SOME GOOD THINGS HAVE HAPPENED Gina Rinehart dropped sponsorship of netball; Victorian government announced protection areas of forest habitat of the greater glider possum; more than a dozen global investors are suing Glencore in London’s High court prompted by the company’s conviction of bribery earlier in the year; the EDO and Knitting Nanas have filed a legal challenge to the NSW government’s draconian anti-protest laws; Santos has pulled out of its sponsorship of the Darwin Festival; The NSW Independent Planning Commission rejected Glencore’s Glendell coal mine expansion; The Science Schools Foundation, which runs the Santos Science Experience will not have Santos as its sponsor; Brazil’s supreme court ruled for the reactivation of the Amazon Fund, a major weapon in the country’s fight against deforestation
WHAT’S ON
NAB protest on 11 November starting 8.30 – 10am outside NAB’s head office at 2 Carrington Street, Sydney.
Rally COP 27 Protest will be held on 12 November at 12noon at Sydney Town Hall. It is being organised by School Strike 4 Climate with 13 supporting environmental groups. Let’s make it big and show we want more action and less talk on climate change.
End of year get together Come and join us on 5 December from 6pm at the Sawdust Hotel 386 Victoria Road, Gladesville to celebrate the good things that have happened this year. Parking available at the rear of the hotel.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Fossil fuel advertising in sport Sports men and women as well as fans are calling for the end of fossil fuel companies sponsoring sports. Sign the petition to the federal sports minister. https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/climate-justice/kick-fossil-fuels-out-of-sports/kick-fossil-fuels-out-of-sports
Good things the federal government has done
Methane emissions The federal government has confirmed Australia will sign up to a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 (something the Coalition refused to do). What does this mean? Hint: It’s not the end of the barbeque. https://theconversation.com/no-signing-the-global-methane-pledge-wont-end-the-backyard-barbecue-itll-strengthen-aussie-industries-192617
Cutting funding of gas programs from the recent budget up to $1b. Send a note to your local MP saying this is a good start – now, how about cutting all fossil fuel subsidies? https://fossilfuelwatch.good.do/nogasbailouts/budget-email-your-mp/
Scrapped electricity underwriting scheme (Coalition scheme) which critics had warned could cost billions to prop up fossil fuels and would push up power prices https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/25/albanese-budget-quietly-scraps-coalition-underwrite-new-power-generation-fossil-fuels-power-prices
Restored funding to environmental community legal centres https://www.edo.org.au/2022/10/26/federal-funding-will-help-restore-community-access-to-environmental-justice/
Lots of good things in the budget (but still a long way to go) https://www.acf.org.au/october-2022-budget-night
Impact of fossil fuel projects to be considered in approvals https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/labor-will-reassess-approval-of-almost-20-new-coal-and-gas-projects-20221104-p5bvke.html
Climate Clever is a community carbon reduction platform that allows households and businesses to measure and manage their carbon footprint. To learn more go to https://www.climateclever.org/homeim
Carbon tariffs Could Australia adopt this policy? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/12/businesses-lobby-for-carbon-tariffs-as-labor-says-australia-is-back-in-the-game-on-climates
Hunter Valley no longer loyal to coal. https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2022/09/17/im-not-loyal-coal-the-hunter-readies-changeus
Cotton should we continue to grow this water-thirsty crop? https://theconversation.com/cotton-on-one-of-australias-most-lucrative-farming-industries-is-in-the-firing-line-as-climate-change-worsens-191864op
Murray Darling River system excessive water extractions the cause of the Darling River drying https://theconversation.com/excessive-water-extractions-not-climate-change-are-most-to-blame-for-the-darling-river-drying-192621
Rewiring the nation. Federal and Victorian governments will jointly fund projects to fast track renewable energy zones. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/19/rewiring-the-nation-albanese-and-andrews-governments-to-jointly-fund-renewable-energy-zones
Victoria’s bold new plan Victorian government has announced a 95% renewable energy target. What does this mean? https://theconversation.com/victoria-signals-end-of-coal-by-announcing-a-new-95-renewable-target-its-a-risky-but-vital-move-192941
Governments still getting it wrong
Queensland government approving more coking coal mining despite its renewable energy greenwashing https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-14/coal-continues-in-qld-amidst-renewables-push/101530500 It has approved the expansion of the Acland mine https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/20/queensland-government-clears-way-for-controversial-new-acland-coalmine-expansion
Federal government has announced a massive $1.5 billion fossil fuel subsidy for a huge Middle Arm petrochemical plant to use fracked gas from the Beetaloo – and this after it pledged no new funding for fossil fuels. Sign the letter asking this money not be given. https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/climate-justice/stop-middle-arm-petrochemical-plant/labor-no-1-9-billion-subsidy-for-middle-arm-fracked-gas
NSW government still supporting fossil fuels. Sign the petition asking for a halt to all fossil fuel mining. https://www.abigailboyd.org/fossil_fuel_non_proliferation_treaty
Fossil fuel companies and investors still doing bad things
Peabody’s Metropolitan mine has had its third waste water spill this year into the Royal National Park
TIAA and its subsidiary Nuveen manage the retirement funds for millions of teachers, academics, researchers, health professionals, and non-profit workers and continue to invest in fossil fuel projects and, as a major investor in land, is responsible for large-scale deforestation.
