Independent candidate for Cowper, Rob Oakeshott, has outlined a blueprint for addressing climate change at Gladstone Hub.
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In launching the Gladstone Climate Commitment as a part of his environment platform in the lead-up to the May federal election, Mr Oakeshott said climate change is a threat to the national economy.
"I firmly believe solutions to climate change are to be embraced, not feared. Private investment is waiting for policy certainty. Government industry policy is at its best when promoting new job markets, not protecting declining ones. And the farm sector benefits as well from better soil and water, invasive species management, and biodiversity stewardship," Mr Oakeshott said.
"Climate change is already costing government and private business as they deal with extreme weather events, loss of native species, landscape changes and sea-level rises. We need to embed climate change into industry, economic, health and environment policy. We can make it a central objective of government."
Macleay Living Sustainably (MLS) has praised the Gladstone Climate Commitment as a crucial step forward for protecting the people, landscape, and way of life in the Cowper electorate.
MLS spokesperson Genevieve Furber said climate change is the biggest challenge facing this generation.
"Mr Oakeshott described the area between Gloucester and the Dorrigo plateau as a 'playground' and we, the people of the area, need to be proper custodians of our environs so we can continue living the dream," Ms Furber said.
"The Gladstone Commitment on Climate Change outlines Mr Oakeshott's commitments for tackling climate change, to ensure future generations are able to enjoy the privileges our current generations enjoy.
"Investing in technologies that create jobs is just common sense. Renewable energy is the way forward for our community, not propping up a dying industry like coal."
Mr Oakeshott praised the activism of youth in the community who participated in the School Strike for Climate Change.
Labor candidate Andrew Woodward said Oakeshott's climate plan supported much of what Labor has put forward but without the substance.
"The reality is that Mr Oakeshott's document is nothing more than a PR wish list. He will never be in a position to implement any of this as he will never be in government," Mr Woodward said.
Nationals candidate Patrick Conaghan and United Australia Party's Lex Stewart were contacted for comment.
