November 2018 Newsletter

WHAT’S ON

Waste tour Ryde Council is running a free tour of the Visy recycling centre on 12 November 9am -1.30pm.  See where your recycling goes and what you can do to improve it.  Booking essential on https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/your-waste-adventure-tour-12-november-2018-tickets-41691436208

National Recycling Week 12- 18 November Planet Ark in association with a number of organisations is running events to help you recycle better. Check out their website https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/nationalrecyclingweek/

WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING 

In the last  month we have done the following:

Made a submission regarding flora and fauna extinction rates in Australia

NEWS AND EVENTS

SA to have 100% of electricity from renewables by 2025 Yep, that’s what the AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) predicts. http://www.climatechangenews.com/2018/08/17/south-australia-hit-100-renewable-power-2025-market-operator/

Cleaner, Greener NSW NCC has released its latest campaign for policies leading up to the 2019 election and beyond. Read it at https://www.nature.org.au/media/324115/final-election-platform-2019-single-pagescompressed.pdf

Korean investors and Adani Three Korean financial institutions have said they will not finance Adani’s Carmichael mine or associated infrastructure. However, there are still some who are considering supporting Adani. https://www.marketforces.org.au/korean-lenders-rule-out-adani/#

In the meantime Adani  is trying to fund the mine itself and get it started before the federal election.Sign this petition https://amcs.good.do/StopAdaniNow/act-now/ and/or do a letter and tell you MP to speak out against Adani. There are a lot of nervous Coalition MP’s following the Wentworth election. https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/great-barrier-reef–3/adani-finance-update/email-your-mp-let-s-stop-adani-s-desperate-push-now

Origin to frack in NT  Origin is planning to start shale mining in the NT. At the company’s AGM recently, the company admitted it had not consulted fully with the Aboriginal land owners.  You can ring Origin on 13 244 61 and lodge a complaint about their plans to frack in the NT.  Or you can sign the petition http://nt.seedmob.org.au/

Wales to reject coal mining  The government of Wales, a country which once relied almost entirely on coal, will no longer approve new coal mines. It joins a number of other countries who are turning to renewables for their energy source. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-45887196

Solar installations going through the roof  This year has seen even more PV being installed in both residential and commercial buildings. Yeah !! https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/records-falling-everywhere-solar-panel-demand-goes-through-the-roof-20181101-p50dgw.html  And see where each of the states are in the take up of renewables. https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/states-renewable-energy/

Australia – one of the top deforestation hotspots in the world and we’re the only developed nation on the list. Read WWF’s report https://www.wwf.org.au/knowledge-centre/living-planet-report#gs.HSu4ulY

Fair Dinkum Power  While Scott Morrison struggles to accept the concept of renewable energy, software billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has been inspired to challenge the PM about his claim about “fair dinkum power”. Watch Morrison’s video https://www.smh.com.au/national/fair-dinkum-power-pm-inspires-atlassian-co-founder-to-create-pro-renewables-brand-20181031-p50d69.html and then read about what’s happening in Australia while the government dithers. https://reneweconomy.com.au/billionaire-blows-up-again-over-coalitions-fair-dinkum-power-slogan-38220/

Plastic pollution  The Australian Marine Conservation Society is running a campaign asking the Australian government to commit to a target of 70% reduction of plastic pollution in our waterways and ocean by 2020 and a nationwide phase-out of all single use plastics by 2023.  To find out more and join the campaign, go to https://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/ocean-plastic-pollution.html

Value of coal export to decrease  Despite the Federal government’s assertions, the value of coal exports is due to fall sharply over the next 18 months. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/02/value-of-australian-coal-exports-tipped-to-decline-sharply-over-next-18-months