April 2014 newsletter

Protect the RET
100% Renewable is concentrating on protecting Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) currently under review (by a climate sceptic). You can sign their petition to the government asking them to protect the RET. http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/protecttheret. If you have solar you can join their solar citizens group at www.solarcitizens.org.au/join .

Superannuation funds and the coal industry
The Australian recently ran a story about how the coal industry is lobbying Australian fund managers, including superannuation funds, telling them to stay invested in coal. You can let your superannuation fund know that you want them to stop investing in this industry by filling in this simple email and sending it to your super fund. http://action.marketforces.org.au/page/speakout/coal-industry-response?js=false\

Renewable Energy targets met
Sadly, not in Australia but three European Union countries have already met their 2020 renewable energy targets. http://www.climatecentral.org/news/three-eu-countries-hit-2020-renewable-benchmarks-early-17167

Energy transition tipping point reached
Encouraging article that shows that fossil fuels are on the nose in Europe. http://www.jeremyleggett.net/2014/03/the-energy-transition-tipping-point-is-here-and-there-is-no-going-back

Carbon pricing makes sense
A recent study in US has shown that a higher carbon price would create more jobs and a higher GDP. See the full article in the Australian Independent Media Network http://theaimn.com/2014/03/05/is-anybody-listening/

Extreme weather
The UN climate chief, Christiana Figueres, says flooding and heatwaves have raised the issue of climate change to the highest political level. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/05/extreme-weather-climate-change-political-christiana-figueres-un

Divestment is having an effect
The campaign through 350.org Australia encouraging people and super funds to divest from fossil fuel investments is starting to have an effect. Some recent press articles can be found in the following. In The Australian: “Miners target funds to spread the message on coal”. In the Australian Financial Review:  “Fossil fuel campaigns to plague miners”“First shots fired in mining battle”. In The Age : “Coal miners starting to count the cost of activist pressure on funding”.

Australia, it’s time to divest
3 May is National Fossil Fuel Divestment Day when all those concerned about funding of fossil fuels are called on to close their accounts with Westpac, NAB, ANZ and Commonwealth. You can do it yourself or get assistance to make the transition. See  http://www.marketforces.org.au/divestmentday

Our Land, Our water, Our future
Did you know that mining exploration licences and applications cover 80% of NSW, even water catchments that provide drinking water for Sydney and the Central Coast? Nature Conservation Council is launching a new campaign to make NSW Government keep to its promise of no mining in these areas. Go to www.landwaterfuture.org.au for details.

What’s on

Nature Conservation Council
NCC with the Lane Cove Bushland and Conservation Society is showing documentaries about the impacts of coal and coal seam gas on our land, water, health and communities on Monday 7 April at Lane Cove Living and Learning Centre, 180 Longueville Road, Lane Cove from 6.30-9.30pm. Entry by donation, no RSVP necessary. Further information 0424 330 323

CANA Conference
CANA (Climate Action Network Australia) is hosting a two day conference 3-4 April, starting with an information night on 2 April at NSW Parliament House theatrette from 6-8pm which will look at the latest report from IPCC and the key impacts for Australia in terms of health, food production and fire risks. Key speaker on 3 April is Heather Zichal, Barack Obama’s former climate change adviser. For details and registration go to http://cana.net.au/cana-news/cana-conference-2014

Environmental Justice Symposium
On 4 April the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) and the Griffith University Urban Research Program are hosting a symposium exploring environmental justice issues in Queensland and around the world at Griffith University, Brisbane. Go to
http://www.earthlaws.org.au/events/environmental-justice-symposium-2014

Maules Creek Information Night
On Friday 4 April 6.30-8pm there will be an information night at Pennant Hills Community Centre, cnr Ramsay and Yarra Rd, Pennant Hills about the mine that is being constructed despite 4 years of community opposition. This mine will be a disaster for the climate, prime agricultural land, an endangered forest and sacred cultural sites. Guest speaker is Stephen Laird, whose family has been farming in the Maules Creek for 5 generations. Register here