Dr Sophie Scamps Climate Change is Here

CLIMATE CHANGE IS HERE BUT THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE.

Dr Sophie Scamps

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: DR SOPHIE SCAMPS

DR SOPHIE SCAMPS’ PASSION FOR POLITICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT SHINES THROUGH IN EVERYTHING SHE DOES. WORKING AND LIVING ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES FOR 22 YEARS, SHE HAS DEVELOPED A STRONG UNDERSTANDING FOR HER COMMUNITY. HER DETERMINATION TO MAKE A CHANGE SEES HER STANDING AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR THE NEXT FEDERAL ELECTION WITH NO ALLEGIANCE OTHER THAN TO HER ELECTORATE.

At the time of writing this article, parts of the Northern Beaches from Narrabeen to Manly were underwater due to unprecedented fl oods and heavy rain hitting our community. I hope that by the time you read this latest issue of Beaches COVERED., the thousands of people and small businesses impacted have recovered and are starting to get back on their feet.

While some may try to use the fl oods to defl ect and tell us ‘now isn’t the time to talk about climate change’ – I completely disagree. In fact, my concern about how climate change will impact our community and the government’s lack of action are some reasons I decided to run as an Independent candidate for Mackellar at the next Federal election.

What worries me most is that while it is clear climate change is already impacting our community, the government seems more interested in supporting their mates in the fossil fuel industry than in taking action to protect our community.

The record rain and fl oods that impacted the east coast during March, including us here on the Northern Beaches, were unprecedented and driven by climate change.

I know some people that live near Narrabeen Lagoon have now been evacuated twice in the last three years as the risk of fl oods increases.

Coastal erosion is also a real problem here on the Northern Beaches, as people living in Collaroy and elsewhere on the coast know all too well. We need to act on climate change to prevent coastal erosion affecting more of our beautiful beaches.

As a GP, I also see climate change as a health emergency. I still remember just two summers ago, while working as a GP in Narrabeen, I saw many patients suffering from breathing problems caused by the smoke and air pollution from the Black Summer bushfi res.

While we’re already seeing the impacts of climate change, we can still prevent the worst effects from occurring. But the window of opportunity is closing fast. The next three years are absolutely critical to the type of future we want to see, which is why this election is so vitally important, and why I am standing to be Mackellar’s Independent voice in Canberra.

Now is the time for us all to stand up, and do whatever we can to help limit climate change. So what can you do?

Firstly, vote for a candidate that wants to see serious action on climate change – this election is our fi nal chance to get real action on climate change through our Parliament.

DR SOPHIE SCAMPS WITH HER FAMILY

Talk to your friends and family about why addressing climate change immediately is so important.

Volunteer your time or donate what you can afford to give to charities that are tackling the climate crisis.

Finally, vote with your wallet – support brands and companies that are committed to Net Zero emissions, renewable energy and that leave a positive impact on the planet.

While there are many things we can all do to tackle climate change, as an Independent MP, I will be in a powerful position to infl uence the direction of our national climate policies. If elected, I promise to:

• Work with the government of the day to set a 2030 emissions reduction target of at least 50%. This is the minimum we need to avert the worst impacts of climate change and is backed by business groups, including the Business Council of Australia, scientists and nearly all state and territory governments – but opposed by Scott Morrison. This means if you vote for a Liberal candidate, no matter what they say, you will still get the climate policies of Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce.

• Support investment in cheaper, cleaner and more reliable renewable energy so we hit 100% renewables as soon as possible, creating new jobs, reducing energy bills and securing Australia’s energy independence in a volatile world.

• Develop a national electric vehicle policy so everyone from tradies to truckies to families and everyone in between, can afford cheaper and cleaner electric vehicles.

• Introduce legislation to stop oil and gas exploration and mining off

Australia’s coast and end taxpayer support for the fossil fuel industry.

• Work with the government of the day to increase funding for community adaptation and resilience projects to help protect us all from the worst impacts of climate change over the coming decades.

Now is the time to stand up, to be counted, and to act. I promise that as an Independent for Mackellar, I will do just that and fi ght every day to protect our way of life and ensure our children and grandchildren have a bright and safe future.

Dr Sophie Scamps – Independent candidate for Mackellar.

You can fi nd out more about Dr. Sophie Scamps and her campaign at www.sophiescamps.com.au •

Where is Mackellar?

Stretching from Dee Why in the south to Palm Beach in the north and taking in the suburbs of Duffys Forest, Terrey Hills and Davidson to the west, Mackellar is home to over 150,000 Northern Beaches locals.

The electorate of Mackellar was created in 1949 and named in honour of the famous poet, Dorothea Mackellar – best known for writing ‘My Country’.

The Liberal Party is the only party to ever win the seat of Mackellar and it is currently held by a backbench Liberal Party MP.

DR SOPHIE SCAMPS // INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR MACKELLAR // FB & INSTA @DRSOPHIE4MACKELLAR www.sophiescamps.com.au