2040 Film Showing
We have managed to organise a showing at Macquarie Event Cinema on 14 October at 7pm of the inspiring film 2040 which shows how we can deal with climate change now using the technology we currently have. To guarantee the screening going ahead, at least 77 people must make a booking by 4 October. Go to this link for tickets and information.
https://fan-force.com/screenings/2040-event-cinemas-macquarie/
We encourage you to bring family, friends and acquaintances and look forward to seeing you there.
Supporters Meeting Outcomes
Thanks everyone who came to our meeting on 2 September. Lots of good ideas and energy. We decided to maintain our focus in 2019/20 on the Adani coal mine, to organize a screening of the film 2040 and to promote the 20 September climate strike with the secret weapon of chalk.
Council Round Up
After many long months Ryde Council has agreed to our proposal to host a forum with businesses in Macquarie Park on renewable energy.
We continue to participate in Council sub-committees on renewable energy and climate action.
Ryde Council was a finalist in the Cities Power Partnership awards for the PV system installed on the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre. Its installation was completed this year and is the largest of its kind in North Western Sydney.
WHAT’S ON
School strike A reminder of the school strike on Friday 20 September 12-2pm in the Domain. We will be going and invite you to join us. Some of us will be catching the M52 that leaves Top Ryde at about 11am and which stops at the bus stop outside Aldi at the corner of Monash Rd and Victoria Rd at about 11.15am. Otherwise, look for us and our banner at the Domain. Be part of this really important demonstration.
Sustainable House Day On 15 September, sustainable houses are open for inspection for you to see what can be done. Registration necessary. https://sustainablehouseday.com/subscriber-registration/
Corroboree Yaama Ngunna Baaka This is a celebration of Aboriginal culture, the precarious state of the Darling River system and the need for us to advocate for its survival. It is an invitation to travel along the river 28 September to 4 October. For details and how to join go to https://www.ngunna.com/
There is also a silent auction of art works to support this corroboree at Articulate project space 497 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt. Closes 8 October. For details go to http://articulateupstairs.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
National Conference ARRCC ARRCC is a multi-faith, member-based organisation of people committed to taking action on climate change. Conference is in Canberra at Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture 8-10 November. For details go to http://arrcc.org.au
Manly Environment Centre Looking for something to do that involves the environment? Activities from walking to making Boomerang Bags are included in this comprehensive listing of things to do in Sydney. A new listing is put out every month at http://www.mec.org.au
WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING
In the last month we have done the following:
We made a submission to Ryde Council’s New Ryde Heart campaign to design the new civic centre, promoting a sustainable low energy build with high community engagement capacity .
NEWS AND EVENTS
Community Power Agency A group that supports communities to develop their own clean energy projects. Check out who they are and what they do https://cpagency.org.au/
Climate Change – the facts. Watch this documentary by David Attenborough on why we need immediate action on climate change.
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/climate-change-the-facts
Saving our native animals Sign the petition asking Susan Ley, the federal environment minister, for stronger laws to protect our unique fauna.
