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See the collective Climate Action Group letter sent to Morris Iemma and Peter Debnam prior to the State Election March 24 2007. No response to date! Also follow the correspondence that we have engaged in after our Cool Change Curry Night fundraising dinner May 2006. Letters to Morris Iemma, Ian McDonald and Frank Sartor. |
This Letter was sent to Morris Iemma and another sent to Peter Debnam prior to the state election:
To: The Hon. Morris Iemma Premier of NSW Level 40, SYDNEY 2000 14 March 2007 Dear Mr Iemma We are writing to you as one voice from the many citizens’ climate change action groups that have formed across Our members are drawn from the spectrum of this State’s residents, from urban, rural and regional areas. They include small and large business operators, parents, students, grandparents, farmers, migrants, and public service and other employees. Diverse and often dissimilar, we all share a common wish to see far more effective measures undertaken by our leaders to avert the dangerous climate change that scientists across the globe predict. We congratulate your government’s recent announcements regarding rebates for domestic water tanks and solar hot water heating, as well as the GGAS. However, it is clear that these measures alone will not bring about the necessary reductions in emissions to keep global warming below the danger threshold (agreed by the European Union) of 2°C by the time our young children reach adulthood. There is a wealth of knowledge in the public domain regarding climate change, its current and predicted effects, its causes and, increasingly, the necessary steps and options to curb our state’s contribution to this global crisis. The existence of our many groups demonstrates a widespread understanding in NSW about the need for sweeping, legislated changes to industry and society to tackle climate change effectively. We are writing to clearly express to you that: A. Many people in New South Wales are prepared to make the necessary changes to our lifestyles to avert threatening climate change, including paying more for electricity. B. We are acutely aware of the significant contribution of the NSW coal industry to climate change, both here and overseas and we are not convinced by the clean coal pathway. The burning of coal in NSW for electricity is the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions in NSW, and contributes 40% of our State’s greenhouse gas emissions. Exports of NSW coal contribute more to global greenhouse gases than all of C. We expect our government to swiftly impose measures that will cut greenhouse emissions from industry and domestic society to safe levels, and we will support and respect such leadership on this critical matter. D. We are very much aware that there are substantial numbers of highly credible research papers and reports that demonstrate the viability of currently available, clean, renewable energy sources as being able to deliver the majority of the energy needs of this country. On behalf of the undersigned NSW citizens’ climate action groups, we ask that the NSW Labor Party pledges to: 1. Legislate a greenhouse emissions reduction target of at least 30% below 1990 levels by 2020, to put NSW on track for an emissions reduction target of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. 2. Legislate a state renewable energy target of 25% by 2020. 3. Cease the approvals of new or expanded coal mines, coal-fired power stations and coal export infrastructure — beginning with an announcement prior to the State election on the proposed Anvil Hill and Moolarben mines— and support the development of alternative, sustainable industries in the Hunter and other coal-mining regions. 4. Adopt a target of zero energy growth by 2010, with annual reductions thereafter, through increased energy efficiency and demand management. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle attn: Alison Potter glea_1@ozemail.com.au Climate Action Bondi PO Box Bondi NSW 2026 climate.action.bondi@gmail.com Climate Action Now! Wingecarribee (CANWin) Bowral NSW 2576 c/o: Sandra Menteith secretary@canwin.org.au Northern Illawarra Climate Coolers Grey Power, Eastern Suburbs Grey Power, Manly Grey Power, Bennelong Citizens Climate Campaign c/o: George Winston AM Women for Change Woollahra NSW 1350 www.wfca.org.au North Coast Climate Action Group Mullumbimby NSW 2482 Gayle Russell, Convenor info@nccag.org Marrickville Climate Action Now Marrickville NSW 2204 marrickvillecan@yahoo.com.au The Courthouse Group, c/o: Moira Williams courthouse.group@gmail.com c/o: Annie Nielsen Climate Action Coogee c/o: Jacquie Svensen Climate Action c/o: Vicki Brooke co-convenor c/o: Rowan Huxtable huxtable@cyberelectric.net.au Climate Change c/o: Tony Doherty, Co-ordinator Climate Change Port c/o: Jem Hansen, Vice President Climate Action Maroubra — MaCA c/o: Liesel James 6a Sims Grove Maroubra NSW 2035 info@maroubraclimateaction.com Climate Change Balmain Rozelle (CCBR) have been writing to State Ministers regarding our concerns on CO 2 emissions and the proposals to dramatically increase the amount of coal to be mined in this country.
