Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group

Dear Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group Supporters

Great to see so many of you at the 13 June rally. Take a look at some pictures.

Latest US Report Global warming is unequivocally humanly induced and causing current widespread impacts now that are expected to increase said the US Global Change Research Program in its report last week to the US government. Full text here.. http://downloads.globalchange.gov/usimpacts/pdfs/climate-impacts-report.pdf

Be inspired: “This planet came with a set of instructions, but we seem to have misplaced them. Important rules like don’t poison the water, soil, or air, don’t let the earth get overcrowded, and don’t touch the thermostat have been broken. ..If you look at the science about what is happening on earth and aren’t pessimistic, you don’t understand the data. But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren’t optimistic, you haven’t got a pulse….. Humanity is coalescing. …Millions of people are working on behalf of strangers, even if the evening news is usually about the death of strangers.” … enjoy environmentalist Paul Hawken’s speech to graduating students. http://www.up.edu/commencement/default.aspx?cid=9456&pid=3144

Join the call for protection for Pacific Islanders from climate change : Oxfam are calling for a strong climate deal to protect Pacific Island communities who are right now experiencing climate impacts in the form of rising sea levels, tidal surges, drought and loss of food crops. Add your voice. http://enews.oxfam.org.au/rp//821/process.clsp?EmailId=123789&Token=2221E2433B09430EFE35ACF80ED25FA12

Have a say in Ryde Council’s plan for 2030: Ryde Council is drafting a major plan for 2030 and is calling for community input on our hopes and concerns. A great opportunity to let Council know that climate comes first and call for sustainable development, renewable energy generation, comprehensive bicycle routes and an orientation to massive carbon reduction. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB2298RMBM27B. A related project is a community forum to shape the future of Macquarie Park focussing on transport, marketing and environmental sustainability. www.ryde.nsw.gov.au

Did you know? That residents of Ryde LGA emit an average of 22.3 tonnes of greenhouse pollution per person per year? This is a lot worse than the state average of 19.3 and a national average of 18.9. Check out ACFs Consumption Atlas to see how our LGA rates and how to reduce your consumption. http://www.acfonline.org.au/consumptionatlas/

What’s On

Youth climate summit 11-13 July: “Power Shift 2009″ for people aged 14-30 in Sydney www.getup.org.au/campaign/powershift

24 October: 350 day Groups around the world will all be holding local events around the theme of 350 which is how many parts per million of C02 is a safe atmospheric level for the climate. Find out more and watch the neat animation http://action.350.org/t/9532/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=4869 Save the date for Ryde Gladesville’s magical evening event. More details coming.

Ready cut your emissions by trying cycling to work? 30 August 9am, Monash Park on Ryde Rd, Gladesville: Bike North is leading a Gladesville to City Sunday morning ride to learn the cycling commute route. Easy pace 27km. For details and the whole calendar of rides http://www.bikenorth.org.au/calendar/

Electric buses for the future? 7 July, 7.30pm Victoria Rd Ryde. RSVP 9878 2289

Ryde Gladesville Climate Group Meeting 1 July, 7.30pm Gladesville. Call Jo 9816 3594 or Lynda 9817 0451 for more details.

World Environment Day Rally – June 13

Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group invites you to attend the Sydney gathering on Saturday June 13, 10am in Sydney CBD, Hickson Rd, Millers point. Wear red clothing – red is the colour of the climate emergency. This rally is focusing on a rapid transition to renewable energy. The rally is asking for ….

• Green collar jobs not job cuts
• 100% renewable energy by 2020
• global climate justice: Australia should take the lead

The event will coincide with other similar rallies in each capital city organised by climate groups. There will be stalls and speakers at the Rally. www.climaterally.org/sydney

Federal budget allocation on solar and clean coal

Last week’s budget included $1.5 billion over six years in a new solar power program which will aim to establish an additional 1,000 megawatts of solar electricity generation capacity in Australia. This is similar to the generation capacity of a coal fired power station. A great step forward, however……

At the same time the budge included $2 billion for carbon capture and storage (so called clean coal ) over 9 years. The Crikey news website points out that the contrast between renewables and “clean coal” couldn’t be more stark. The investment in solar is expected to create 1GW of real, emissions free power within the next 6 years. Wheras the larger investment in carbon capture will support the development of demonstration projects over 9 years. Reality vs illusion.

