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follow the link here to our Newsletter archive. All of our previous newsletters: 2006 / 2007 and newsflashes 2006 - present, can be found on the Climate Change Balmain Rozelle news blog. |
This is an example of the Newsletters that we put out.....for more recent Newsflashes go to http://ccbr-news.blogspot.com/ Supporters Newsletter # 8 - February 2007 Dear supporters, welcome to our first newsletter for 2007. There are only 7 weeks to go before our state election (March 24) and the topic of Climate Change is buzzing in everyone's ears. The subject continues to dominate headlines again with last week's release of the UN's IPCC report in Paris. This election is one of our 2 chances this year to really let those politicians know that we care about the future of this planet. At last the message seems to be filtering through that it's time to stop burning coal for electricity and it is beginning to hit home that the only way to move forward for the world's future, is to kick the coal habit. This country has a great track record for innovation and enthusiasm for the 'new', with good leadership we could hold our heads high within a global community, looking towards a future powered by clean renewable energy. Or alternatively we could head towards a certain pariah status, being remembered as the country that continued to make a buck exporting fuel for 19th century technologies instead of moving to embrace a clean energy future!!! What will we have to tell our children in 20 years? What will we have lost to tell our children's children about in 40!? The future is in our hands. The time to act is now - Firstly, look into swapping to green energy from your own energy provider - all it takes is one phone call - our experience is, for around 10kWh per day it costs around $3 extra a week for 100% solar energy. (a small price to pay for peace of mind and it's sending a clear unequivocal message to our leaders). Check out http://www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au for comparisons on providers. Secondly pass this newsletter on to a friend in the area - yes do it - urge them to sign on for the monthly newsletter, the more people signed up to receive our newsletter the more notice those politicians will be taking on these issues - we need to let them know that it's not just the 'greenies' and environment groups that are worried! It's all of us, regardless of our political leanings. There is always more, but for starters, if everyone did those 2 things alone we will have achieved something valuable. For more ideas go to our website www.climatechangebr.org. For other Climate Action Groups (CAGs) in Sydney and Australia wide see www.climatemovement.org.au Contents 1. What's news… 2. What's coming up… 3. What you can do… 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter…
1. What's News… • CCBR meets the politicians On Nov 30 - 2006, some members of Climate Change Balmain Rozelle met with the candidates of the 3 major parties in O'Connor Reserve, Rozelle:
The candidates were presented with the "CCBR Position Statement". This document outlines CCBR's stance on the major issues of Coal, Nuclear Energy, Renewables, Demand Management and Mandatory Targets. (See www.climatechangebr.org/page13.htm for a copy). Excerpts from the meeting have been posted on the website for your interest. www.climatechangebr.org We encourage all CCBR supporters to find out from these politicians, where they stand on these issues and let them know what your concerns are. Send an email, give them a call - leave a message. We have also compiled some questions that we would like to pose to all candidates so that we can deliver a "Report Card" on their responses in the next newsletter. This way you will be able to compare directly on key issues. Feedback and suggestions from you as to the questions we should be asking would be great (questions that require yes/no responses are best) write to ccbrmail@aapt.net.au
Q.1: Do you support legislated greenhouse emissions reduction targets of 40% by 2020 for NSW? Y/N Q.2: Do you support legislated renewable energy targets for NSW? Y/N Q.3: Do you support legislated targets to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy demand in NSW? Y/N Q.4: Would you support an independent inquiry into the cumulative impacts of the NSW coal industry, and the options available to NSW for alternative industries to coal? Y/N Q.5: Would you support a moratorium on approval or construction of new coal-fired power stations in NSW, pending the results of the aforementioned independent inquiry? Y/N Q.6: Would you support a moratorium on all coal mines, including at Anvil Hill, Moolarben and Bickham, pending the results of the independent inquiry? Y/N Q.7: Do you believe that Carbon Capture and Storage of coal emissions can make a significant contribution to the deep, swift reductions in greenhouse pollution that are required to avoid dangerous climate change? Y/N Q.8: Do you believe that public investment in CCS should be continued or do you think NSW Government resources should be directed towards demand reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy development? Yes, maintain public investment in CCS / No, shift investment to renewables and energy efficiency. • United Nations - IPCC tables report in Paris "The world has been delivered it's strongest warning yet that human actions are causing global warming and that greenhouse gas emissions must be reined in by 2020 if humanity wants a chance to avoid catastrophic climate change" SMH Feb 3-4, 2007. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released it's 1200p report the work of 2500 scientists over 6 years. For a 21 page summary go to http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf
• Tim Flannery is 'Australian of the Year' On the Eve of Jan 26, 2007 it was announced that Tim Flannery was awarded Australian of the year. Described by Sir David Attenborough as being in the league of all-time great explorers such as David Livingstone - this award adds weight and power to his ability to reach many. The Weather Makers certainly had an impact on the formation of this group. Congratulations Tim Flannery from CCBR. For more see www.australianoftheyear.gov.au
• Peter Garrett goes head to head with Malcolm Turnbull 'The Green War Has Begun' SMH 27 Jan 07. Pete Garrett has called for action on Climate Change after a decade of inaction Mr Turnbull described Mr Garrett's attack as ill-informed and simplistic. This debate is only going to go the way of our planet - hotter! See www.petergarrett.com.au and for Malcolm Turnbull see www.environment.gov.au/minister/env
• Iemma approves power line upgrade As appears on NSW Dept
Planning website, Sartor has approved a new 330kV power line that is
the first stage to establish a new coal-fired power station at Ulan
in Central West NSW. *For the latest on the proposed Anvil hill mine go to: www.anvilhill.org.au
• CCBR Kilowatt Challenge At last count we were up to 100 participants in the Challenge - it's not too late to join up if you have your bills from late last year! How much can you reduce your usage?? With great prizes to be won contact Alison at kc@climatechangebr.org or check out the challenge at www.climatechangebr.org/page11.htm. What would you answer if someone asked you how many kilowatts your household uses a day? 2. What's coming up………. • Protest Flotilla at Newcastle Harbour - Feb 10 The climate action group Rising Tide based in Newcastle is organising another day of action. "The People's Occupation of the World's Biggest Coal Port" At 1pm, February 10th, Newcastle Harbour will see a peaceful vigil and press conference at Horseshoe Beach, accompanying a colourful floating community demonstration against NSW coal expansion. For more info http://www.risingtide.org.au/flotilla - go to 'events'. Come along, CCBR will be there, to organise transport ring Jenny on 0405 031 781
• Climate Action Day Bondi - Feb 10 For something a little closer to home the climate action group CAB based in Bondi have organised a day packed full of activities for Feb 10. Check it out at www.climateactionbondi.com • Banner over Victoria Road CCBR have had a large banner made "COAL = CLIMATE CHANGE CHAOS". We would like to display it over Victoria Road to catch the attention of peak hour traffic to raise the profile of Climate Change in the weeks leading up to the election. This is not an illegal activity if the banner is physically held. Would anyone like to spend an hour doing this? Please call Jenny on 0405 031 781 or contact us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au • CCBR's 'cut the power and kick up your heels' Fundraiser We're planning a great night out with some fabulous live entertainment, a speaker or two and a little fundraising. So mark it in your diary and be prepared for a fun evening. When: Sat 31st March; Where: Writers Centre, Callan Park; Price: TBA
• 'Getup' e-initiative This is a great way to let your local candidates know how many people in their constituency put a high priority on dealing with climate change. The Getup campaign has now been running for over 3 months and if you haven't already, we urge you to add your signature to the growing number of people who have (presently 72,656 - target 250,000). www.GetUp.org.au Sign-on to the Climate Action Map if you agree with - "I want my government to take sweeping action to dramatically cut greenhouse pollution, shift to clean energy and solve the climate crisis now". And….tell a friend.
