Local Champion: George Carrard lobbies for action through Citizens' Climate Lobby

But for Oatley resident George Carrard, who is in his eighties and has two daughters and four grandsons to think about, lobbying for the environment is something close to his heart.

Mr Carrard was instrumental in the formation of the Oatley branch of the Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) five years ago and, along with other CCL members, has met with politicians and captains of industry to lead change.

"I'm terrified for the future of my children and grandchildren because of global warming," Mr Carrard told the Leader.

"The Lobby says you shouldn't talk about catastrophe - it puts people off - but that's my motivation: fear."

Mr Carrard was nominated as a Local Champion - a Leader initiative to recognise, through stories, ordinary locals doing extraordinary things - for his efforts to increase community awareness about global warming.

His nominator Daniela Ramirez, a former Georges River Council employee who recently returned to New Zealand to live with her family, said the work Mr Carrard did for his cause was "incredible".

"Getting the commitment from the councillors for net zero emissions and 100 per cent renewable energy in its operations was a huge project, and George was key to it," said Ms Ramirez.

The targets were endorsed by the council at its October 26, 2020 meeting.

As for climate change deniers, who Mr Carrard said were often in his age group, he said he "can't understand why they actively deny it".

He said while he hoped he was a role model for younger generations, in his experience - including during a recent visit to St George Girls High School where he was a judge for the Speak 4 the Planet public speaking competition - younger people were "right on it".

"The people who put together School Strike 4 Climate Australia, they don't need a role model - they're right with it," he said.

Mr Carrard was named Green Advocate of the Year at the 2020 Georges River Council Australia Day Awards.

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