Read more: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/rooted/2009/05/13/value-for-money-in-the-budget-solar-vs-coal/

Climate Change Exhibition at the Australian Museum 2 May – 16 August

Will Sydney really be flooded by rising sea levels? What’s a carbon footprint anyway? A new interactive exhibition at the Australian Museum takes you on a surprising trip through two possible scenarios – one where nothing has been done to combat climate change and the other showing how nations, communities and individuals can take positive action to help save the planet.

Developed by climate change experts and scientists, this exhibition gives you the chance to:

• melt the ice caps and see which parts of Sydney flood first,
• get news from the future by watching broadcasts from 2050
• dance to the beat on a special dance floor and see how much green energy you can generate.

http://www.austmus.gov.au/visiting/whatson/display.cfm?event_id=337

Calling 1 Million Women

A new campaign was launched this week in Sydney calling on women of Australia to commit to reducing CO2. The site calculates how much C02 your actions save. To sign on or find out more

http://www.1millionwomen.com.au/index.cfm

Bulk solar purchase

Supporters who are taking part in our group solar panel installation should now all have received quotes from Aussie Solar. Due to the end of the rebate scheme, there are many hundreds of applications from individuals and other groups being processed. This may create a few delays. If you haven’t heard yet, be patient. If you have questions email Jo on info@climatechangerg.org

Save the date:

24 October, 2009 ….see www.350.org. This is an invitation to help build a movement–to take one day and use it to stop the climate crisis. More info next newsletter.

Once again, feedback on our newsletter, questions and ideas greatly welcome. Contact us on info@climatechange.org

Penny Wong to speak in Meadowbank this Monday night

At very short notice Maxine McKew has arranged for Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change to speak next week at a forum.
Time: Monday 6th April, 7- 8.30pm
Venue: Shepherds’ Bay Community Centre, 3a Bay Drive Meadowbank

It’s essential that any one in this area who wants effective climate change policy is part of the audience if at all possible to let your concern be known to the government. A small attendance will reassure the government that they can continue to do deals with the big polluters and the community won’t mind too much.

RSVP by Friday 3 April to Maxine McKew’s electoral office on 9816 5911. If you can’t make it please call her office anyway and tell them you are unable to attend but that you want to see a better response to climate change.

Maxine McKew has told our group that the plan is better than we would have had under Howard. However this plan is worse than doing nothing. It will undermine existing policies to move Australia to renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean transport. It will pay polluters billions of dollars in compensation and use the voluntary emissions reductions you make to free up even more permits for polluters. Worst of all, it will lock Australia into a weak 5% emissions reduction target and close off the option of achieving the much deeper cuts in greenhouse emissions we need to prevent climate catastrophe.

The Shepherd’s Bay centre is only a few minutes from Ryde Council Chambers, at the bottom of Bowden St, off Victoria Road or a short walk from Meadowbank Station. Here’s a map.

View Larger Map

Climate Snakes and Ladders in Gladesville

Last Friday we helped the Federal government play games in the face of the climate crisis at Maxine McKew’s office in Gladesville. We chalked a giant snakes and ladders board on the pavement and with a giant dice and counters tackled a board with too few ladders and too many big snakes. Of course we cleaned up all the chalk after and left it cleaner than before. See the pictures here. 

Have your say on emissions trading

The Greens have established a Senate Inquiry into Climate Policy, which will report on the environmental adequacy of the Government’s scheme. You can make a submission to the inquiry with this link here. Have your say on emissions trading.

What’s wrong with the Federal government’s carbon pollution scheme? (made simple)

Free permits? Cap and trade? If the talk about the government’s policy is turning your head to marshmallow (like us) read the Ten Big Problems with the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, which is the simplest explanation we have found so far. tenbigproblemswiththecprs.pdf 

Group Solar Buy up

A fantastic response from supporters and others in the area to our bulk solar purchase. 38 applications were received which have now all been sent to Aussie Solar, the provider, who will send off rebate applications and contact each person to discuss site needs and confirm quotes for the solar panels.

Group Solar Buy up

After the encouraging response from you to the item in our last newsletter on a bulk purchase of discounted solar panels we decided to go ahead with the project. We have had lots of inquiries already following an article in the Northern District Times last week. Unfortunately we don’t have much time as the rebate closes soon. If you are interested in installing a 5 kilowatt system of solar photo voltaic panels on your roof for around $2,000 have a look at our website. http://climatechangerg.org/solar/multi-installation

Be quick. Written applications must be sent to our post office box by 26 March.