• Street Stalls We're hitting the streets once more. At the stalls we:
Dates and places: Feb 17 - outside Rozelle Markets Feb 24 - outside Orange Grove Markets March - To Be Advised And you may even see us on the odd afternoon in Balmain!!
3. What you can do……… The most direct way to ensure you make a difference is to eliminate your personal and household emissions. With a small effort, you can achieve a drastic reduction in your CO2 emissions - without a big reduction in your quality of life. A great site to visit on what you can do on the home front is the Australian Conservation Foundation's "greenhome" site - www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome or check out our website - www.climatechangebr.org
Switch to Green Power. For only a couple of dollars more a month, you can make sure that your electricity comes from renewable energy sources and is climate friendly. Green Power is government accredited clean, renewable electricity from the sun, the wind, water and waste. Only accredited Green Power guarantees that you support investments in new renewable energy capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ACF has helpfully produced a clear guide to the best suppliers of green energy, Green Electricity Watch. This makes the choice very simple for you. Head to http://www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au
4. Be Heard - Write a Letter …
This week I attempted my first "Letter to the Editor". We've included it in this month's newsletter to encourage you all to pick up a pen and give it a go. Let the media know what you think is important!
************************************************************************ To the editor, Re "The issue that may swing some city seats….." Anne Davies 29/01/07 It is great to see a political writer with an ear to the ground and a realistic view reflecting what's happening out here. Anne Davies has provided a clear roundup of a very big year for the coal industry. This industry is standing at the brink of a massive expansion. An expansion, that, will launch Australia into a certain future of pariah status within the world community. Twelve months ago it was largely only 'green groups' that were making the connection between coal - electricity - and global warming. Things have changed, now the politicians are tuning into the fact that people from all walks of life are demanding that the government act responsibly in dealing with Climate Change. Export coal and coal fired power stations are central to this. It is no longer the environmentalists that are demanding change, there is now a growing level of informed concern from a much wider demographic - from 'soccer mums' to GPs, from celebrities to farmers this issue affects us all. As a warning to the politicians, these people will not be fooled by jigging numbers on capping targets and the promise of dubious abatement schemes that pale in significance when compared to the millions of tonnes of CO2 that will flow annually from the coal taken from new proposed mines. The only way to move through this critical phase for the world's future is to kick the coal habit, take a leadership role on the world stage and guide us towards a future powered by clean renewable energy. When all is said and done and our children in 20 years ask us to stand and be counted we will not be able to plead ignorance of our role played in the warming of the planet. The issue of Climate Change is now clearly a matter of conscience - unlike other issues in recent times, this is a universal moral issue that can galvanize the masses.
Jenny Curtis (Address) Sent to letters@smh.com.au (Sydney Morning Herald) There's also The Village Voice The Innerwest Courier The Glebe ************************************************************************ Please note: you cannot cut and paste from this PDF document. This letter appears as a separate att. to this newsletter. And……… "You can fool some of the people all of the time… …and you can fool all of the people some of the time… But you only need to fool the majority of the people for one day every few years… …and you've got a democracy." Michael Leunig - 2007 Calendar (March).
And Lastly……… If you like what we're doing and have friends who you think would be interested in this newsletter please feel free to forward it on. It would be great to top the 500 mark in the new year. Or…..if you have any feedback or ideas contact us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au Or…. if you would like to unsubscribe please let us know at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au
Supporters Newsletter # 7 - December 2006
Dear supporters, Welcome to our December 2006 newsletter, and yet another amazing month on the road to a clean energy future. Over the past 5 weeks there have been many encouraging changes on many levels that indicate that we are gaining momentum.
This will be our last newsletter for 2006 and we'd all like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and joyful festive season. Hopefully we'll see you at Elkington Park on Sunday. In 2007 we are planning to get some sub-committees up and running, upgrade the website, bring you html. Newsletters, and continue on with our "Solar for Schools" project. As well as doing all that we plan at a local level continue to continue to expose, inform and enable. The Kilowatt Challenge is still attracting more households, so get on board !
For the first time this month we are appealing to the membership to dip into their pockets and help us meet the running costs of this fast growing grass roots organisation. Donations would go towards postage for sending letters to politicians, printing stickers and T-Shirts, press-packs etc. If you like what we are doing please help us out with these costs by donating at Bendigo Bank Balmain/Rozelle a/c # 633000 127362408
Contents 1. What's news… 2. What's coming up… 3. What you can do… 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter…
1. What's News…
• Kilowatt Challenge - It's time to cut those kilowatts
We've built a new page on our website with some astounding facts about greenhouses gases to help us all cut back on our green gas emissions. For instance, did you know that the average Australian household emits 9 tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2) per year? (Mostly through electricity and gas, garbage, and use of cars.) And human activities worldwide are pouring 45 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere per year! http://www.climatechangebr.org/page4.htm
It's high time we started looking at the greenhouse gas emissions of our actions. For instance:
Here are the first in some simple measures you can take, that will each cut your household emissions by over half a tonne per year!
1. Heat and cool your home less Turn the heating down in winter and the cooling up in summer - each degree change in the right direction can save 10% of your energy use! Heat or cool only one room or area that you are using, or not at all (put on a jumper or open the window to the breeze)! Heating and cooling produces about 3 tonnes of greenhouse pollution per year per household. So a 10% saving is 300kg saved. If you do both these actions that is at least 600kg of GHG saved.
2. Eat less meat Animal products make up the biggest part of your eco footprint - 34% to be exact. Meat, particularly beef, has a very high environmental impact, using much water and land to produce it, and creating significant greenhouse pollution. In fact if you reduce your intake by two 150g serves of red meat each week, you'll save 20,000 litres of water and 600kg of greenhouse pollution in a year.
3. Cycle, walk or take public transport rather than drive your car Cycling 10km to work and back twice a week, or catching public transport, instead of driving saves about 500kg of greenhouse pollution each year through petrol savings, and saves you about $770.
4. Turn off standby power Standby power is around 10% of our electricity in the average house per year. If you turn all your appliances off at the wall you could reduce your home's greenhouse emissions by up to 700kg per year.
Head to our website for more For info on how to join the challenge got to http://www.climatechangebr.org/page11.htm For more information on energy saving, head to http://www.climatechangebr.org/page4.htm and for a more detailed guide of how to cut your emissions, go to the Australian Conservation Foundation's GreenHome website, at http://www.acfonline.org.au/default.asp?section_id=86 and click on 'Get the Guide'.
