Mission Climate Change Read Online Free Page B

a little guiltily. ‘I never thought you were,’ she said.
    Robert grinned unashamedly. ‘I did though.’
    Marjo laughed at his honesty. She checked her watch. ‘What time is your announcement?’ she asked Professor Tikkanen.
    â€˜About one o’clock,’ he answered.
    â€˜Well, if you think you’re up to making it, you have no time to lose. I can give you a lift back to the conference,’ said Marjo. ‘You know how fast I can drive if I need to.’
    Professor Tikkanen was looking better and better by the moment. ‘Yes, I remember. As long as you don’t mind the car’s heater being turned up high! And Bindi, Robert,Seppo and Sophie will be joining us too.’
    Marjo grunted but said nothing.
    The professor checked his watch. ‘The media will be waiting. I hope they don’t give up and leave,’ he said anxiously, as he moved painfully to his feet.
    Bindi grinned. ‘Don’t worry, professor. If I know my friends, they’ll make sure the crowds are entertained until you get there.’

DJ and Kelly were up on stage, having just finished an impromptu comedy routine involving more reindeer jokes, which had the audience and the media in stitches. Cameras were rolling and journalists were taking down notes, trying to stifle their giggles.
    Kelly waited until the applause had died down. ‘But we’re not just here to make you laugh,’ she said, looking over at DJ, Madi and Hannah. ‘We’re here because Professor Tikkanen wanted you to hear from the younger generation. He wanted you to know how strongly we feel about the future of our planet. We don’t want to waste any more time arguing about statistics and who is to blame for the state we’re in …’
    DJ took over. ‘And, really, we couldn’t care less about who’s responsible. What we want is change, and we want it now. My land, Kakadu National Park in theNorthern Territory, is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and has been home to my people for tens of thousands of years. My people have seen many changes in that time, including fire and drought. Stories have been passed down for years about islands and wetlands that no longer exist. This is part of Mother Nature, and the Aboriginal people understand this. But the changes of the last fifty years are not natural. We once knew when the seasons changed by seeing the signs and signals in nature that marked those transitions: we read the changing of seasons through the flowering of plants and grasses,the differences in winds and clouds and rain, the movement of birds and other animals. We need to make changes today, so that the beautiful places, the sacred places, will be there for when our children grow up.’
    Madi and Hannah then took to the stage, talking about the issues that faced their countries – the effects of famine and poverty caused by natural disasters, the desertification of land that made the growing of crops impossible, deforestation and the dying out of endangered species as their habitats were destroyed by humans.
    Bindi and Robert, with Seppo,Sophie and Professor Tikkanen, rushed into the auditorium, and saw how engrossed the audience was listening to their friends speak.
    Hannah noticed their entrance. ‘And two of the most outspoken and passionate people we know are our two Australian friends, Bindi and Robert Irwin. Come and join us, guys.’
    Bindi and Robert ran up onto the stage, along with the two wolverines, who took sentinel positions either side of the group of children.
    â€˜G’day, folks,’ said Bindi. ‘It’s a complete honour to be here today. I’m sure my friends have shown you how strongly we feel about the futureof this planet. I just want to add that we are truly a global community. Even my small group of friends here today represent four continents. We are prepared to work together to make the world a better place for