We wish our supporters all the best for the festive season and we look forward to working with you in the new year, especially with a federal election possible at the end of 2021.
There has been more good news this month: NSW parliament passed Matt Kean’s Electricity Infrastructure Investment Bill; Nestle has committed to 100% renewable and massive tree planting programme: the Federal government’s proposal to weaken EPBC Act failed to pass parliament (but the fight continues – see below): Sydney’s buses will running on 100% renewables by 2030: Officeworks and Woolworths to go to 100% renewables by 2025; the coalminer Peabody Energy about to declare bankruptcy (again): Australian Super dumps Whitehaven Coal investment:
WHAT’S ON
#StopAdani Adani has been fined for illegal land clearing. Go to this link to send a photo and note to Lloyds insurers saying why they should not insure this project. https://www.stopadani.com/lloyds_photos
Heaps better podcast Greenpeace has a series of positive podcasts on what we can do to deal with climate change.https://www.greenpeace.org.au/heapsbetter
Big weather (and how to survive it) Presented by Craig Ruecassel. See it on ABC iview https://iview.abc.net.au/show/big-weather-and-how-to-survive-it
1 Million Women The 1Million Women organisation has a new website where you can check out brands, organisations and community groups providing solutions to act on climate change. https://1millionwomenmarketplace.com.au/
It is also running a raffle – first prize a PV and battery system. Drawn 21 January 2021. To buy tickets go to https://www.raffletix.com.au/1millionwomensolar
Ryde Council is looking for 30 households to participate in a 3 month trial March-May 2021 to improve their waste and recycling habits. Closing date for applications 29 January 2021. To apply go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WasteWiseRyde
Torres Strait Islanders, who brought a climate justice case against the Australian Federal Government to the UN over the government’s inaction on climate change (which the government tried to have dismissed) is holding a virtual story-telling night on 14 December. For info and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/our-islands-our-home-virtual-town-hall-tickets-129803486723
WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING
Made a submission to Senate committee on EPBC
Made a submission to Senate regarding CEFC and ARENA funding not to be used for gas projects
Wrote to NSW Labor Senators asking them for stronger policies on climate change action.
Made a submission to Ryde Council on Net Zero Emissions target
Made a submission supporting Zali Steggal’s Climate Bill
NEWS AND EVENTS
Fossil fuels Read about the history of coal in Australia. Includes interviews with coal miners who want politicians to act responsibly and some links to how coal miners are being transitioned out of the coal mining industry in Germany (a lesson for our pollies) https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-12-06/changing-climate-of-coal-mining-australia-environment/12918334
Wollongong Coal, which is $1b in debt, has been given approval by IPC to expand its mine in Sydney’s water catchment area https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-08/russell-vale-mine-expansion-approved/12962538
ICRA Rollestone, a company controlled by Matt Canavan’s brother, has gone under https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/
Glencore takes axe to coal targets https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/glencore-takes-axe-to-coal-targets-but-says-australia-will-be-spared-20201208-p56lmy.html
ExxonMobil under threat from activist investors https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/07/big-oil-laggard-exxon-faces-new-climate-threat-activist-investors.html
ARENA Watch the video about its accomplishments in making solar the cheapest energy source despite the federal government still wanting to cut its funding and support fossil fuels.
https://www.facebook.com/solarcitizens/videos/289972425787062/
EPBC Act Although the government’s changes failed to pass, we need to continue the pressure on our politicians to demand stronger protections for our fauna and flora. Sign the letter https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/end-animal-extinction
Electric Cars SA, Victorian and possibly NSW governments are planning to tax electric car owners for mileage travelled – a great way to discourage the uptake of EVs
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/11/south-australias-new-tax-on-electric-vehicles-ridiculed-as-a-big-tax-on-not-polluting
Sign the petition asking the NSW treasurer not to go ahead with this https://www.solarcitizens.org.au/stop_the_ev_tax
ACT drivers to have free rego and zero interest loan to buy EV https://reneweconomy.com.au/act-drivers-to-access-free-rego-and-zero-interest-loans-for-electric-cars-52934/
Norway to electrify all car sales by 2025 https://www.tai.org.au/content/norway-leading-pack-electrify-all-car-sales-five-year
Why Australia has no policy for EVs (podcast) https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2020/dec/01/why-australia-has-no-clear-policy-on-electric-vehicles
Green hydrogen The Smart Energy Council is working with industry to develop a certification scheme to guarantee origin of supply of hydrogen https://reneweconomy.com.au/green-hydrogen-or-green-wash-industry-led-scheme-to-guarantee-origin-of-supply-52712/
Bushfire Royal Commission Here are the top ten recommendations https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-30/bushfire-royal-commission-final-report-recommendations/12815204
Then sign the petition organised by Australian Parents for Climate Action asking the government to act on climate change https://www.ap4ca.org/climateaction
Could the result of the bushfires mean the end of native forest logging?
