Climate change rally wants govt action

July 5, 2008, 2:39 pm

Greens leader Bob Brown is among the speakers who will address the Climate Emergency Rally.

AAP © [Enlarge photo]

Greens Leader Bob Brown says Australia will feel the economic benefits if it moves towards halting the impact of climate change.

Speaking to hundreds gathered at a Climate Emergency Network rally in Melbourne on Saturday, Senator Brown said an environmental focus would boost the economy.

"For ourselves, for our grandchildren we must take the lead ... and we'll be richer because of it," he said.

"We'll have more jobs because of it.

"We'll have safer industries because of it.

"And we'll a have pride in ourselves, a smile on our face if we tackle climate change, because as (climate economist) Sir Nicholas Stern said, those countries which take the lead in transforming to an environmentally based economy will have the best economies as we move down this century."

Saturday's rally called for urgent action on climate change which included a move towards renewable energy, more public transport and no desalination plant.

The protesters met in central Melbourne before heading to Alexandra Gardens to form a 140-metre-long message: "Climate Emergency".

Climate Emergency Network president Carol Ride said support for the event's message was strong.

"We're being contacted daily with new groups wishing to support the rally," she said.