Mission Climate Change (4 page)

Seppo and Sophie the wolverines were already digging at the snow piled up against the door of the rustic log cabin by the time Bindi and Robert had caught up to them. Robert explained quickly to Bindi that Alek had dropped him and the
wolverines off at the main road, as the minibus couldn't fit down the small lane.

It was obvious to the children that a large cornice of snow had dropped from the cabin's roof, blocking the door. But the wolverines were on the job, and began whining as they caught the scent of their beloved owner.

Marjo appeared in time to see the wolverines finish clearing away the snow. Bindi and Robert pulled the door of the cottage open, and found a very cold, shivering Professor Tikkanen covered in blankets on the floor.

Bindi rushed over to him. ‘Are you all right, Professor Tikkanen?'
she asked, concerned, grabbing hold of his hands and rubbing them warm.

He looked cold and exhausted – but still alive! Seppo and Sophie jumped on him, and the warmth they instantly provided seemed to give the professor a little more energy.

‘Well, guys,' he croaked, ‘I saved you from the brown bear, and now you have returned the favour.' He hugged them both.

He looked up at Bindi and Robert. ‘Why aren't you two at the conference?' he demanded, attempting a smile.

‘We've been so worried about
you!' said Bindi, wiping away a few tears of relief.

Marjo was looking a little teary herself. ‘I'm so sorry, Fredrik,' she said. ‘What happened?'

‘When you left, you slammed the door on your way out,' he explained. ‘The overhang of snow collapsed, and I was trapped inside. All the windows are frozen shut.' He rubbed his forehead ruefully. ‘Nobody's fault. Just a silly accident.'

Marjo turned to Bindi. ‘You see, I am not a kidnapper of environmentalists!' she said, trying to make a joke.

Bindi smiled a little guiltily. ‘I never thought you were,' she said.

Robert grinned unashamedly. ‘I did though.'

Marjo laughed at his honesty. She checked her watch. ‘What time is your announcement?' she asked Professor Tikkanen.

‘About one o'clock,' he answered.

‘Well, if you think you're up to making it, you have no time to lose. I can give you a lift back to the conference,' said Marjo. ‘You know how fast I can drive if I need to.'

Professor Tikkanen was looking better and better by the moment. ‘Yes, I remember. As long as you don't mind the car's heater being turned up high! And Bindi, Robert,
Seppo and Sophie will be joining us too.'

Marjo grunted but said nothing.

The professor checked his watch. ‘The media will be waiting. I hope they don't give up and leave,' he said anxiously, as he moved painfully to his feet.

Bindi grinned. ‘Don't worry, professor. If I know my friends, they'll make sure the crowds are entertained until you get there.'

DJ and Kelly were up on stage, having just finished an impromptu comedy routine involving more reindeer jokes, which had the audience and the media in stitches. Cameras were rolling and journalists were taking down notes, trying to stifle their giggles.

Kelly waited until the applause had died down. ‘But we're not just here to make you laugh,' she said, looking over at DJ, Madi and Hannah. ‘We're here because Professor Tikkanen wanted you to hear from the younger generation. He wanted you to know how strongly we feel about the future of our planet. We don't want to waste any more time arguing about statistics and who is to blame for the state we're in …'

DJ took over. ‘And, really, we couldn't care less about who's responsible. What we want is change, and we want it now. My land, Kakadu National Park in the
Northern Territory, is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and has been home to my people for tens of thousands of years. My people have seen many changes in that time, including fire and drought. Stories have been passed down for years about islands and wetlands that no longer exist. This is part of Mother Nature, and the Aboriginal people understand this. But the changes of the last fifty years are not natural. We once knew when the seasons changed by seeing the signs and signals in nature that marked those transitions: we read the changing of seasons through the flowering of plants and grasses,
the differences in winds and clouds and rain, the movement of birds and other animals. We need to make changes today, so that the beautiful places, the sacred places, will be there for when our children grow up.'

Madi and Hannah then took to the stage, talking about the issues that faced their countries – the effects of famine and poverty caused by natural disasters, the desertification of land that made the growing of crops impossible, deforestation and the dying out of endangered species as their habitats were destroyed by humans.

Bindi and Robert, with Seppo,
Sophie and Professor Tikkanen, rushed into the auditorium, and saw how engrossed the audience was listening to their friends speak.

Hannah noticed their entrance. ‘And two of the most outspoken and passionate people we know are our two Australian friends, Bindi and Robert Irwin. Come and join us, guys.'

Bindi and Robert ran up onto the stage, along with the two wolverines, who took sentinel positions either side of the group of children.

‘G'day, folks,' said Bindi. ‘It's a complete honour to be here today. I'm sure my friends have shown you how strongly we feel about the future
of this planet. I just want to add that we are truly a global community. Even my small group of friends here today represent four continents. We are prepared to work together to make the world a better place for everyone on the planet …'

Robert took over. ‘G'day, I'm Robert. I'm only seven years old, but when I'm seventy years old, I want to show my grandkids all the gorgeous creatures that I love right now. I don't want to have to tell them that because we didn't look after the planet properly, thousands of fascinating animals, like polar bears, arctic foxes, koalas and even wolverines, are extinct.'

Bindi gave her brother a hug. ‘So, please, help us work together to change the world for the better!'

The audience erupted into loud and sustained applause. Terri and Kirsten were first on their feet with a standing ovation, followed closely by the rest of the auditorium.

The wolverines could feel the excitement in the room. They gave an excited growl, and wound their way around Bindi and Robert's legs. They sensed these two Australian kids were extra special!

That evening, back at the farmhouse, the friends regrouped around the crackling fire. After the applause had died down, Professor Tikkanen had made his announcement: the Scandinavian countries – Denmark, Sweden and Norway – would join
Finland and Iceland in making a commitment to increase their renewable energy. The group would challenge the rest of the European Union and, ultimately, the rest of the world, to do the same. No-one in the crowd would have known he'd been locked in a freezing lakeside cottage with no electricity only half an hour earlier. It had been an unusual, but very successful first day of the conference, and everyone was looking forward to it continuing. Hopefully, thought Bindi, with a little less drama!

The group watched various reports of the conference on television, flicking through cable
channels from all around the world. They were thrilled to see that quite a few broadcasts also showed snippets of the kids talking about their plight.

The protestors, on the other hand, were largely ignored. ‘Do you think Marjo will be disappointed?' Bindi asked Professor Tikkanen after they turned off the TV.

‘Yes, definitely,' Professor Tikkanen said with a sad grin. ‘But she has to realise that the tide is turning, and that she will need to join us in our fight to reverse the damage that has been done to the environment by industries such as hers.'

He leaned over to have a quiet word to Bindi and Robert. ‘I would like to thank you both very much for today,' he said. ‘Not only have you and your wildlife warriors given your voice to the climate change issue, but your clever detective skills also saved my life.' He gave them both a grateful hug.

‘You're welcome,' Bindi whispered. Then she stood up, holding her hot chocolate high in the air. ‘To the future!' she toasted.

Everyone stood up to join her. ‘To the future!' they chorused.