https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2020/november/1604149200/paddy-manning/coupe-de-gr-ce
Australian government’s climate inaction Why inaction is affecting communities https://www.michaelwest.com.au/asleep-at-the-wheel-why-australias-emissions-policy-debacle-puts-hundreds-of-communities-at-risk/
In the meantime here’s some massive projects that could make Australia a renewable energy superpower. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/14/green-giants-the-massive-projects-that-could-make-australia-a-clean-energy-superpower
Gas – really it’s not the answer according to Grattan Institute report.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/flame-out-the-future-of-natural-gas/
Write a postcard to Scott Morrison asking he takes action on climate change. This is part of a worldwide campaign to acknowledge Paris Agreement’s 5 year birthday
https://parentsforfuture.org/fifth_anniversary
What does net zero emissions mean? Is it just a con? Read this article
https://www.treehugger.com/net-zero-targets-disguise-climate-inaction-5084755
And this one https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6992851/net-zero-emissions-by-2050-leadership-or-climate-colonialism/
Wrapping your head around climate change It’s time to open up about your fears.https://www.dw.com/en/how-can-we-wrap-our-brains-around-the-climate-crisis/a-55497883
Meet the philanthropists who are spending up now to tackle climate change.
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/themoney/give-while-you-live:-philanthropists-spending-it-fast-to-fight/12852754
Renewables to overtake coal in 5 years according to IEA
https://reneweconomy.com.au/renewable-energy-generation-will-overtake-coal-within-5-years-says-iea-27813/
Murray-Darling A national disgrace and a monumental NSW government failure. Irrigators favoured over the environment (no surprises there).
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/04/murray-darling-basin-nsw-government-officials-busted-favouring-irrigator-groups
Solar and batteries for schools Do a letter to the NSW education minister asking her to work with the federal government to install PV and batteries in schools https://www.ap4ca.org/sos_nsw
Who are the top plastic polluters in the world? Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle are in the top 10. Read who the others are https://cleantechnica.com/2020/12/05/coca-cola-pepsi-nestle-named-worlds-top-plastic-polluters-for-3rd-year-in-a-row/
Christmas gift ideas Here’s some suggestions of how you can help the environment
NPA (National Parks of Australia) https://npansw.org.au/donations/protect-our-reserve-system/ to support their work in protecting our parks; Environmental Defenders office https://www.edo.org.au/donate/ in their work to help communities fight fossil fuel projects; #StopAdanishop https://www.stopadani.com/shop for something wearable: support the traditional owners Wangan and Jagalingou https://wanganjagalingou.com.au/donate/ for their Adani fighting fund; Bush Heritage https://secure.bushheritage.org.au/donate or Australian Wildlife Conservancy https://www.australianwildlife.org/christmas-appeal-2020/ or WWF (World Wildlife Fund) https://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/regenerate-australia or NCC https://engage.natureaustralia.org.au/content/choose-your-wish-for-nature/gjxhm9 for their ongoing work to protect habitats around Australia; Wilderness Society https://supporter.wilderness.org.au/donation-pages/a2011-a-better-year-for-nature for their work in protecting our forests. Taronga Zoo https://web.thankqportal.com/tarza/appeals-xm20-platypus-edm6/#/stepper to protect the platypus. Lock the Gate https://www.lockthegate.org.au/donate_one_off in their on-going battles against CSG mining.
RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Problem waste drop-off stations There are new problem drop-off stations where you can leave household batteries, mobile phones and accessories, ink cartridges and light bulbs and globes. They are at Bunnings at Gladesville and Macquarie Shopping centre. For details of these and other locations go to
https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Other-Waste-Services/Problem-Waste-Drop-Off-Stations
You can also drop off take-away coffee cups and lids at Macquarie Shopping Centre at special places for recycling – one is outside Woolworths.