And remember By far, the most effective, immediate measure you can take to cut greenhouse emissions and make a statement to energy retailers that you take this issue seriously, is to sign up to an accredited green power option. The Australian Conservation Foundation has helpfully produced a clear guide to the best suppliers of green energy, Green Electricity Watch. This makes the choice very simple for you. Head to http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=1020
• CCBR meets the politicians Last Thursday Nov. 30. Some members of Climate Change Balmain Rozelle met with the candidates of the 3 major parties in O'Connor Reserve:
They were presented with the CCBR Position Statement. This document outlines CCBR's stance on the major issues of Coal, Nuclear Energy, Renewables, Demand Management and Mandatory Targets. We encourage all CCBR supporters to find out from these politicians, where they stand on these issues We feel we have given them ample time, 3 months from the election, to be clear on how they plan to handle these key components in the climate change debate. To see the Position Statement go to the Website - www.climatechangebr.org
• Peter Gray's win This historical decision from the NSW Land and Environment Court was handed down on November 28th. It ensures that Climate Change issues must, in future, be an integral part of the approvals process related to coal production. It ruled that the Environmental Impact Assessment, prepared by Centennial Hunter Pty Ltd in relation to their proposed Anvil Hill coalmine in the Upper Hunter, was flawed and invalid for failing to assess the environmental impact by greenhouse Emissions. *To find out more, go to: www.anvilhill.org.au *For the latest on Moolarben mine go to: www.savethedrip.com - it is the next new coalmine Development Application. in the central west - write a letter to stop this mine from going ahead see below, 4.Write a Letter *For more information on how Newcastle is tackling the climate crisis at the 'coal face', go to www.risingtide.org.au
• Walk Against Warming On Nov 4th 2006, 40,000 people gathered in Sydney to urge the government to address the issue of Climate Change. It was a great success nationally and internationally. For more info see www.walkagainstwarming.org
• Morris Iemma - Glebe Reception Nov 20. At the Glebe Balmain Community Reception held in Glebe on the 20th November we took the opportunity to give the premier this letter in person and let him know that people in our local community are alarmed and outraged at the expansion of the coal industry that is being allowed to flourish under his governance:- ____________________________________________________ 20th Nov 2006 Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle is a non-political community group determined to inform our friends, neighbours and community about global warming, expose the link between global warming and combustion of fossil fuels and enable householders and local businesses to take steps to reduce their power consumption, switch to clean renewable energy options and express their concern at this state's burgeoning coal industry. We have a website, meet the community at stalls at weekend markets, are running a competition to encourage householders to reduce power in their homes (The Kilowatt Challenge) and have held a dinner to raise community awareness. We also have a long-running project to put solar panels on all public schools on the Balmain Peninsular. Our vision is to make a difference locally to what is the most serious of problems globally. We call on the NSW Labor Government to: 1.Ratify the Kyoto Protocol. - enabling NSW to access the global carbon trading market. 2. Oppose the development of any new coal mines and coal-fired power stations. - In the last 2 years alone the NSW Dept. of Planning has approved 15 new coal projects, another 10 are awaiting approval, considerably magnifying NSW's contribution to global warming. - The royalties that the NSW government receives from the coal industry is less than 1% of coal's cost to the environment (using Stern costing of $110 worth of damage per tonne of coal). 3. Legislate to increase the MRET from 10% by 2010 to be in line with other developed countries - The International Climate Change Taskforce recommends cuts to carbon pollution by 60% (of 1990 levels) to keep global warming below 2°C. - EU - 21% by 2010, Germany - 12% by 2010, Sweden - 60% by 2010, Austria - 78% by 2010. 4.Create financial incentives for households and businesses to convert to carbon -free power sources. - Australia has an abundance of renewable energy choices. One solar hot water system on every home would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. - Establish a feed-in rebate system similar to Germany where each household is paid 45 Euros per kWh fed back to the grid. ________________________________________________________________________
2. What's coming up……….
• CCBR Xmas Party If you feel like coming along with a picnic lunch and getting to know other people in the community that have signed up to CCBR then dust off that blanket, grab the basket and come on down! When: 11am - 2pm, Sunday 10th December Where: Elkington Park, Balmain Next year we're planning to expand our activities, so bring your ideas, we'd love to hear them. With or without ideas, it's time to get everyone together, hope to see you there!!
Or alternatively.. The NCC (the same bunch
who organised the Walk Against Warming) are organising a Christmas
Climate Action this
Sunday outside John Howard's residence in Kirribilli. For more details go to: www.climatemovement.org.au
• 'Getup' e-initiative The Getup campaign has now been running for over 2 months and if you haven't already, we urge you to, add your signature to the growing number of people who have. (presently 70,000 - target 250,000) www.GetUp.org.au You can sign-on to the Climate Action Map if you agree with - "I want my government to take sweeping action to dramatically cut greenhouse pollution, shift to clean energy and solve the climate crisis now".
• Street Stalls We'll be cranking up the stalls again in the new year. The response from people on the street over the last month has been very positive. At the stalls we: • discuss
options for individual action • distribute bumper stickers: "Climate Change the election issue" Dates and places: to be advised
3. What you can do……… The most direct way to ensure you make a difference is to eliminate your personal and household emissions. With a small effort, you can achieve a drastic reduction in your CO2 emissions - without a big reduction in your quality of life, and knowing you're playing your part towards maintaining our tremendous way of life in the future by preventing climate change! A great site to visit on what you can do on the home front is the Australian Conservation Foundation's "greenhome" site - www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome or check out our website - www.climatechangebr.org
Switch to Green Power. For only a couple of dollars more a month, you can make sure that your electricity comes from renewable energy sources and is climate friendly. Green Power is government accredited clean, renewable electricity from the sun, the wind, water and waste. Only accredited Green Power guarantees that you support investments in new renewable energy capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ACF has helpfully produced a clear guide to the best suppliers of green energy, Green Electricity Watch. This makes the choice very simple for you. Head to http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=1020
4. Be Heard - Write a Letter …
Letter for the month to Morris Iemma - Premier of NSW and Frank Sartor, Minister for Planning
**********************************************************************************
Mr Morris Iemma Premier of NSW Parliament House Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000
Dear sir,
Moolarben Coal Project No. 05_0117
I am writing to express my concern about the planned new Moolarben coal mine near Mudgee in central NSW. I am requesting for the Moolarben Environment Assessment Report to reflect the true impact of this mine on the planet, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and their contribution to global warming.
The Recently released Stern Report commissioned by the British Government states: "There is overwhelming evidence that climate change is a serious and urgent issue [needing] strong and urgent global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions" SMH November 1st 2006
Coal produced in New South Wales is the single biggest cause of these emissions in Australia. We need to look long and hard at the impact this mine will have on global warming. 12million tonnes of coal produce 32 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum (and that doesn't include all the gases generated in transporting and mining the stuff!)….as Sir Nicholas Stern states: "Business as usual is not an option"
The end cost of repairing the damage that sending these emissions into our atmosphere will create, far outweighs the initial monetry gain. Planet Earth cannot afford any new coal mines or coal fired power stations.
We applaud the recent ruling by the NSW Land and Environment Court that the Environmental Assessment on the proposed Anvil Hill mine is flawed due to lack of consideration of the impact of the development upon climate change.