https://www.envirojustice.org.au/projects/protect-our-wildlife/
LNG – bad in so many ways The federal government is talking up LNG https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/07/fuelling-the-climate-crisis-why-lng-is-no-miracle-cure-for-australias-coal-addiction In the meantime, the NT government has nominated 50% of the territory is open to fracking.https://nt.gov.au/industry/mining-and-petroleum/land-tenure-and-availability
And now energy giants want to unlock more areas to gas mining https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/energy-giants-urge-states-to-unlock-gas-resources-20190823-p52k4t.html
Australia – major contributor to climate crisis Our fossil fuel exports make us a major contributor to green house emissions https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/08/fossil-fuel-exports-make-australia-one-of-the-worst-contributors-to-climate-crisis Australia is now the world leader on fossil fuel exports https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/thebriefing/2019/08/19 And our emissions just keep going up. Read this article https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/09/australias-emissions-reach-the-highest-on-record-driven-by-electricity-sector and this one https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/30/australia-carbon-emissions-rise-again-greenhouse-gas-lng
Adani The engineering company GHD is helping Adani construct its mine. Sign the petition asking them not to https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/climate-action-now/tell-ghd-build-our-future-not-adani-s-dirty-coal-mine/tell-ghd-build-our-future-not-adani-s-dirty-coal-mine And then sign the letter to Westpac asking it not fund GHD (in contravention of Westpac’s announcement it would not fund the Carmichael Mine) https://www.marketforces.org.au/westpac-and-hsbc-violate-their-coal-policies-to-fund-adani-carmichael/
Adani would be unviable without $4.4billion in subsidies
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/29/adani-mine-would-be-unviable-without-44bn-in-subsidies-report-finds
Home PV battery storage Choice has done some investigating. https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/energy-saving/solar/articles/solar-battery-trial
Coal – no future. Australia’s biggest coal customers, China and Japan, see a different future to the Australian government (and federal Labor) for coal. https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/china-and-japan-see-the-future-and-it-s-not-coal-why-australia-will-be-stranded-20190816-p52hr3.html Australia’s stance at the recent Pacific Islands Forum was unforgivable. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/14/australia-coal-pacific-tension-scott-morrison-forum
Plastics – how to tackle the problem. SA leads the way on banning plastics in Australia. Yeah!! https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/06/leading-the-country-south-australia-to-ban-plastic-cutlery-straws-and-stirrers
Sign the petition asking for an Australian nationwide ban https://www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/plastic-pollution-reduction-target/
In the meantime countries are taking up the challenge https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/07/the-search-for-a-cleaner-greener-plastic-ocean-pollution-landfill-bioplastic-pla-composting
And Australian scientists at Deakin University are working on projects to to make waste and recycling a circular economy. https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/news/scientists-redesigning-materials-for-circular-economy-912852404
Superannuation and fossil fuel investment Many super funds are still investing your money in fossil fuel projects. Send them a note and ask them to change this practice. https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/super/voting-against-climate-action/
Future Fund Sign the petition asking that this fund, which is money for our future, divest from its fossil fuel investments. https://ourfuturefund.org.au/
Great Barrier Reef It’s not in good shape, not helped by 90% of sugar cane farmers who have not changed their practices to stop runoff. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/30/only-10-of-sugarcane-growers-in-reef-catchment-properly-managing-runoff and Agforce, Queensland’s farmers lobby group, is questioning the science of what’s happening to the Reef.(Let’s not forget the cane farmers in the 1930’s didn’t believe scientists who said cane toads were a bad idea – and look where that got us!)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/02/agforce-backs-calls-for-review-of-consensus-science-on-great-barrier-reef
Mineral carbonation It involves capturing carbon and storing it. Can possibly be used to make building materials. https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/energy/article/battling-climate-change-with-carbon-mineralisation-1355935865
RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Recycled Eyes If you’re looking for new glasses , Australian made spectacle frames made of 100% recycled plastic are now available from Dresden. They can also fit new lenses to old frames. https://dresden.vision/au/
How to recycle properly Not sure of how to recycle properly? Look at this handy video from Ryde Council https://www.youtube.com/watch
Repair Cafe Is open 1st and 2nd Sunday of each month from 2-4pm at the Living and Learning Centre, 180 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove. Items from jewellery to household electrical items can be repaired for a gold coin donation. https://repaircafesydneynorth.net/
Soft plastic recycling Know what you can put in the soft plastic recycling bins at Coles and Woolies by going to http://www.redcycle.net.au
Recycling empty costmetic containers L’Occitaine will accept any used plastic cosmetic containers. Body Shop will do the same.
Recycling old clothes H&M and Zara will accept any used clothes, particularly those not good enough for resale at Vinnies or Salvos.
Other difficult recycling You can drop off batteries, light bulbs, printer cartridges and mobile phones in special bins in places such as Eden Gardens and Ryde Centre at Top Ryde as well as some retailers. For all the locations go to https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Other-Waste-Services/Problem-Waste-Drop-Off-Stations