Interest Group (PHCCIG), a volunteer group dedicated to protecting the area from the impacts of climate change.

Part of the Shire of Mundaring’s environmental advocacy group, representatives from the Perth Hills group help to advise the shire on the best steps to take to deal with climate change in the Hills community, and many of their recommendations have been implemented.

These include the introduction of an electric vehicle fleet for the shire council and use of FOGO bins.

Group chair Lynda Winter said she was encouraged that the shire was taking action on climate issues.

“PHCCIG history of advocacy with the Shire of Mundaring has been really positive – we were invited to attend EAG meetings as observers and also met with the environmental officer several times to discuss climate issues and she has been very supportive of our ideas,” she said.

The group has also suggested that the council start setting a pathway to net zero emissions and encourage small action and adaptation to a rapidly changing climate.

A big focus for climate advocacy groups in WA in recent months has been the ‘go beyond gas’ campaign.

Ms Winter said last year saw the biggest surge in greenhouse gas emissions around the world and Australia was floating closer and closer to the centre of this.

“Australia’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions per capita are among the highest in the world and Australia is also one of the world’s largest exporters of fossil fuels,” she said.

“WA’s natural environment is facing the compounding impacts of climate change, land-clearing and industrialisation.”

She said scientists and advocates alike were begging both state and federal governments to intervene.

“A meaningful intervention to ensure the long-term health and resilience of the state’s spectacular and globally unique natural environment requires a strong, independent EPA backed up by strong nature laws,” she said.

“Our community especially in the hills is on the frontline of witnessing the changes and impacts to nature caused by human induced climate change.

“The conservation council of WA have led the charge in questioning government changes to the WA Environmental Protection Act, as changes proposed to the legislation will slash environmental protections, gut the independence of the Environmental Protection Authority and fast-track project approvals by allowing the EPA board to be filled with industry representatives and issuing statements of intent to direct the EPA’s priorities.”

The group, along with the Climate Council of WA, has been campaigning for stronger environment protection laws rather than weaker ones.

“The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is currently being debated in parliament with proposed laws to create an independent environmental regulator,” Ms Winter said.

“This is critical legislation which is long overdue but again could be watered down to suit fossil fuel and big corporate interests at the expense of the environment.”

Ms Winter said it was important for everyone to be involved in climate activism, to protect the world we live in.

“We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to leave this planet in a liveable state,” she said.

PHCCIG’s annual general meeting will be held at the Kalamunda Hotel this Friday, November 29.

The meeting will run from 6pm to 7.30pm, and Ms Winter said she encouraged anyone interested to come along.

Guest speaker Kevin Mack from Sustainable Bayswater will give an overview of the benefits of electrifying households.