WHAT’S ON
CSG film The Lane Cove Coal and Gas Watch group will be showing a film, Sacrifice Zone, about the effect of CSG mining on communities on Monday 7 May 6.30-8.30pm at Lane Cove Library followed by a guest speaker from Narrabri area. Free but coin donation welcome. Pizza supplied, BYO drinks.
Backyard biodiversity Ryde council is running an information session about biodiversity in your own backyard on 16 May 6.30-8.30m at Macquarie University. Free but bookings essential. http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/sustainabilitytalks
National Parks Association (NPA) NPA has a bushwalk program that covers all levels of fitness. Have a look at their website and joing a walk in one of our amazing National Parks. https://npansw.org/bushwalking/
WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING
In the last month we have done the following:
Written to Anthony Roberts about our concerns about Santos’ inadequate Response to Submission about CSG mining in the Pilliga and how it fails on basic questions about the environmental impact and how to deal with waste.
Completed a survey for Victorian Government about its climate targets
Written to John Alexander about CSG and our concerns and highlighting the article mentioned later in this newsletter
NEWS AND EVENTS
Santos and the Pilliga Santos has made its Response to Submission about the Pilliga. Of the over 20,000 public submissions on this project, 98.7% opposed it. However, Santos has not addressed issues such as how groundwater will be affected and what to do with the contaminated salty waste. Let your state MP know about your concerns by following this link https://wilderness.good.do/stopsantosspin/santos-response/
Carmichael mine and putting politicians on notice You can let the party you are most likely to vote for in the next Federal election your concerns about Adani’s mine. Fill in this survey and follow the links to do a letter. https://www.acf.org.au/adani_party_pressure_survey
Fed government, Murray Darling and deleting negative comments The Federal government has forced the UN to delete negative comments about the Murray Darling Project which said the government’s approach had been useless. Remember how they did that about the Great Barrier Reef so that tourists wouldn’t be frightened off? https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/29/australia-gets-un-to-delete-criticism-of-murray-darling-basin-plan-from-report
Industry and renewables How to make PV for industry economic and viable? https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/article/taking-renewables-to-the-next-level-for-industry-736597157
Saving our marine sanctuaries The Federal government wants to halve the size of our marine sanctuaries. Sign this letter to NSW senators asking them to stand up and protect them. http://amcs.good.do/fightforsanctuary/contact/
BP and the Great Australian Bight Recently released documents show that BP thought that an oil spill in the Great Australian Bight would be a great boost to coastal township economies. No, really, they did! Read it here https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/06/bp-plan-to-drill-in-great-australian-bight-risked-750km-oil-spill-documents-show and here https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bp-claims-an-oil-spill-off-australia-s-coast-would-be-a-welcome-boost-to-local-economies-20180406-p4z867.html
Fracking. What exactly is it? You’ve heard the term but not really sure what’s involved? This will help.https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/feb/26/fracking-the-reality-the-risks-and-what-the-future-holds
Half of Australia’s roofs suitable for solar A report from University of NSW says a lot more PV can be installed on our roofs. https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/half-of-australia-s-roofs-suitable-for-solar-research-suggests-20180405-p4z801.html
NZ bans all new offshore exploration Shame Australia doesn’t do the same. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/12/new-zealand-bans-all-new-offshore-oil-exploration-as-part-of-carbon-neutral-future
Gulf stream current weakening The Gulf Stream current is at its weakest in 1600 years which will see western Europe suffer more extreme winters, sea levels rise fast on the eastern seaboard of US and would disrupt vital tropical rains. Yep, climate change is a culprit.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/11/critical-gulf-stream-current-weakest-for-1600-years-research-finds
Plastic eating enzyme Purely by accident, scientists have developed an enzyme that eats plastic and turns it into something useful and recyclable. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/16/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles
NT Government lifts ban on fracking A truly despicable and short sighted decision. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/17/northern-territory-lifts-fracking-ban-opening-up-700000-sq-km-to-gas-exploration
You can send a message to the NT government by sending a photo via Facebook. See this link on what to do.https://www.facebook.com/seedmob.org.au/posts/1684685111599980
ACT to have Electric vehicles In the meantime the ACT government is powering ahead on renewables including electric cars for its fleet.https://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/gov-tech-review/article/act-releases-zero-emission-vehicle-action-plan-749317014
Super funds still investing in fossil fuels The majority of Australian Super funds are voting against climate action at their annual AGMs. AGMs will be held shortly and you can send a note to your super fund to voice your concern. Go to https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/super-campaign/voting-against-climate-action/