As parents we are acutely aware of the critical importance of taking immediate action to avoid irreversible damage to the ecological systems that are required now, and into the future to support our own lives and those of our children.

In 2050 my one year old will only be 30, poised at the prime of her life, and possibly a parent herself - it is our responsibility to take the steps now so that her generation can avoid the burden of consequences from our unrestrained addiction to coal, plastic, pesticides and land clearing.

We urge our representatives at all levels of government to heed the advice of the scientists, international agencies, security experts, business groups and us ordinary citizens who can see the deterioration in our natural world occurring before our eyes.

We call on you to declare a climate emergency, take meaningful steps to reduce emissions in line with our commitments under the Paris agreement, legislate for environmentally sustainable transport, reduce land clearing, ban single use plastics, and protect our endangered species.

If they were still alive, my grandparents might have added their voices to mine to tell you that a stitch in time saves nine.

We call on all generations of Australians to join together and support each other to do the right thing, before it's too late.

Dr Sarah Mollard, Nicholas Graham, Marissa Gilbert, Douglas Gilbert, Rachel Wapworth, Ruth Allen, Rose Wilson, Lydia Wills and Margot Pickering of Hastings Parents For the Environment

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