As a generation, we boomers may be physically past occupying the streets as we did in the 1960s and 70s when we railed against conscription and the Vietnam War. Indeed, the days of enticing a couple of hundred thousand protestors to so publicly vent their anger at the state of the nation may well have passed us by.

But that doesn't mean we can't do anything. The following letter, from the independent GetUp organisation, reached me by email this morning. And, I believe, it's well worth thinking about and doing something about. Our grandchildren may not forgive us for inaction at a time we knew things were going drastically wrong.

Dear ...

You may have seen it on ABC's 4 Corners last night — the Murray-Darling is "in crisis", but we do have the opportunity to save it.

The last great hope for our mighty river system, which accounts for over 40 per cent of Australia's agricultural production, is for the Federal Government to urgently take control of the Murray-Darling without being held to ransom by the States' demands.

Since we launched this vital campaign last month, the Senate inquiry into this issue has handed down its findings. We know that right now decisions are being made as to how to respond to it. Can you add your name to our petition at this crucial time?

www.getup.org.au/campaign/BuyMeARiver

A strong community voice is needed to convince our politicians that we need to do more, and we need to do it now. Your signature on this petition will send the message that Australians want the Federal Government to step up to the plate and prevent our nation's food bowl from turning into a dust bowl.

Click here to sign the petition to Save the Murray-Darling, while the issue is being considered in Canberra:

www.getup.org.au/campaign/BuyMeARiver

A decisive statement from the Australian community now could tip the scales and achieve the urgent State and Federal government action needed to keep the rivers flowing. More than just a national icon, take a stand today for Australia's food bowl.

Thanks for being a part of the solution,

The GetUp team

PS - As the science develops, the need for urgent action becomes clearer — click here to sign the petition to Save the Murray-Darling, before things heat up in the coming months.

PPS - You can watch last night's episode of Four Corners, "Buying Back the River" here.