July 2018 Newsletter

WHAT’S ON

It’s plastic free July.  Want to know what soft plastics you can put in the red bins at Coles and Woolworths?  Have a look at this guide and share with everyone http://www.redcycle.net.au/what-to-redcycle/   Taronga Zoo has a guide for you calculate your impact on marine life.  https://taronga.org.au/litter-free-oceans/

NEWS AND EVENTS

Politicians and how they vote  Have you wondered how your federal MP or senator may have voted on some issues?  You can see by going to these websites. For House of Representatives https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/ then click on your MP.  For Senate https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/

Climate change an existential threat  A Senate enquiry has told parliament that climate change could inflame regional conflicts over food, water and land and even imperil life on Earth. Don’t expect any action from the federal government https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/18/climate-change-an-existential-security-risk-to-australia-senate-inquiry-says

Australian wins global energy prize University of NSW professor Martin Green has become the first Australian to win the global energy prize from a short list that included Elon Musk. A great story!! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/09/move-over-elon-global-energy-prize-goes-to-australias-solar-guru

Graphs to show how our climate is changing Here are some graphs from the 2° Institute showing how things are changing globally https://www.climatelevels.org/?pid=2degreesinstitute&theme=grid-light

Electric cars and water taxis  Oxford is trial pop-up electric car charging stations in an effort to encourage electric cars and reduce air pollution https://www.ecdonline.com.au/content/efficiency-renewables/news/pop-up-electric-vehicle-charging-points-trial-1320489766#axzz5HgxdEV2g  while trials have been held on Lake Geneve of an electric water taxi. https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/case-study/electric-water-taxi-tested-on-lake-geneva-940107989

Direct Action has been an outstanding failure Here are a number of articles that show the billions of wasted dollars  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/28/government-advisers-call-for-emissions-fund-to-end-investment-in-junk-credits   and here https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/29/land-clearing-wipes-out-1bn-taxpayer-funded-emissions-gains  and here https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/03/up-in-smoke-what-did-taxpayers-get-for-their-2bn-emissions-fund and major parties’ emissions targets are not good https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/12/australias-emissions-reduction-target-unambitious-irresponsible

Farmers and climate change Farmers are challenging the National Party’s claim that the current drought cannot be attributed to climate change https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/06/national-party-comments-on-drought-and-climate-a-disservice-to-farmers

SA now exporting energy In the meantime SA is now exporting its renewable energy  https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/05/south-australia-rides-renewables-boom-to-become-electricity-exporter

Carbon bubble and stranded assets A report has said advances in clean energy are expected to cause a suddend drop in demand for fossil fuels, leaving companies with trillions in stranded assets. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/04/carbon-bubble-could-spark-global-financial-crisis-study-warns  So why has a federal minister Steve Ciobo overturned a ban on onshore mining loans without consultation (hint: to allow EFIC to help Adani) ? https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/06/steve-ciobo-overturned-mining-loan-ban-without-consulting-department And  why do Australia’s big banks still lend to fossil fuel projects? See how much and then write to them and ask they stop using this easy form letter https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/banks-new/twodegrees/

The real reason electricity is so expensive And it’s not renewable energy but those gold plated poles and wires. An article a few years old but still relevant, particularly as the states contemplate the NEG. https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2014/july/1404136800/jess-hill/power-corrupts

Adani  Wagners, the company which is to construct the airstrip for the Adani mine, is now being targeted by protesters  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/11/anti-adani-protesters-target-construction-firm-wagners-over-30m-contract  Sign this petition asking EFIC does not fund Adani (as result of Ciobo’s actions see article above) https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/great-barrier-reef–3/efic-no-money-for-adani-petition/no-taxpayer-money-for-adani And now Adani wants to build a bigger dam without the need for a new review https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/13/adani-says-450-bigger-carmichael-dam-does-not-need-new-review Is the Queensland government trying to provide funding for infrastructure for this mine? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/06/queensland-ministers-will-be-targeted-if-state-funds-roads-for-adani-warn-activists

Great Barrier Reef (GBR)  Things are dire and still the federal government is incapable of action. Some graziers are working to stop soil flowing into the GBR https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/21/deep-in-cattle-country-graziers-go-against-the-flow-to-help-the-great-barrier-reef , Australians don’t want to visit because of coral bleaching  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/08/domestic-tourism-to-great-barrier-reef-falls-in-wake-of-coral-bleaching

Companies not assessing climate change risks ASIC has warned company directors who don’t consider climate change risks today could be found liable for breaching their care of duty in the future. https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/asic-warns-on-climate-risk-as-heat-turns-on-directors-20180618-p4zm7j.html

And now a good news story !!  The company GenexPower, has received finance from NAIF (you know, the group the Federal government wants to allow money to be lent to Adani) for a solar and pumped hydro project in Queensland. https://reneweconomy.com.au/genex-lands-516m-naif-loan-for-solar-and-storage-project-33669/

RECYCLING and SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Yellow bin recyling in Ryde Not sure what you can put in your yellow bin in the Ryde council area? Here’s a quick list to help you.http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/waste/2017-07-yellow-recycling-guide.pdf