July 2020 Newsletter | Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group

WHAT’S ON

#StopAdani national summit Join the summit via Zoom on 18 July 10am-3pm. There are options for you to choose which sessions you’d like to attend. For details and costs go to https://www.stopadani.com/2020summit

Webinars Australia Wildlife Conservancy has a number of recorded webinars about their work in sites around Australia. See them at https://www.australianwildlife.org/awc-in-conversation/
NCC also has some interesting webinars. See them at https://www.nature.org.au/blog/2020/05/join-us-for-cocktails-and-conservation/

WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING

Wrote to John Alexander about our concerns the federal government is wanting a gas-led recovery to Covid-19.

Made a submission to AEMO about the proposal for rooftop PV to be switched off in times of emergencies.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Renewables not fossil fuels for a Covid-19 recovery Businesses and unions are calling for renewables. Read this article https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/07/renewable-energy-stimulus-three-times-as-many-australia-jobs-fossil-fuels-coronavirus-economic-recovery and this one https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/22/australian-government-urged-to-back-sustainable-covid-19-recovery-with-clean-energy-transition
But the Covid-19 recovery team is full of fossil fuel executives – read here https://www.facebook.com/350.orgAustralia/videos/2621465618112167/ and here
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/gas-stench-permeates-the-covid-19-commission,14024
Sign the following petitions/letters asking for a renewables recovery. 350.org https://fossilfuelwatch.good.do/stopthegas-firedrecovery/fossilfuelwatch/ Australian Institute https://nb.tai.org.au/renewables_led_recovery GetUp! https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/covid-recovery/protect-renewable-investments/stop-the-pollution-of-clean-energy

Government wants ARENA and CEFC to fund fossil fuels Sign the letter to voice your opposition
https://www.solarcitizens.org.au/email_govt_save_arena_and_cefc

Let’s stop Santos’ Narrabri gas project The NSW government supports this highly contentious and destructive CSG project https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/santos-gets-nsw-government-nod-for-3-6b-csg-project-20200612-p551w8.html Read this very useful article about the project.
https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/people-power-can-halt-gas-expansion-an-interview-with-stop-csg-sydneys-pip-hinman/
Here is some additional information about the problems with this project put together by Lock the Gate. https://www.climatechangerg.org/wp-content/uploads/NGP-Submission-Presentation-follow-up-LC.pdf Watch this video about the effects of this mine on farmers https://www.lockthegate.org.au/vickery_ipc_hearing
It now needs to go through the Independent Planning Commision for public comment.The local community including farmers is strongly opposed to this project and has been fighting it for many years. We strongly urge you to make a submission – it doesn’t have to be long. You can lodge your submission at https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say Project is SSD-6456 Narrabri Gas Project.Closing date 31 July.

Whitehaven wants to expand its Vickery coal mine Make a submission using this easy guide to oppose this project which will take even more water from the Namoi River. Submissions close 10 July https://www.lockthegate.org.au/vickery_ipc_hearing

Shenhua Mine This proposed mine, in the most productive farminmg area in the State, would destroy not only the farm land but significant aboriginal sites as well. Sign the petition asking it not go ahead https://agreennsw.good.do/gomeroisites/petition/

Offshore mining The government is still keen to allow offshore mining, including WA’s World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-16/world-heritage-sites-skirt-areas-nominated-for-exploration/12359418 Sign the petition saying no to mining in our marine wilderness areas. https://wilderness.good.do/ningaloo/acreagerelease/

Environmental Protection Law The Federal government wants to make them weaker before the review is completed. Sign the petition asking your Coalitition MP or senator to wait until the review is completed. https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/surge/environmental-protection-laws-contact-your-mp/raise-your-voice-for-the-environment
The Auditor General has found deficiencies in Environment Department’s processes https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-25/auditor-general-severe-deficiencies-environmental-protection/12393780

How to exit coal by 2030 Interestingly, there are not that many jobs directly extracting the coal. https://theconversation.com/if-we-could-design-jobkeeper-within-weeks-we-can-exit-coal-by-2030-heres-how-to-do-it-141178
The NSW government still thinks coal is great despite what the global market says
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/nsw-s-bullish-coal-export-plan-defies-the-global-market-realities-20200625-p5563i.html
We don’t have time for a gradual transition https://reneweconomy.com.au/too-late-for-gradual-transition-quiggin-calls-for-coal-exit-by-2030/ We need an orderly exit plan https://www.tai.org.au/content/getting-coal-orderly-early-transition-minimise-impact-australian-economy And more companies want to mine in the Galilee Basin.https://inqld.com.au/business/2020/06/17/another-huge-coal-deposit-emerges-near-blackall/ Four insurers won’t be insuring Adani https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/aspen-re-rules-out-insuring-adani-mine-20200619-p5547s.html
https://reneweconomy.com.au/nsw-first-renewable-zone-attracts-stunning-27gw-of-solar-wind-storage-proposals-82163/
Up to 11,000 jobs in renewable energy sector in jeopardy because Federal government has no policies for renewables https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/25/up-to-11000-renewable-energy-jobs-could-be-lost-under-morrison-government-policies