Thousands join Walk Against Warming in the Upper Florentine

On Saturday 12 December, over 2000 Tasmanians travelled to the Upper Florentine to be part of the Walk Against Warming. The carbon-dense forests of Tasmania were chosen as the venue of this year's Walk to highlight the importance of protecting the world's forests as living carbon stores. Forest protection is absolutely necessary if we are to have any chance of combating dangerous climate change.

The enthusiastic crowd heard from a climatologist, a union leader, representatives of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, a renewable-energy expert, and celebrity gardener Peter Cundall, before being entertained by internationally renowned singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd, and indigenous Tasmanian singer-songwriter Ronnie Summers.

The large crowd called on local and international leaders to: 

• Protect our forests as globally significant carbon stores
• Ensure a fair transition for all workers to a low-carbon economy
• Make Tasmania a 100%-renewable-energy island

In addition to the main event of the speeches and the Walk Against Warming, people also experienced the beautiful forest location. Some walked along Timbs Track to the Tiger Valley Lookout, built by Wilderness Society volunteers, where they enjoyed views of the dramatic mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which surrounds the Upper Florentine on three sides.

Others found out more about the role protecting forests can play in helping fight dangerous climate change in the in-forest climate classroom. 

Images and video of the day are being used by the Wilderness Society campaign team in Copenhagen to call for a strong international deal which includes the protection of the world's forests.

• View our special slide-show featuring 'Walk Against Warming' images from across Australia >>