We are calling for the true cost of these mines to be assessed and reported. Please do not approve this coalmine
Yours truly,
Please note: you cannot cut and paste from this PDF document. This letter and the same to Frank Sartor appears as a separate att. to this newsletter.
And……… Traditional African Wisdom: "If you have ever wondered how large the impact of something very small can be, try locking yourself in a dark room with a mosquito!"
Greenpeace has created a very natty e-chrissy card that you can send - you'll find it at the end of their "12 Steps to a Greener Holiday". 'Click to play' on the smoke stacks - Check it out at: www.greenpeace.org/international/news/12-steps-to-a-greener-holiday
And Lastly……… If you like what we're doing and have friends who you think would be interested in this newsletter please feel free to forward it on. It would be great to top the 500 mark in the new year. Or…..if you have any feedback or ideas contact us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au Or…. if you would like to unsubscribe please let us know at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au
Supporters Newsletter # 5 - October 2006 Dear supporters, Welcome to our October 2006 newsletter, and a special welcome to our 50 or so new members. The climate change movement is gaining momentum and with state elections around the corner the politicians are all tuning into the most pressing issues in their electorate. We would like to take this opportunity to further reassure our supporters that Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle is not politically aligned and we defend our independence strenuously. We, like many others, believe this issue affects everybody, regardless of politics, race or religion. The message to demand clean and renewable energy can come from all of us, our earth belongs to all of us after all. If you like what we are doing please forward this email and our website address to others. www.climatechangebr.org. This is one way that collectively we can make a difference.
Contents 1. What's news… 2. What's coming up… 3. What you can do… 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter…
1. What's News…
• Leichhardt Council officially opposes Anvil Hill Coal Mine Last Tuesday Evening (Sept. 26, 2006) Leichhardt Council moved a motion to oppose the proposed Anvil Hill mine. This mine is the first of over 20 new mines proposed and will massively increase the amount of coal to be exported from our shores (to be converted into tonnes of CO2 in power production elsewhere!!) This motion was initiated by Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle. Waverley, Sydney City and Marrickville Councils also oppose the mines. (For more information on Anvil Hill - www.anvilhill.org.au ) (For more information on the next new coalmine D.A. in the central west - www.savethedrip.com)
• "Get Up" gets onto Climate Change www.GetUp.org.au has launched a campaign to make climate change an issue in your own MPs back yard. You can sign on to the Climate Action Map if you agree with - "I want my government to take sweeping action to dramatically cut greenhouse pollution, shift to clean energy and solve the climate crisis now". Their target is 250,000 names (with postcodes). Get Up managed 75,000 e-signatures on the ABC funding campaign and have had dazzling success on other campaigns, checkout the website for more info.
• Letters opposing Anvil Hill mine As a direct result of the street stalls we have been holding over the past month, supporters have written 50 letters opposing Anvil Hill Mine and the new Newcastle Coal loader…..and these are just the ones we know about.
• Court Challenge to include Climate Implications in Environmental Assessments Another interesting development in the Anvil Hill story is a court challenge mounted on Sept. 19 2006 by a Newcastle Environmentalist, Peter Gray. He is tackling head on the lack of provision within the existing EA (Environmental Assessment) to address the greenhouse implications of the proposed development. This is a ground breaking move and an appeal has been sent out for financial assistance. If anyone is interested in supporting this challenge, find out more at www.risingtide.org.au
"As with any court proceedings, we are not assured of our success or possible costs, and any funds pledged would be refunded if not spent, and refunded if our case is successful." Peter Gray 26/9/06
2. What's coming up……….
• Roll up! Roll up! The Kilowatt Challenge is here!
Check out the other attachment with this newsletter and see how you can:
There are fantastic prizes to be won 1st a solarhart hot water system, fully installed, valued at $4500 2nd 3 nights accommodation in the magical Goulburn River Stone Cottages 3rd a nylex water tank valued at $495
We're signing up households like yours to pledge to cut electricity usage by 20-50% - and we'll show you how, comfortably. There are NO costs involved, just your commitment. The competition will run over two quarterly billing periods (6 months in total) and winners will be announced when all participating households have received their last bill.
Want to help? Would you deliver the kilowatt challenge flyers into letterboxes in your street? We'd love to hear from anyone who is interested in helping. Please email alisonp@datacodsl.com.
• Walk Against Warming Rally Event: International Day of Action on Climate Change When: Saturday - Nov 4, 2006 Where: Sydney, 11am Martin Place. Help build on the success of the 2005 Walk Against Warming and make 2006 even bigger and better. Organised by The Nature Conservation Council, this is shaping up to be a very big event. For more info see www.walkagainstwarming.org
• Street Stalls We're still hitting the streets to raise awareness and help people make a difference. • discussing
options for individual action
Street Stall dates and places as follows: Oct 7 Outside Balmain Markets. Oct 14 Outside Orange Grove Markets. Oct 21 Outside Rozelle Markets. Oct 28 Outside Orange Grove Markets.
We normally set up around 10 and run the stall for a couple of hours. Come along and have a chat, we'd love to see you!
3. What you can do……… The most direct way to ensure you make a difference is to eliminate your personal and household emissions. With a small effort, you can achieve a drastic reduction in your CO2 emissions - without a big reduction in your quality of life, and knowing you're playing your part towards maintaining our tremendous way of life in the future by preventing climate change! A great site to visit on how you what you can do on the home front is the Australian Conservation Foundation's "greenhome" site - www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome or check out our website - www.climatechangebr.org Switch to Green
Power 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter… If you only have time to do one thing this month we implore you to copy one or both of these letters and send them in to reject the approval of these proposals. Submissions close this week but opposition letters are still relevant and noted by the politicians. ___________________________________________________________________________________ <date> Major Development
Assessments This is a submission against the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's proposed new Coal Export Terminal at Newcastle (06_0009), and Centennial Hunter's proposed Anvil Hill coal mine (06_0014). The CET and Anvil Hill mine must not be approved. These co-dependent projects would massively increase Hunter coal exports, and accelerate dangerous climate change, which the Premier has called NSW's greatest threat. Approving Anvil Hill mine would be the greenhouse equivalent of doubling the number of cars on NSW roads. Approving the new Coal Export Terminal would be the equivalent of doubling NSW's coal consumption. They would also have unacceptable localised impacts, such as destruction of habitat for over 30 threatened species of flora and fauna. Sincerely, <name> <address> _________________________________________________________________________ <date>
Critical Infrastructure
and Special Projects
This is a submission against the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's proposed new Coal Export Terminal at Newcastle (06_0009), and Centennial Hunter's proposed Anvil Hill coal mine (06_0014).
The CET and Anvil Hill mine must not be approved.
These co-dependent projects would massively increase Hunter coal exports, and accelerate dangerous climate change, which the Premier has called NSW's greatest threat.
Approving Anvil Hill mine would be the greenhouse equivalent of doubling the number of cars on NSW roads. Approving the new Coal Export Terminal would be the equivalent of doubling NSW's coal consumption.
They would also have unacceptable localised impacts, such as destruction of habitat for over 30 threatened species of flora and fauna.
Sincerely, <name> <address> ___________________________________________________________________________________ And……… From the Sydney Morning Herald p2 - Oct. 2, 2006 - Peter Hartcher, Political Editor.
