The visit of the GetUp! climate torch to Kangaroo Island culminated in a circuit of the Dudley Memorial Oval at half-time of the A Grade football final on Saturday and presentation of the torch to the Kangaroo Island Mayor Jayne Bates.

It was fitting that four young people, Ricky-Lee Barrios, Jade Stephens, Zoe Sheridan and Louise King, made the circuit as they are likely to be the first generation seriously affected by climate change unless we do something about it now. The Climate Torch relay, modelled on the Olympic torch relay, is moving across Australia from Derby in WA where it began on August 11 to Canberra where it will be presented to the Australian Government on October 12. It aims to raise awareness of climate change and clean alternative energy sources.

The torch does not have the flame of an Olympic torch. Instead its LED message is powered by four alternative forms of power.

Wind and solar power are increasingly being adopted at home or through the purchase of accredited green power. The handcrank on the torch demonstrates people power and how with a small effort we can all play our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The current-generating lemon represents the kind of innovation that will help secure our future.

The torch arrived on the Island on Friday morning courtesy of Sealink, appropriately departing from Cape Jervis, where the wind turbines of Starfish Hill dominate the scene.

Jackie Kelly OAM, as presiding member of the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board, accepted the torch from Hannah Symens and Sarah Hissey, representing the children at KI Children’s Services on Friday. She spoke with the children about looking after the environment on Kangaroo Island and reducing energy use.

Many thanks to the Kangaroo Island Football Association, KI Children’s Services and Sealink for their support. As the torch says, ‘Together we will solve the climate crisis’.