Joint Climate Groups Day of Action on 27 March

Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group will be joining climate groups around Australia in protesting outside our Federal member’s office on Friday 27^th March at 10am. This protest is directed at the Federal governments inadequate response to climate change in the shape of low targets, massive concessions to polluters and a single strategy response to climate change in the shape of an emissions trading scheme.

Since this government seems to be playing games with returning us to a safe climate we plan to have fun and play our own giant game of snakes and ladders (too few ladders… too many snakes). Come and watch as a way of adding your voice to the thousands of Australians who are asking the Federal government to take this issue seriously. For a brief summary on whats wrong with the proposed scheme. http://www.climatecampaign.info/take_action_now/tan0902_CPRS.htm

Printable solar technology ‘heralds electronic revolution’

The CSIRO is developing solar cells that can be printed out by the metre, like banknotes.
To check out the ABC News story done on it recently go to
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/19/2496458.htm

Coming clean on clean coal

A US group called the Reality Coalition has come together to call the coal industry to account for disseminating misinformation about the impact of coal and solutions. To help them in their campaign they engaged film makers the Cohen Brothers to make a humorous video which has been posted on Youtube. Here’s the link

Reality Coalition video on YouTube

Retired salespersons, counsellors, advertising executives and electrical engineers sought

450ppm is a recently formed climate action group based in West Ryde working to educate the public and work with large power producers to help return our emissions to the safe CO 2 level of 450parts per million. If you have any of these skills and some time to offer contact Terry McBride on 0418 859 211.
 

Circling Federal parliament for the climate

Members of your climate action group were amongst the 2,500 people who circled Parliament House in Canberra on 3 Feb, the first sitting day for 2009, to send a “climate emergency” message to the Rudd government. It was a peaceful and powerful display of our intent to put climate change at the top of the political agenda in 2009.

Photos from the day are here: climate emergency photos

Time to get more active?

We are looking to expand our core group who meet monthly, to plan ways to respond locally to climate change, share information about climate change actions and activities elsewhere, and plan our newsletter.

If you like teamwork and want to get more active on this issue come to our next meeting on 4 March at 7.30 – 9.30pm in Gladesville to plan our next local event. Call Lynda on 9817 0451 or Jo on 9816 3594 for details.

Bush fires face of future?

Victorian fire fighters have written an open letter to the PM calling for a review of Australia’s fire risk and readiness in the face of global warming - Peter Marshall, The Age, 12 Feb 09

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/face-global-warming-or-lives-will-be-at-risk-20090211-84od.html

Interested in going solar?

We are considering following the lead of Blue Mountains and Newcastle climate groups and setting up a group discounted purchase of electricity generating solar panels. Aussie Solar are offering a 1 kilowatt system for approximately $990 (after Federal govt rebate) if there are 30 households in this area wanting to participate. For more info see: http://www.aussiesolar.com.au/html/home.php

A 1kw system will generate approximately 5 kw per day which is enough for half to ¾ of average household use (look at your electricity bill). This is a very big discount and the rebate is due to expire on June 30th so we will need to move quickly. To indicate your interest or find out more call Jo on 9816 3594.

Letter from Maxine McKew

Ms Maxine McKew has replied to our December letter which pointed out that the Government’s final Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will do so little to address climate that it will be wasted money. Ms McKew assures us in her letter that the Labor government’s response is far more extensive than the Howard government and suggests the view that we face a climate emergency is alarmist.

Upcoming Events

CARBON AND CONSUMERS
A conference of the Energy and Consumer’s Advocacy Program
27 February 2009 9am to 4pm UNSW CBD Campus, 11 O’Connell St Sydney (corner Bent St)

The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will increase the cost of heating, cooling, lighting and cooking and storing food. How will low-income and other disadvantaged households cope with and respond to this increase in the price of electricity?

Speakers:
Dr Ian McAuley, University of Canberra, Allan Asher, Former CEO Energywatch (UK) and others. Enquiries and registration should be addressed to Joel Pringle: 8898 6520.