Canberra, take note: climate change is what terrifies us THIS year's Lowy Institute poll reveals Australian concern over global warming to be the big 'sleeper' issue of national affairs……….The political party that can best respond will harness a powerful force………..Allen Gyngell observes, 'this has become mainstream; it's no longer just an issue for Greens and people dressed up in koala suits'………This is new information in the evolving Australian grasp of the issue. It puts public opinion ahead of Howard government policy, which has only just conceded that the phenomenon is real and has yet to admit that the solution may involve cost.
And……… "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on him not understanding it" Upton Sinclair. Quoted in 'An Inconvenient Truth', now showing in cinemas everywhere.
And Lastly……… If you like what we're doing and have friends who you think would be interested in this newsletter please feel free to forward it on. Or…..if you have any feedback or ideas contact us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au Or…. if you would like to unsubscribe please let us know at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au
________________________________________ Supporters Newsletter # 4 - September 2006
Dear supporters, Welcome to our September 2006 newsletter, the past few months has seen an extraordinary growth in the level of awareness about Climate Change. Groups similar to ours are springing up all over the place, the media is full of it and our communities are starting to come to grips with what it all means. We are receiving very heartening emails from supporters, people who in some way are trying to make a difference, whether it be switching to clean energy, installing solar panels or switching light bulbs. To have a real impact we need to reach those people who would not normally consider making these changes, our numbers are now over the 300 mark and it's very exciting to know that we are part of a community that is trying to halt the escalation of Climate Change. So tell your friends and keep up the good work!
Contents 1. What's news….. 2. What's coming up….. 3. What you can do….. 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter……
1. What's News……….
• Solar Panels for
Birchgrove Public School
• Proposed Anvil Hill Coal Mine and New Coal Export Terminal! The best thing to do is to act….for a proforma letter refer to "4. Be Heard - Write a Letter.." at the end of this newsletter.
The NSW Government is about to make a decision on the proposed Anvil Hill open-cut coal mine and a proposed third Coal Export Terminal at Newcastle.
The proposed open-cut coal mine at Anvil Hill would:
Newcastle is already the biggest coal port in the world, and therefore a major contributor to global climate change. Newcastle needs to start phasing out coal exports fast, but instead there is a proposal to build a large new Coal Export Terminal. The proposed Coal Export Terminal at Newcastle would:
( This information has been provided by www.anvilhill.org.au)
2. What's coming up……….
• Roll up! Roll up! The Kilowatt Challenge is coming to your home!
We are about to launch an exciting new addition to our range of activities: a cool competition that will help us all:
Watch out in the local papers and magazines for upcoming articles about The Kilowatt Challenge and check your letterboxes in the coming weeks for our sign-up flyer about the Challenge and the great prizes on offer - including a water tank and a weekend away!
We're signing up households like yours to pledge to cut electricity usage by 20-50% - and we'll show you how, comfortably. The competition will run over two quarterly billing periods (6 months in total) and winners will be announced when all participating households have received their last bill.
We've secured some exclusive deals for participants and we are aiming for a fun and rewarding experience for all. Note that there are NO costs involved, just your commitment.
Want to help? We'd love to hear from anyone who is interested in helping us deliver the flyers. Please email alisonp@datacodsl.com.
• Street Stalls We're hitting the streets once more to raise awareness and help people make a difference. • discussing options for individual action Dates and Places as follows: Sept 2 Outside Woolworths, Balmain. Sept 9 Outside Orange Grove Markets. Sept 16 Outside Rozelle Markets. Sept 30 TBA
Come along and have a chat, we'd love to see you! • David Suzuki's talk ………….. Event: "The Challenge of the 21st Century, Putting the World Back Together" Where: Enmore Theatre, Newtown When: Monday Sept. 4. 6pm - show starts 7pm - David Suzuki 8.10pm Tickets will be on sale through Ticketek Agencies.
• Community screening of "An Inconvenient Truth" Where: Palace Cinema, Norton St. Leichhardt When: 6:30pm, Tuesday September 5 Cost: $12.00
• Renewable Energy for NSW - Public Forum This event has been organized by the NCC and Greenpeace Tue 12th Sept, 7pm
• Walk Against Warming Rally Event: International Day of Action on Climate Change When: Saturday - Nov 4, 2006 Where: Sydney: 11am Martin Place. Help build on the success of the 2005 Walk Against Warming and make 2006 even bigger and better.
3. What you can do……… The most direct way to ensure you make a difference is to eliminate your personal and household emissions. With a small effort, you can achieve a drastic reduction in your CO2 emissions - without a big reduction in your quality of life, and knowing you're playing your part towards maintaining our tremendous way of life in the future by preventing climate change! Switch to Green Power For other ways to curb your CO2 emissions, check out the website - www.climatechangebr.org 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter… If you only have time to do one thing this month we emplore you to copy one or both of these letters and send them in to reject the approval of these proposals. ___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
<date>
Critical Infrastructure and Special Projects
This is a submission against the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's proposed new Coal Export Terminal at Newcastle (06_0009), and Centennial Hunter's proposed Anvil Hill coal mine (06_0014).
The CET and Anvil Hill mine must not be approved.
These co-dependent projects would massively increase Hunter coal exports, and accelerate dangerous climate change, which the Premier has called NSW's greatest threat.
Approving Anvil Hill mine would be the greenhouse equivalent of doubling the number of cars on NSW roads. Approving the new Coal Export Terminal would be the equivalent of doubling NSW's coal consumption.
They would also have unacceptable localised impacts, such as destruction of habitat for over 30 threatened species of flora and fauna.
Sincerely, <name> <address> ___________________________________________________________________________________
And Lastly………
An excerpt from an article by Tim Flannery in the "Good Weekend" SMH. August 5, 2006. "Many people who are aware of the urgency of climate change seem paralysed with hopelessness at the scale of the task ahead. But we are not the first people to be faced with such a seemingly intractable dilemma. Three centuries ago a few individuals,…,decided that slavery was profoundly immoral because it degraded the lives of some to make others rich. Their world was one where entire colonies existed only because of slaves, and where bankers, shippers and the ruling class all grew fabulously wealthy on the back of that obscene institution. Worse, most politicians would never act against slavery because it would hurt their backers, and slave owners rarely freed their slaves because of the cost. Yet by the sheer force of their argument, their leadership and persistence, the abolitionists won. We know how morally wrong it is to degrade our children's lives to enrich our own, and we know that we must win the battle for our children's future - in double quick time. The alternative is just unthinkable."
And……. If you like what we're doing and have friends who you think would be interested in this newsletter please feel free to forward it on. Or…..if you have any feedback or ideas contact us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au Or…. if you would like to unsubscribe please let us know at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au _________________________________________ Supporters Newsletter # 3 - August 2006
Dear supporters, Welcome to our August 2006 newsletter, we've had a busy month and a half since our last newsletter and the membership is growing steadily.
