Green message lights Gladstone | Gladstone News | Local News in Gladstone

THE alternatively-powered Climate Torch came to Gladstone yesterday, held aloft by a succession of bearers who are concerned that carbon-based energy is destroying our planet.

A wind turbine, a small solar panel, a lemon (which produce an electrical charge) and a hand crank (people power) power an onboard microprocessor and a bright LCD display with the message 'Halve Australia's Greenhouse Pollution by 2020'.

The Gladstone Cycle Club took possession of the torch between Gladstone and Mount Larcom and delivered it to Spinnaker Park where, with the RG Tanna Coal Terminal in the background, it was handed to Gladstone Regional Councillor Col Chapman.

Local organiser Peter Parker said the torch relay received tremendous support from Gladstone groups including the Scouts, Conservation Volunteers, Friends of the Theatre and some sporting groups.

"We want to see Australia take strong action so that we leave a healthy environment for our children," he said.

He said on average the torch bearers carry the torch for about 100m "but some younger ones have been asking to carry it even further".

Mr Parker said if there had been more lead-up time, the schools would have been approached to give their assistance.

The torch will be handed over to Bundaberg volunteers on Monday. It is planned to run the torch through Bargara.

Then the torch will be delivered to Parliament House, Canberra, by a huge rally where organisers will stage a "presentation of the torch" on the Parliament House Lawns on October 12.