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MEDIA ALERT – PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Thursday 18 December 2009
Bells of hope ring out for climate deal
Hundreds of Victorians will join community leaders to show their solidarity in reaching a fair and just
climate change agreement in Copenhagen at a vigil at Federation Square tomorrow, where they will ring
hundreds of bells, along with those of St Paul’s Cathedral.
World Vision’s CEO Tim Costello said instead of standing by in silence, we’re asking people to come to
Federation Square to ring bells of hope for a climate change deal.
“In addition to attending the vigil we’re also urging people to send a message of hope to our Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd in Copenhagen through Twitter, with messages appearing on the main screen at
Federation Square.
“The poor are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and are already feeling its impacts.
Australia and other rich nations are also not immune and need to acknowledge we’re all part of the same
global village.”
Don Henry, Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said in the final hours of
Copenhagen negotiations, this was our chance to show our leaders that we want, and expect, a strong
global climate agreement.
“Three quarters of Australians support and want to see effective climate action,” Mr Henry said. “Being the
driest continent on earth, we have a lot to lose from catastrophic climate change.”
Who:
World Vision and ACF in conjunction with Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC),
Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, and Uniting Church in Victoria
What:
People from all walks of life are coming together with humanitarian organisations, youth
groups, environmentalists, and faith-based groups, corporations.
St Paul’s Cathedral bells will toll at 1pm. The crowd will ring hundreds of bells
following an address from the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier and
Tuvalu citizen and climate change activist, Leah Avenue.
When:
Friday 18 December, 1.00pm – 1.30pm
Where:
Federation Square, Melbourne
Media contacts:
Dominic McInerney, World Vision
0428 584 809 dominic.mcinerney@worldvision.com.au
Tara Crowe, World Vision
0427 883 700 tara.crowe@worldvision.com.au
Kate Fenby, ACF
0400 926 675 k.fenby@acfonline.org.au
NEWS 