Contents 1. What's news….. 2. What's coming up….. 3. What you can do….. 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter……
1. What's News……….
Solar Panels for Rozelle Public School As a direct result of The Cool Change Curry Night, $40,000 worth of photovoltaic solar panels have been generously donated to CCBR (Climate Change Balmain Rozelle). The great support by our local community of this event was picked up by the Sydney Morning Herald and it was the article that was printed (20- 21 May 2006) that inspired the very generous donation of these solar panels. What a great response for an inaugural fundraiser! We have an accredited installer who has offered to lend his services to get them installed. The children at Rozelle will soon be engaged in interpretive activities that will educate them about the production of clean solar power. We plan to have panels on all schools on the peninsula and this remains one of our targets
"Letter Trails" The letters we've been writing to Morris Iemma, Ian McDonald and other politicians together with their responses can now be seen on our website. Go to www.climatechangebr.org and look up the "Letter Trails" page to check them out.
Proforma letters. As part of the campaign to make positive changes towards stopping climate change you can send a letter. We've given you a choice of different ones and different people to send them to. Exercise your right to let the people in power know what you want! Check out "4. Be Heard" of this newsletter
CCBR in the media WWF - Australia interviewed Sue Lewis from CCBR and the article is in this month's E-Magazine. www.wwf.org.au follow the path, Home > Feature Articles > Locals Shaping Our Future (Urban Renewal). We are also mentioned in the "Start a Group and Volunteer" section from the end of the article. Sign up to become a 'futuremaker' while you are there. The NCC (Nature Conservation Council) has got a new website to encourage people to start up their own local action groups. www.climatemovement.org.au - CCBR is one on the list of groups that has been formed to date.
2. What's coming up……….
Community screening of "An Inconvenient Truth" This movie encapsulates the climate change concerns we face - a must see. Join us for a night with like-minded people.
Where: Palace Cinema, Norton St. Leichhardt When: 6:30pm, Tuesday September 5 Cost: $12.00
This is a premier screening organized by 'The Glebe Society'. The film is to be released nationally later in September.
David Suzuki's talk ………….. Anvil Hill Project Watch Association Inc. (AHPWA) have secured the assistance of Dr David Suzuki in their efforts to combat the Anvil Hill Open Cut Coal Mine proposal. CCBR supports AHPWA in their campaign to prevent the approval of the proposed Anvil Hill Coal Mine in the Hunter. For more information about this mine and it's impact on global warming see www.anvilhill.org.au
Event: "The Challenge of the 21st Century, Putting the World Back Together" Where: Enmore Theatre, Newtown When: Monday Sept. 4. 6pm - show starts 7pm - David Suzuki 8.10pm Cost: $71.90 ($61.40 conc.)
Supporting artists are the African Tribal Drum Group "Karifi -The African Experience" and "Les Saxby of Yidaki Didj and Dance" Tickets will be on sale through Ticketek Agencies from Monday 31 July. Dr David Suzuki will be personally signing copies of his autobiography which will be on sale on the night. This is his last Australian Tour.
Walk Against Warming Rally Event: International Day of Action on Climate Change When: Saturday, Nov 4, 2006 Where: to be advised
Street Stalls We're hitting the streets once more to raise awareness and help
people make a difference. The CCBR "Power to the People Picnic" a fun afternoon for us to gather within our community and share ideas, stories, fun & sunshine (weather permitting). Date to be announced - some time in Spring
3. What you can do………
We would really like to harness the enthusiasm that our community has shown by offering a number of different options on how everyone can be involved.
On the lighter end of things you could:
On the more vocal front you could:
And if you feel like being actively involved in the functioning of Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle, you could express an interest in one of the specific committees:
We would love to hear from people who would like to assist us. Our hope is that by suggesting a wide variety of ways that people can become involved, that there is something for everyone and that in some way everyone can become part of the solution. Please email us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au and either specify a committee, an activity, a particular skill you may have, or a general desire to assist. 4. Be Heard - Write a Letter……
There are 21 new coal 'projects' (i.e. mines) in the planning stage in NSW currently! (http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register.asp) From one coal project alone (Anvil Hill), Centennial Coal will extract enough coal to fill 10,000 Olympic swimming pools, every year for 18 years. Another, the Moolarben coal project on the Goulburn River, is linked to the construction of a new coal-fired power station in Ulan, in the Central West. The greenhouse gas emissions from combustion of this coal will increase the global temperature for many decades to come …
In opposition to new coal projects, write to:-
The Hon. Frank SARTOR, MPLevel 34 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW
2000
The Hon. Morris Iemma Premier, Minister for State Development, and Minister for Citizenship Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 Phone (02) 9228 5239
Sample Letter: Dear Premier Iemma
For more information on
The very technologies that we need to stop dangerous climate change are being starved while the climate-changing coal industry is booming…
Every year about 80 million tonnes of climate-changing coal leave Newcastle. In the next 5 years, more massive coal mines are planned to open and more coal infrastructure will be built.
Ultimately, Newcastle's exports will increase by up to 50 million tonnes a year. This compares to Australia's total coal consumption of 67 million tonnes and NSW's consumption of 30 million tonnes. If this expansion occurs, it will accelerate the onset of dangerous climate change and see NSW actively fuelling its greatest threat.
At the same time, the renewable energy industry in NSW is on its last legs. Next year the Federal Government's mandatory renewable energy target (MRET) will expire. Unless other measures to promote investment are introduced, growth in the renewable energy industry will stall.
If the NSW government legislated a state renewable energy target of 15% by 2012, and 25% by 2020, it would spur up to $3 billion in investment in clean energy projects and 2,000 new jobs in NSW. Not only would this provide us with clean energy, but we could start exporting clean energy instead of climate-changing coal.
In opposition to lack of investment in renewable energy industries write to:-
Hon. Bob Debus
MP Minister for the Environment
Hon. Ian MACDONALD,
MLC
Hon. John Howard, Prime Minister http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm ACT 2600
Hon. Kim Beazley, Kim.Beazley.MP@aph.gov.au ACT 2600
Hon. Ian Campbell, Senator for Western Australia senator.ian.campbell@aph.gov.au
Parliament House ACT 2600 Ph: (02) 6277 7640 Fax: (02) 6273 6101 Electoral office: GPO Box B58, Perth WA 6838 Ph: (08) 94211755, (08) 9325 4227 Fax: (08) 9325 6857, (08) 9325 7906
The member for Pt Jackson will be announced in early August
And Lastly……… If you like what we're doing and have friends who you think would be interested in this newsletter please feel free to forward it on. Or…..if you have any feedback or ideas contact us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au Or…. if you would like to unsubscribe please let us know at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au _________________________________________________ Supporters Newsletter June 2006
Dear Supporters
Welcome to our June 2006 Newsletter, aptly arriving in time for World Environment Week (June 4 - 10). Since holding the very successful Cool Change Curry Night in early May, it is crystal clear to us that a significant portion of the Balmain-Rozelle (and beyond) community is grateful to have a platform to voice their deep concerns about Climate Change. We are mightily heartened and propelled to further action by the warm responses, encouragement and offerings of assistance shown to us.
Contents
1. Solar Panels for Schools
Our first local mission is to see the installation of solar panels on primary schools in our area and we have made good headway with the proceeds from the dinner. We are currently sourcing quotes from various sources and investigating suitable installations. We also have an interesting, fun solar panels fundraising program in planning stages. See the website for more details on the Solar for Schools project.
