Diamonds may be forever, but time is running out for their carbon cousin, coal.
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United States President Joe Biden's international climate change summit is only the latest international gab-fest grappling with carbon pollution.
For a town like Lithgow, which is virtually synonymous with coal mining, the challenge is to start diversifying now.
For some years the Lithgow Environment Group has been part of an alliance of organisations promoting the stunning natural beauty and biodiversity on the town's doorstep as part of a transition strategy out of coal.
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Anyone who has camped at Newnes or made the trek to the fairytale glow worm tunnel (originally mining infrastructure) knows how powerful this country is.
The area is now an agglomeration of state forest and other crown land with ageing and inadequate tourist infrastructure.
The Gardens of Stone Alliance argues that a new state conservation area focused on the region's sandstone pagodas would draw tourism dollars and create new economic opportunities.
According to the 2020 Destination Pagoda report, a 39,000-hectare Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area could attract 155,000 visitors in the first year, growing to 420,000 in ten years.
By then, the new reserve would generate an estimated $24.3 million per year for the Lithgow economy in dining, accommodation, retail and transport expenditure, and a total of $40.3 million through direct, industry and consumption effects, contributing to 258 local full time equivalent jobs.
An exhibition at Lithgow's Gang Gang gallery, opening this weekend and running until June 20 (Thursdays to Sundays), is the latest focal point for this campaign.
The exhibition features a remarkable installation work by acclaimed artist Anne Graham, as well as other artworks, photography and continuous looping film of the Gardens of Stone.
For her large-scale installation, Graham has used piles of old woollen blankets sourced from op-shops, dyeing, layering and cutting them to represent the geology of the area.
During the exhibition, the Gang Gang Gallery will also host several speaker events and information sessions with experts who will provide insight into the Destination Pagodas proposal, the flora, fauna and landscapes of the region, and tips on getting into accessible areas within Pagoda Country.
Speakers for these events include Dr Haydn Washington, Madi McLean, Dr Richard Stiles, Dr Paul Brown, Greg Mortimer OAM, Yuri Bolotin and artists Anne Graham, Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen and Nic Tsoutas.
Bookings for these events are essential.
For details call Sharon Howard at the Gang Gang Gallery on 0408 514 440.
Tracy Sorensen is a member of Bathurst Community Climate Action Network.