Disastrous climate target and emissions trading scheme

This week the Federal Govt. announced its response to climate change with the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). As you are no doubt aware the target set was an unbelievable 5%, lower even than that suggested in the government’s own Green Paper, with generous compensation to emitters and households. Many doubt the initiative will have any impact on reducing emissions or energy consumption.It is troubling that a newly elected Labor government with a clear mandate on action for the climate would produce a proposal that fall so far short of what the United Nations has called for - that is a 25-40% cut by 2020 which they have established is needed to avoid catastrophic effects on the climate. Even the government’s own advisor and architect of the scheme Prof Ross Garnaut has criticised the government for the low targets and size of the compensation package under which Rio Tinto, BP, and Alcoa, along with Bluescope Steel, will be given $917 million between them in free permits in 2010, the first year of emissions trading. http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/global-warming/carbon-plan-fuels-meltdown/2008/12/19/1229189886133.html

Back down by Federal MP

The Federal Member for Bennelong campaigned last year on a climate action platform and secured the support of many groups such as ours in her efforts as well as many votes. In the view of the Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group the current proposal is a betrayal of this position and makes hypocrites of this government.

Tell them what you think

In announcing the package the PM suggested that it was a debate between industry and environment groups. He neglected the views of the community completely.   Email our Federal MP Maxine McKew and ask her not to vote for the climate proposal.     Maxine.McKew.MP@aph.gov.au   Consider also expressing your concerns to Kevin Rudd http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/index.cfm  

Visit to Maxine McKew’s office

Following the suggestion of the Newcastle climate change action group, our group along with many others across the country expressed our concerns this week by visiting our local Federal MP’s office. We were rebuffed by police who refused to allow us to deliver a letter to Ms McKew but we received plenty of support from passing motorists who enjoyed our posters by honking their horns.  

Walk against Warming

Great to see those who joined us at Walk Against Warming on 15^th November. Over 15,000 people were reported to have attended in Sydney. The Northern District Times covered our participation in an article on 12 November.

Wishing you a safe and peaceful festive season

Counting down…. to the Federal Government announcement on the climate change plan.

In early December the Federal Govt will announce Australia’s response to Climate Change and set legislation in motion for the introduction of an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The coming weeks are vital in influencing the shape of this. There is a need to show politicians that climate change is still our most pressing crisis.

Meeting with Maxine McKew

This week we met with Maxine McKew, our Federal MP to urge the government to recognize climate change as an emergency. We gave her a copy of the book Climate Code Red  by Phillip Sutton and David Spratt. We asked for her support on

• an emissions target of 25% by 2020,
• action for 2010 to be the year in which Australia’s carbon emissions peak
• losing the proposed subsidies in the proposed ETS for big carbon emitters.

We received a cordial welcome but were left with many concerns as Ms McKew suggested that there would be compromises to be made and that Australia would still continue to rely on coal. We also raised our concerns about the $100,000 income test on the solar rebate. Ms McKew suggested that this rebate was set at a reasonable level.

Sign GetUp’s petition

Get up have are this week asking people to sign their online petition to call on the Federal government for strong emissions targets.

Get up report that Treasury have just crunched the numbers and declared that action on climate change is affordable.

The Prime Minister is on the edge of a decision about the target  but still under immense pressure from polluting industries. Help tip the balance towards a safe climate. Sign the petition today www.getup.org.au/campaign/WereUpForIt

Walk against Warming Saturday 15 November

Please join us  at this annual rally that brings together all different groups and individuals who care about this issue. Now more than ever a large turn out is needed as the government sets our emissions target. A small turn out will lead government leaders to assume that the community aren’t concerned.

Where: Martin Place, Sydney CBD
When: Saturday Nov 15, 11am.

We will be meeting near the war memorial in Martin Place – between George and Pitt Streets – look for our banner. For more info go to: http://www.walkagainstwarming.org/?page=nsw.php&s=3

Local Climate Forum with Penny Wong – 19th  November

Penny Wong Federal Minister for Climate Change will be speaking at a forum at Ryde Secondary College on 19 November at Ryde Secondary College auditorium to explain the Federal Govt’s Strategy on combating Climate Change.

The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will be one of the main mechanisms that Govt. is proposing to employ to cap carbon. As it stands this proposed ETS will protect large polluters like coal fired power stations for some time and so slow the transition to a low carbon economy.