2. Get onboard with CCBR! Since the May 6th dinner, we have been meeting, dreaming, strategising, buzzing, networking, planning, learning and debating how we should progress effectively from here. We would really like to harness the enthusiasm that our community has shown by offering a number of different options on how everyone can be involved.
On the lighter end of things you could:
On the more vocal front you could:
And if you feel compelled to be actively involved in the functioning of Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle, you could express an interest in one of the specific committees:
We would love to hear from people who would like to assist us. We hope that by offering the various avenues above we can provide effective and rewarding openings for most supporters.
Please email us at newsletter@climatechangebr.org and either specify a committee, an activity, a particular skill you may have, or a general desire to assist, and we will take note.
3. Good news at the coalface! - Awaba open-cut mine abandoned
NSW coal, burnt here and also exported, is a massive contributor to the world's greenhouse gas emissions and thus a significant piece in the Climate Change puzzle.
In Australia alone it contributes to 35% of our greenhouse gas emissions (2003 Australian Greenhouse Office figures) and it is our fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Alarmingly, coal mining operations and coal-fired power plants are
set to rise. At the end of 2004 there were 99 mines producing black
coal in Australia.
Here at Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle, we don't want to see the coal industry as it is shut down. However, we do not sanction the massive planned expansion of NSW coal mining and export.
The good news on this front is that Centennial Coal (which provides 40% of the state's electricity generating requirements) has abandoned its planned expansion of the Awaba mine, near Toronto, Lake Macquarie due to persistent community opposition.
According to Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, "People power has won over the might of a massive coal mining company set to plunder the astonishing beauty of this area."
Centennial coal had planned to turn the Awaba underground mine into an open cut mine to access 19 million tones of coal (that's approximately 70.3 million tones of C02). Their plans included 'relocating' part of a river.
"This is a huge win for the community that will reverberate up the Hunter Valley," said Minister Rhiannon.
"Now is the time for Centennial Coal to do the same thing and back down on its plans for a similar coal mine at Anvil Hill near Muswellbrook." Further information can be found at https://lists.nsw.greens.org.au/mailman/listinfo/coalcommunities
4. It's World Environment Week - be seen and heard
Here are a few suggestions for making your concerns heard in a powerful way that will make a difference.
4 a). Write a letter
Anvil Hill mine - NSW Govt says, don't worry about climate change!
The NSW Government has just released the assessment requirements for the proposed massive open-cut coal mine at Anvil Hill in the NSW Hunter Valley. The full greenhouse implications of the mine, including the burning of 10.5 million tonnes of coal produced at the mine per year, will not need to be assessed by the mining company (Centennial Coal) or considered by the Government when making a decision on the project.
More info on the Anvil Hill proposal can be found at
Emails or (better yet) letters to the NSW Premier Morris Iemma and his Planning Minister Frank Sartor are needed. We need to let them know that many eyes are watching the Anvil Hill story.
A sample email/letter is below. Please adapt/copy and send separately to:
The Premier, Morris Iemma thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
Sydney, Australia 2001
FE Sartor, MP office@sartor.minister.nsw.gov.au,
_________________________ Dear Premier Iemma Dear Minister Sartor
RE: climate change impacts of Anvil Hill mine proposal must be considered
It is unacceptable that assessment of the proposed Anvil Hill mine in the NSW Hunter Valley will fail to address this mine's enormous contribution to climate change.
The 10.5 million tonnes of coal per year proposed to be mined at Anvil Hill would contribute over 25 million tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year for the life of the mine. This is more than Australia's entire annual transport emissions!
I demand that the NSW Government consider the Anvil Hill mine proposal in the context of the urgent need to cut global greenhouse pollution. Failure to do this would be reckless and irresponsible, and would condemn the world to runaway dangerous climate change.
Sincerely, *** ---------- With thanks to Steve Philips CoalCommunities coalcommunities@lists.nsw.greens.org.au
4 b). Take to the water on World Environment Day!
On World Environment Day, Monday June 5, join Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle in supporting a colourful flotilla to occupy the world's largest coal exporting port - Newcastle Harbour. Canoes, kayaks, surfboards, surf-skis, tinnies, rafts, floating banners, flags and people paddling together against Australia's massive contribution to climate chaos through coal exports.
Why?
At least one car load of CCBR supporters will be travelling up from Rozelle for the day to join the onshore protesters in this very significant event. Please call Jenny on 0405 031 781 to make arrangements to join us. We will leave around 9am and be back around 4.30-5pm.
The event begins at 11am, at Horseshoe Beach (the dog beach behind Nobby's). For event information, call Rising Tide Newcastle, 0437 275 119.
4 c). Tell NSW Labor to ACT NOW on climate change!
Join us, with our banner, at the rally outside the State Labor Conference to make it clear that we want: • A legislated renewable energy target of 15% by 2012 in NSW • No nuclear power, no more Uranium mines • A stop to Anvil Hill coal mine • Investment in public transport in NSW When: Saturday 10th June, 11am Meet: Sydney Town Hall For more information, call Sue Lewis on 9818 7873
4 d). And then come to a great movie…
After the rally we will be moving swiftly on to the State Theatre to watch the Sydney Film Festival's premiere screening of Al Gore's extraordinary film, An Inconvenient Truth at 12.10pm. $17 per ticket. Book through Ticketmaster on 13 61 00.
5. Free home energy audits
At the recent curry night, David Eckstein offered to visit the home of anyone attending that event, to do a 'walk through audit' to identify simple and cost-effective things that householders could do to cut their energy consumption, thereby reducing their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
The offer stands and David is happy to visit during the month of June 2006.
The 'rules' are simple. You need to: 1. Have one (or preferably more) recent electricity and gas bills to hand 2. Be willing to have David walk through your home -15 minutes max. (no, you don't need to tidy up before the visit! - your personal home chaos remains 'in confidence') 3. Be genuinely willing to undertake at least one of the energy saving actions identifed, (assuming some simple things are identifed).
Contact David directly by email deckstein@iprimus.com.au or phone 9810 8671 to arrange an informal home audit.
6. Sustainable living fairs
There's a heap of great stuff going on during world environment week, like these eco living shows. Randwick Ecoliving Fair 4 June Come along for FREE advice and workshops about sustainable living. There will also be fun activities for the kids, tasty organic food and a BBQ, and heaps of prizes to be won. 10.30am - 3.30pm, Sunday 4 June 2006 Bundock Street Community Centre, 23 Munda St, Randwick (near Hendy Ave) Enquiries: 9399 0898 or go to www.randwick.nsw.gov.au
National Greenbuild and Eco Show 9-11 June Rosehill Gardens Exhibition Centre Adults $ 10 Child $ 5 (under 5yr free) Family $25 www.ecoshow.com.au
Links to some interesting reading
7. It's an ill wind … [Sydney Morning Herald May 19, 2006]
Enemies in high places and activists with nuclear links have taken the puff out of clean energy, writes Wendy Frew.
IT WAS May 2004 and John Howard was looking for an exit clause. A Federal Government scheme to kickstart Australia's renewable energy industry had proved successful beyond anybody's expectations. Wind, the cheapest and most viable source of renewable energy, was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the mandatory renewable energy target.
