India on climate crusade

JOEL RITCHIE

FEAR that her home will be under water in 50 years has inspired 13-year-old India Marks, of Gerringong, to present a petition to Kiama Council about climate change.

India, who lives a stone's throw from Werri Beach, was so moved by former US vice-president Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth that she collected signatures from 128 Kiama locals.

Such is the community's concern about what is sure to be a big-ticket item at the upcoming federal election that India completed the petition in a day-and-a-half during the recent State election.

"I saw An Inconvenient Truth and it scared me a bit," the Kiama High School student said.

"I realised what could happen to my area, but I didn't realise that it could be in my lifetime.

"In 50 years my house could be under water " I would have to go diving to show it to my grandchildren."

A self-confessed "greenie", India said it was important that the next generation took up the climate change crusade.

"Some people don't think global warming is a big issue, but if younger kids speak about it, people will realise that their grandchildren won't be able to visit places that are near the seas," India said.

Councillors were so moved by the petition they voted to congratulate India on her initiative and make a report of what could be done to combat global warming.