THERE was standing room only when leader of the Australian Greens, Christine Milne, launched the federal election campaign of small business consultant Dawn Walker on Friday night.

A 220 strong crowd converged at the Murwillumbah Community Centre, where Senator Milne outlined the key Greens issues for the 2013 election.

Identifying climate change, food security, and refugee policy as issues, Ms Milne said it was a critical decade for climate change.

"If global emissions don't start to come down in this decade, we've closed the door on any chance we have of holding global warming to two degrees," she said.

"Science says we are on a trajectory of four degrees or more, and that is an unliveable planet."

Ms Milne said there was little time.

"With an Abbott  government coming down the track, we need the strong voice of the Greens, who have the courage to stand up against that," she said.

"The only people who will be standing in parliament with a strong, united, consistent position to take on these extremes are the Greens.'

Senator Milne said the issue of food security wakes her up in the night."

Candidate for Richmond, Dawn Walker, described the electorate as "a wonderful melting pot of vibrant, diverse and alive communities" with "lots of issues to share."

"Community life can not be taken for granted and needs support from mounting outside pressures," she said.

"Global warming, industrialisation of our farms through CSG mining, under funded public transport, the rapidly expanding Gold Coast airport, cuts to single parents benefits and sprawling housing development to name a few."

Ms Walker acknowledged the work of the community to protect a vision for Northern Rivers where our young people can have sustainable local jobs, can surf in clean oceans, fish with their friends in the rivers, and raise their families.

"This is a vision where our local businesses are invigorated by robust infrastructure and good public transport and where our less well off are supported and cared for and, most importantly, are part of the decision making process," Ms Walker said.

"It is a vision where our rich cultural heritage is preserved and celebrated."

Ms Walker said she would work to ensure the community has a voice when developments are being decided for the region.

"This is so we can contribute and lead the national debate on renewable energy, sustainable communities, healthy small businesses, living cultural heritage and protected environments," she said.

"The Northern Rivers is a place that has always walked the talk.

"It's a place worth fighting for and a community with a vision."