Whitehaven Coal is looking for banks to continue funding its activities. Sign the letter asking banks not do so.
https://www.marketforces.org.au/more-than-20-of-whitehaven-shareholders-reject-climate-wrecking-new-coal-plans/
Shell is being called to account for its greenwashing https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/pressure-mounting-on-318b-energy-giant-that-says-it-cares-about-climate-20221101-p5bup7.html
Move Beyond Coal is a new group focusing on weaning Australia off coal – its use and mining. To find out more about their aims and what you can do to be involved go to https://www.movebeyondcoal.com/
BZE recently launched Deploy, its vision for how Australia can move to a cleaner future. You can watch the video of their recent webinar at https://bze.org.au/events/webinar-deploy/
CSG wells are leaking in Queensland which raises concerns about water quality. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-01/documents-reveal-significant-csg-well-corrosion/101507572
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Recycling solar panels Australian research finds a cost effective way of recycling these. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/16/australian-research-finds-cost-effective-way-to-recycle-solar-panels
Farmers and renewable energy Farmers in regional areas are embracing renewable energy. Read the report co-authored by RE-Alliance and Farmers for Climate Action https://assets.nationbuilder.com/vicwind/pages/2736/attachments/original/1665638558/FARM_POWERED.pdf
Australia and offshore wind farms A fantastic step forward for renewables but effects on marine animals must be considered. https://theconversation.com/australia-is-poised-to-be-a-world-leader-in-offshore-wind-but-any-potential-risks-to-marine-life-remain-poorly-regulated-193212
Rooftop solar trumps fossil fuels On 28 October, renewables contributed over 66% of electricity to the grid, beating previous month’s record. https://reneweconomy.com.au/renewables-reach-record-68-7-per-cent-share-of-grid-power-in-australias-main-grid/
RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Repair Cafe is open the first two Sundays of the month. Next one is November 13 from 2-4pm. Address is 180 Longueville Road, Lane Cove. There is no charge but donations are welcomed. Please wear a mask. For more information go to https://repaircafesydneynorth.net/
Using waste material for building products Researchers at Flinders University are working on sustainable alternatives. https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/waste/case-study/circular-construction-making-bricks-from-industial-waste-372852026
National commitment to circular economy Environment Ministers have committed to work with the private sector to design out waste and pollution, keep materials in use and foster strong end markets to achieve a circular economy by 2030. https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/news/national-commitment-to-circular-economy-by-2030-1457327147
3D printed homes A new way to build in remote and rural locations? https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/03/remote-indigenous-community-pioneers-3d-printed-homes-set-to-change-rural-lives
How to build a circular system for the built environment. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/heres-how-circular-system-building-materials/
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Venezuela Affordable electric vehicles are being made from golf buggies https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/10/venezuela-affordable-electric-vehicles-entrepreneurs
Converting cars to EVs A joint UK- Australian group is doing that for high-end vehicles like Porsches and Land Rovers. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/01/jaunt-motors-zero-ev-merger-fellten-to-convert-classic-cars-vehicles-electric