Maddie Clegg and Steph Jedrasiak were dismayed earlier this year when they discovered that Wingecarribbee Shire Council hadn't signed the climate change emergency declaration.

Their passion for the environment and the need to make a difference led them to create a petition and link up with Climate Action Now Wingecarribee (CANWIN) to create a grass roots initiative called Climate Emergency Declaration Wingecarribee (CEDWIN).

"I had done my research [regarding climate change in Wingecarribee Shire] and nothing stood out to me," said Maddie.

"It's sad that local council hasn't taken part.

"It's quite depressing."

Echoing Maddie's sentiments, Steph said it was disheartening.

"I grew up in the area and it's disheartening that the interests of some supersede the interest of the environment," she said.

"Someone needs to take the lead and back the cause."

Both Maddie and Steph along with the members of CANWIN and CEDWIN will distribute a petition urging council to declare a climate change emergency and undertake actions to reduce net carbon emissions in the Wingecarribee shire.

The petition also asks council to prepare plans and reports committing to a timetable with targets for achieving 100% renewable energy and eventual zero net carbon emissions and periodically review progress and issue an annual public report indicating the progress made.

"We want to convince council that we aren't a little group," said Maddie.

"We are doing what we can instead of wallowing about what we can't do. It's a global idea, in a local area that will affect people," said Steph

"It makes us want to do it more."

In addition to the petition, there will be another School Strike for Climate Change on September 20 Glebe Park, Bowral from 12 pm.

The strike is part of a universal movement where students go on strike and demand action from their governing bodies.

Clive West, a member of CANWIN and the newly formed CEDWIN, said that the campaign was to raise awareness and that it was Maddie and Steph's generation that would have to deal with the effects of climate change.

"We want to create public awareness," he said.

"We aren't attacking the council, we just want action. We want this to be a collaboration."

The petition will be handed out at the School Strike for Climate Change and Bundanoon Earth Festival.

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