The ‘Letter Trails’ that follow show the correspondence and the responses received. 1. Morris Iemma’s response to CCBR fundraising curry night 2. Ian Macdonald’s response to CCBR fundraising curry night 3. Frank Sartor’s response to CCBR fundraising curry night We urge you to write. Many letters will make a difference. Letter Trail 1. Morris Iemma’s response to our ‘fundraising curry night’ letter which expressed our concern about Global Warming and called for a commitment to investment in renewables...................
11th May 2006 Dear Premier We are a group of parents and residents from Balmain/Rozelle/Lilyfield who are fed up with and increasingly fearful of our governments’ attitude towards climate change. On May 6 we got together for dinner (all 72 of us), to discuss and debate Australia’s alarming CO2 emissions and New South Wales’ unfettered development of the coal industry. We talked about how the planet will heat up by as much as 6 degrees in the next few generations, and how our children face an uncertain future. We raged over the terrible consequences of global warming, and the cascade of environmental, social and economic problems which will be unleashed. We asked ourselves why our governments seem not to care. And we concluded that we have lost faith in state and federal powers to act responsibly on this issue. As a group we are taking steps to reduce our own emissions in our own backyard. And if we can do it, why can’t our governments relinquish their predilection for fossil fuels and commit to clean, renewable energy sources? We are proof that the tide is rising in more ways than one, as time – and the next election – may well tell. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle Morris Iemma’s response……. Mr Alex Peters (sic)
And our response to that……….. The Hon. Morris Iemma, Premier Treasurer, Minister for Citizenship Level 39 Dear Sir, RE: your reply to our email dated 11th May 2006; ref GHO/00018 In an effort to have your response seen by all signatories we will publish it on our website. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle is deeply concerned with the impacts greenhouse gases (mainly CO2) will have on the future vitality of the planet. As such we find that your suggestions of “actions” and “initiatives” an inadequate response in light of the fact that your government has approved many new coal ”projects” and is considering yet another coal-fired power station (near Ulan). Just one of these coal “projects” (Wilpinjong) will produce enough coal, annually, to emit 10 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere when combusted. This is equal to emissions of about 1 million households every year. The “life” of Wilpinjong is anticipated to be 25 years. Another, Anvill Hill, has reserves of about 157 million tonnes of coal. The ports at When one adds the CO2 emitted from the diesel used in blasting and extraction (these mines function 24 hours per day, 7 days per week), and considers the longevity of these mines, 25 to 40 years, and how many more your Government is currently considering, the mind boggles at the quantity of CO2 that NSW coal mines are contributing to global warming. While most of the coal is destined for power stations in the northern hemisphere ( Increased CO2 emissions is the problem we are all responsible for. Here in Balmain and Rozelle, we are informing residents about the link between burning fossil fuels, CO2 emissions and global warming. Most residents, especially parents, are easily able to understand the links and embrace energy efficient practices in their homes. The main practice is of course choosing a clean, renewable fuel source from their energy providers. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle believes that, for the future of the planet, we need to reject fossil fuels as an energy source. Paradoxically, your government obviously supports a flourishing fossil fuel industry. Your “initiatives”, implementation of the default 10 per cent Green Power policy, extension of the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme to 2020 and establishment of an Energy Savings Fund are hardly going to significantly address any of the impacts that the NSW coal industry is having on the global climate. While the human and environmental costs of the coal industry are beginning to mount and be seen by ordinary residents and businesses, your government continues to reap hundreds of millions of dollars a year without any practical commitment to a clean, renewable energy industry. We look forward to hearing some useful and realistic actions that your government will take to assist households in their uptake of clean renewable energy options. Yours faithfully, Sue Lewis On behalf of Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle Inc. Letter Trail 2 Ian Macdonald’s response to CCBR fundraising curry night…. 11th May 2006 Dear Sir, We are a group of parents and residents from Balmain/Rozelle/Lilyfield who are fed up with and increasingly fearful of our governments’ attitude towards climate change. On May 6 we got together for dinner (all 72 of us), to discuss and debate Australia’s alarming CO2 emissions and New South Wales’ unfettered development of the coal industry. We talked about how the planet will heat up by as much as 6 degrees in the next few generations, and how our children face an uncertain future. We raged over the terrible consequences of global warming, and the cascade of environmental, social and economic problems which will be unleashed. We asked ourselves why our governments seem not to care. And we concluded that we have lost faith in state and federal powers to act responsibly on this issue. As a group we are taking steps to reduce our own emissions in our own backyard. And if we can do it, why can’t our governments relinquish their predilection for fossil fuels and commit to clean, renewable energy sources? We are proof that the tide is rising in more ways than one, as time – and the next election – may well tell. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle Ian Macdonald’s Response to that…
2 June 2006
Dear Members of Climate Change
Thankyou for your letter of 11 May 2006 to Hon Ian McDonald MLC, NSW Minister for Natural Resources, Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Mineral Resources concerning climate change and the Governments approach to mining. The minister has asked me to respond to you on his behalf.
