MORE than 250 people at a weekend rally backed a call for strong action to address climate change.
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Climate Change Australia - Hastings Branch organised The People's Climate March on Saturday to coincide with a weekend of events across the world ahead of the United Nations climate talks in Paris.
The crowd marched from Westport Park along the foreshore to the Town Green for the rally with speakers and a climate rap performed by Climate Change Australia Hastings - Branch president Harry Creamer.
Climate Change Australia - Hastings Branch member Angela Frimberger said polls showed the majority of Australians wanted more action to reduce carbon emissions.
Dr Frimberger said emission reduction must not be a box ticking exercise.
She said supporters were sending political leaders a message to think big and keep up the biggest effort possible after the United Nations Climate Summit.
She encouraged people to become involved in the community-owned solar power project Energy Forever.
The project aims to install between 70 and 100 kilowatts of clean, renewable solar power, for one or more large electricity consumers, as well as providing a perpetual funding source for community-driven sustainability projects.
A founding member of Climate Change Australia - Hastings Branch, Drusi Megget, urged people to let politicians know about the merit of investing in and building renewable energy infrastructure.
"There is coming a tipping point where business will see bigger profits in renewable energy," she said.
Ms Megget said when the tipping point was reached, the world would only want to invest in renewable energy and coal would be a stranded asset.
Mayor Peter Besseling outlined opportunities which existed and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's actions.
The council recently resolved to seek expert advice on options for the development of a long-term energy strategy.
Cr Besseling highlighted other initiatives including updated flood studies, the draft Lake Cathie Coastal Zone Management Plan and solar panel installation on council buildings.
Cr Lisa Intemann spoke about the importance of taking action to address climate change and the benefits which flowed from that.
She encouraged people to contact politicians to have their voices heard.