Giant wind turbines were sprouting all over the country, turbine blade and engine manufacturers were setting up shop, and cash was pouring in from foreign and domestic investors. It seemed Australia was finally tackling its greenhouse gas emissions by getting some clean electricity.
But not everyone was happy with the mandatory target. Leaked minutes from a meeting in the chilly confines of Canberra's political corridors show the Prime Minister had called on some of Australia's biggest contributors to global warming - including the coal and uranium miners Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton - to help the Government devise a way to pull the rug from under the wind industry, but still be seen to be tackling climate change.
Two years on, it has become clear just how deadly that meeting was for wind power. The Government's refusal to extend the mandatory target has left hundreds of renewable energy projects unable to secure contracts. One developer last week cancelled two wind farm proposals worth $550 million, while the future of another $250 million project is in doubt.
Read the full story at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/its-an-ill-wind-133/2006/05/18/1147545460802.html
8. Climate alert spurs nuclear debate [Sydney Morning Herald May 24, 2006] By Stephanie Peatling and Wendy Frew
GLOBAL temperatures will rise by three times as much as many scientists had estimated, resulting in irrevocable changes for life on Earth, according to advice to the Howard Government - arming it with new ammunition to support a nuclear power industry for Australia.
Senior government ministers lined up yesterday to spruik the benefits of nuclear power as a solution to global warming, despite repeated denials from green groups and energy experts that it was a saviour.
The Australia Institute, a left-wing think tank, became the first group to speculate where nuclear power plants would be built, saying Port Stephens and Westernport Bay, in Victoria, were ideal.
Yesterday, the Federal Government released a report it commissioned from the Australian National University, showing global warming would push temperatures up by as much as 5.8 degrees by 2100. It was previously thought the rise would be at the lower end of a range between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees.
To view the entire article, click on: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/05/23/1148150254688.html
9. Let's clear the air on the real nuclear power agenda [Newcastle Herald, May 26, 2006]
By Geoff Evans
Energy security is about a reliable and economic supply of energy that meets the needs of households, industry and communities safely into the future. Nuclear power is arguably the least safe and the least economic power source possible.
Nuclear power has received billions of dollars of public funds, making it the most heavily subsidised form of electric power generation ever, yet the markets and public opinion have consistently rejected it. The industry has jumped at climate change as a drowning man goes for a life raft.
A baby of the military, nuclear power has never really cut the umbilical cord, and we have seen the proliferation of nuclear weapons into previously non-nuclear states of North Korea, Israel, India, Pakistan and potentially Iran, through intertwined military and civilian programs.
Nuclear power stations create highly toxic radioactive wastes. Even after more than 50 years of highly subsidised research, there is still no known way of economically and safely disposing of high-level radioactive wastes on the scale required, and for the tens of thousands of years for which they remain dangerous. Plutonium, a bi-product of nuclear reactors, is one of the most toxic and cancer-causing substances known. What a legacy to leave our children and our children's children….
Nuclear reactors, and their wastes, are potential radioactive time bombs through human error, or as terrorist targets. The only way of maintaining the safety of nuclear power stations and wastes is heightened security, and further curbs on civil liberties. The fallout from the meltdown of the Chernobyl reactor in Ukraine in the 1980s, spread across Europe. It still affects human health twenty years later, and has already produced thousands of thyroid cancers. Other more deadly types of cancer are expected to proliferate over the next few decades. Is this energy security?
Nukes are not a viable option for solving world energy needs. It is not a replacement for oil, the most urgent potential energy shortfall.
Furthermore, the long-term use of nuclear power is not carbon dioxide neutral. There is sufficient high-grade uranium to fuel only a few decades of nuclear power. There is low-grade uranium, but the amount of CO2 generated from the mining and processing this uranium for use in reactors releases at least the same amount of CO2 as that generated by a gas-fired power station.
Therefore, nukes are not a serious energy option for Australia or the world. Even that most hardheaded of Liberal senators, Nick Minchin, has declared that nuclear power will not be economic in Australia for at least 100 years (read 'never').
So, what is the real agenda behind this so-called debate? The promotion of nukes is partly to legitimise the sale of Australian uranium overseas, even better if Australia joins an Enriched Uranium Exporters Club. This is so morally bankrupt - "It's not safe or a solution, but is worth megabucks. Others can wear the problems; we'll just take the profits!"
Perhaps the government hopes to soften up Australians to agree to take back the radioactive wastes produced from Australian uranium exports - a nuclear boomerang. However, it's unlikely to be the people who profit most from uranium exports who end up with a waste dump in their backyard!
The focus on nuclear is, mostly, a cynical attempt to divert attention from the real debate about how to prevent climate chaos, investment in genuine clean renewable energy technologies - solar, wind, biomass and geothermal. It is ridiculous that the Prime Minister revives nukes as news breaks of an increase in CO2 emissions from Australia's coal-fired power stations of nearly 50% since1990, and stalled renewable energy investment.
Nuclear power is expensive, risky, generates toxic and radioactive waste, contributes to the proliferation of nuclear weapons of mass destruction, is a obvious terrorist target, and will not help prevent runaway climate chaos.
The Hunter could lead a genuine clean energy solution for Australia. We have skilled engineers and manufacturing workers here, and world-class renewable energy research at the CSIRO looking at solar thermal, organic photo-voltaics, electrical storage and wind technologies.
The energy debate we really need is how to boost these genuinely clean energy technologies.
Geoff Evans is a director of the Mineral Policy Institute, a member of the international advisory board of the London-based Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, and a researcher at the University of Newcastle.
About us!
10. Solar sell: residents provide the energy to halt climate change [Sydney Morning Herald, May 20, 2006]
By Wendy Frew A GROUP of Sydney residents have cast a ray of sunshine on the otherwise gloomy topic of global warming. Tired of state and federal government inaction and worried about the kind of world their children will inherit, they are working to encourage others on The Balmain-Rozelle peninsula to switch from fossil fuels to clean, renewable sources of energy.
One of their first programs aims to raise enough money to install solar photovoltaic panels at local schools. The threat of global warming was overwhelming for most people, said Alison Potter, one of the members of the collective of parents and residents calling themselves Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle. "It is hard to grasp; hard to get your head around … but it is so tied up with energy use," she said.
That is why the group's essential message is a positive one: that small actions taken by many - such as paying a little extra to buy green power - can make a big difference. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle decided to maximise its impact by targeting the role energy plays in global warming.
"We really want to focus on the coal industry, which is especially bad in this state, and the whole connection between fossil fuels and greenhouse gases," said Sue Lewis, a Rozelle resident and teacher. "It is all doable. Everyone in Rozelle and Balmain can change their energy use to renewable energy."
The group attracted 72 people to a dinner last Saturday at which climate change was discussed and debated, and at which $3600 was raised towards the cost of installing solar power in local schools. The group has distributed about 6000 postcards to homes on the peninsula explaining their campaign. The electricity supplier Origin Energy paid for the cards and is offering a $500 rebate on solar photovoltaic systems for residents.
The principal at Rozelle Primary, Lyn Doppler, supports the group's aims, saying the solar project would mean not only that her school could cut its power bills and greenhouse gases, but the children would learn about sustainability. "[The group's] aim is to take positive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the peninsula," Ms Doppler said. "They realise they have to start small … but in raising the money they are raising awareness."
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