NSW supplies coal for both domestic power generation and steel production. In addition, NSW is an exporter of coal to world markets.
Given the substantial investment in coal-fired power generation and the limited potential in the short to medium term for renewable energy sources to meet the required demand for power generation, there is unlikely to be a reduction in the amount of electricity produced from coal in the forseeable future. However, the Government and industry are actively working together on clean coal technologies to help curb greenhouse emissions including technologies for the capture and sequestration of CO2 into safe geological storage sites.
The Government has taken other steps to reduce emissions. The NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme commenced on 1 January 2003 and was one of the first mandatory greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes in the world. The scheme aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and use of electricity. Forests NSW trades carbon credits under thr scheme by planting forests to sequestrate carbon dioxide. Some 166,005 certificates, each equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide, were issued during 2004. This represents approximately 10,000 hectares of planted hardwood forests.
Yours sincerely
Lindsay Gilligan A/Deputy Director-General Mineral Resources
And our response to that….
22nd June 2006 The Hon. Ian Macdonald Minister for Natural Resources, Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Mineral Resources Level 33 Dear Sir, RE: your reply to our email of 11th May 2006; MP 106/2711 MF 06/1826 In an effort to have your response seen by all signatories we will publish it on our website. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle is deeply concerned with the impacts greenhouse gases (mainly CO2) will have on the future vitality of the planet. As such we find that your commitment to maintaining the current coal-fired electricity industry and, ipso facto, the burgeoning coal mining industry, a most irresponsible position. When one adds the potential CO2 emitted from NSW’s 51 coal mines to the CO2 emitted from the diesel used in blasting and extraction (these mines function 24 hours per day, 7 days per week), and considers the longevity of these mines, 25 to 40 years, and how many more your Government is currently considering, the mind boggles at the quantity of CO2 that NSW coal mines alone will contribute to the environmental catastrophe of global warming. While most of the coal is destined for power stations in the northern hemisphere, it would be churlish of us to ignore the impacts those CO2 emissions will have. Our atmosphere is global after all. The litany of “steps to reduce emissions” ring hollow in the face of your support for the flourishing fossil fuel industry. Carbon credit trading (“certificates worth 166,005 tonnes of CO2 in 2004”) is hardly going to significantly address any of the impacts that the 120 million tonnes of coal (that’s 360 million tonnes of CO2 when fully combusted) exported through the ports of The “substantial investment” in coal-fired power generation does not translate to increased employment. A contribution of just ten cents per tonne of coal exported would yield about $8 million a year to help finance the transition away from coal to sustainable industries and jobs. BHP Billiton, Xstrata, Rio Tinto and Anglo-American have commitment to profit-making outside of The investment in technologies to capture and store CO2 underground (which will never meet the volumes of emissions) would be better spent on geothermal technology, solar and wind. All potentially more viable renewable energy sources given committed investment. Most residents, especially parents, are easily able to understand the links and embrace energy efficient practices in their homes. The main practice is of course choosing a clean, renewable fuel source from their energy providers. Here in Balmain and Rozelle, we are informing residents about the link between burning fossil fuels, CO2 emissions and global warming. It is truly alarming to Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle that you are treating the problem of greenhouse gas emissions and the consequences of global warming with such minimal measures while allowing enormous profits from coal to leave Yours faithfully, Sue Lewis On behalf of Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle Inc. Rozelle 2039 c.c. Lindsay Gilligan, A/Deputy Director-General, Mineral Resources
Letter Trail 3 Frank Sartor’s response to CCBR fundraising curry night…. 11th May 2006 Dear Sir, We are a group of parents and residents from Balmain/Rozelle/Lilyfield who are fed up with and increasingly fearful of our governments’ attitude towards climate change. On May 6 we got together for dinner (all 72 of us), to discuss and debate Australia’s alarming CO2 emissions and New South Wales’ unfettered development of the coal industry. We talked about how the planet will heat up by as much as 6 degrees in the next few generations, and how our children face an uncertain future. We raged over the terrible consequences of global warming, and the cascade of environmental, social and economic problems which will be unleashed. We asked ourselves why our governments seem not to care. And we concluded that we have lost faith in state and federal powers to act responsibly on this issue. As a group we are taking steps to reduce our own emissions in our own backyard. And if we can do it, why can’t our governments relinquish their predilection for fossil fuels and commit to clean, renewable energy sources? We are proof that the tide is rising in more ways than one, as time – and the next election – may well tell. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle Frank Sartor’s response ………
Alex Peters Climate Change Balmain Rozelle PO Box 890 Rozelle NSW 2039
13 June 2006
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