MEDIA RELEASE 

THE #EVERYDAYCLIMATECRISIS VISUAL PETITION

Brainchild of Canberra photographer Hilary Wardhaugh, the #everydayclimatecrisis Visual Petition brings together 1247 crowd-sourced images from women and non-binary photographers all over Australia visualising the effects of climate change happening right now. This catalogue of images is addressed to the Australian Government and their inadequate action on climate policy. If a picture is worth 1000 words, then 1000 pictures are shouting bloody murder from the rooftops. 

The petition was formally launched at PhotoAccess by the Hon. Linda Burney MP on Thursday 10th February 2022. The opening was followed by an inspiring panel discussion on the the possibilities for change that exist at the intersection of climate, science, feminism and photography and concluded with an exclusive screening of 150 carefully curated images from the petition, accompanied by a music by A Chorus of Women.

Drawing from the old adage that ‘a picture is worth a 1000 words’ the aim was to get 1000 images which metaphorically equates to 1,000,000 words and collectively having 1000 images responding to the climate crisis, from women all over Australia will become a powerful feminist document! 

It was an egalitarian approach to photography and asks for personal, local images and creations to be used in protest and to humanise the issue, for the greater good. I call it photo activism. It is speaking truth to Power, by women and non-binary people. It is actual evidence, not just a signature! 

In the Petition title the word “everyday” is used. It is not the intention that the images are photographically or contextually ordinary, but it does mean that images illustrating the effects of climate change are seen “everyday” or more importantly that many of us think about this climate crisis “everyday”. Ironically, it is not everyday we have a climate crisis. This is a one off; our only chance. 

“it is not everyday we have a climate crisis” 

The #everydayclimatecrisis Visual Petition allows women to be seen, heard and considered and challenges the industrial, capitalist and economic systems that have gotten us to this point. 

With the images submitted each woman* is also asked to list their demands for Government policy change change and these can be read here.  Check out The #everydaycliamtecrisis Visual Petition GALLERY for media here 

The aim of the Petition was to have it ‘tabled’ to Parliament. I had the hope that the petition would be waved around in Question Time, rather than a lump of coal! The Handover was Thursday 9th June at Parliament House in Federation Mall, with Senator David Pocock, Alicia Payne MP for Canberra, Hon Kristy McBain MP and  Hon Andrew Leigh MP in attendance.

The #everydaylimatecrisis Visual petition was tabled in the House of Representatives on the 28th July.