Even if you feel well informed about this event, please consider attending and  letting others know about this event – a strong showing from our community sends a powerful message to the government

Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Ryde Secondary College,(Multi-Purpose Centre, Forrest Rd, Ryde
RSVP 14 November, 9816 5911

Want to get more active?

If you like teamwork and would like to get more active on this issue come to a  meeting on 11 November at 7pm to plan our next local event. Call Lynda on 0404 013 270.

Lastly…

Smile. Enjoy the winning entry of New Matilda Cartoon of the Year Competition

Meeting with Maxine McKew

Well we missed out on meeting with John Watkins (who resigned two days before our meeting) but this month RGCCAG will meet  Maxine McKew, MP for Bennelong. We plan to find out what actions she has taken in relation to climate change and encourage her to argue for stronger targets in the forthcoming white paper on responding to climate change than those suggested by Prof Garnaut. We will publicise the results in our next newsletter. If you have questions you would like put to her, email  info@climatechangerg.org by 27th October.

Walk Against Warming

Walk Against Warming (11 am Sat 15 November, Martin Place) is the annual rally that brings all those concerned about climate change out to be counted. Without a large turn out, it’s easy for the media, business and government to think that people don’t care. It comes at a critical point, when world governments are deciding how to respond to the climate crisis. The community’s  voice has never been more important

The NSW Nature Conservation Council which organises the Walk is asking for volunteers to help distribute flyers and posters. If you can help call 9279 2466 or email climatevolunteer@nccnsw.org.au

The cost of bottled water

Some facts from a recent article in New Internationalist September 2008

• A bottle of water has an ecological footprint = to quarter filling it with oil.
• Each ton of PET produces 3 tons of C02.
• Much of it is shipped 1,0000s of kilometres before use generating more C02 emissions.
• Only 36% of PET bottles are recycled, 40-50% are shipped to other countries for recycling (releasing more C02 on the way)
• The proportion of recycled plastic in PET bottles is very low because its cheaper to produce bottles from unused PET.
                                                                do you really need it ?

Upcoming Events

Forum – Connecting Cities: Ideas and inspiration for sustainable cities
Thursday 23 October 6.30-8.00pm State Theatre Market St City
Speakers from London and Mumbai. Free. More info http://www.sydney2030.com.au/

Free GreenHome workshops for Ryde
7-9pm, 29 October, 5 ,12,19  November  North Ryde Golf Club, Twin Road, North Ryde. Workshops being held locally by the ACF to help residents reduce energy usage in the home. 
http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=2018

Walk Against Warming
11am Sat 15 Nov, Martin Place, Sydney
Australia’s biggest day of action on climate change. Come and walk with Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group under our banner.
WalkAgainstWarming.org

Read our local elections newsletter, which is in Adobe pdf format.

You may need to download Adobe’s free pdf reader, if you don’t already have it.

Welcome to new supporters and thanks to those who came by our stall at the Moocooboola Festival and said hello or participated in our message to Kevin Rudd to respond urgently to climate change. Check out our banner and message and those of other groups across Australia.  http://turnthetidekevin.blogspot.com/    

Al Gore: His challenge to the USA

The USA can and should to shift to 100% renewables for electricity production in the next 10 years. This case was put by Al Gore in a major speech on 17 July.  

“There are times in the history of our nation when our very way of life depends upon dispelling illusions and awakening to the challenge of a present danger. In such moments, we are called upon to move quickly and boldly to shake off complacency, throw aside old habits and rise, clear-eyed and alert, to the necessity of big changes…” http://wecansolveit.org/content/pages/304/    

Climate Code Red

The necessary response to the rapid changes to our climate is to view the situation as an emergency. This is the case made by David Spratt and Phillip Sutton in their new book ”Climate Code Red: The case for emergency action” . They argue that we need to stop thinking about what is reasonable and respond to the situation with measures that can return us to a safe climate.  

A summary was published in The Age on 8 August. Middle of the road … towards a cliff  

Afternoon with Local Government Election Candidates

A forum is being held by the Ryde – Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society to find out the views of Council election candidates on climate change - especially the impact on threatened species. 

Date: Saturday 23rd August
Time: 2:00 – 4:00pm
Place: Environmental Education Centre, Field of Mars Reserve
(enter at car park off Pittwater Road, Gladesville)  

Meeting with John Watkins, Member for Ryde

Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group are meeting with our local state member in the next 2 weeks to ask him how current state policy is going to impact on emissions reductions. Watch this space.