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CCBR Newsletter and Newsflash archive, since June 2009 Updated June 2010 |
Local
Balmain-Rozelle action on Climate….
Leading up to the 2010 Federal elections CCBR Newsflash #69 This week, with our Prime Minister announcing the need for a community consensus on climate*, there has never been a better time to communicate what our community wants. We are heading out into our community to report back on what our neighbours are thinking about renewable energy. August 7 We are Door-knocking! What?! I know, I know - think door-knock, think aaaargh!! Well I can't tell you what a surprise it was to me when I joined people in Newtown to door-knock last month! It was fun and residents were thanking us at their front doors! …because what we were doing was simply asking them what they thought about renewable energy and what our government is (or isn't) doing. We have already got over 30 locals to door-knock with us - Drop us a line to sign-up: ccbalroz@gmail.com . If we get to 60 we could reach over 2,000 households! … in a few hours we can achieve a lot. Together we can make this really big… We will then let Tanya Plibersek, Anthony Albanese and the other Federal candidates for these electorates know what people in our area have to say. Now is a great time to do something worthwhile on climate….but change won't happen without you When: 12.30 - 4.30 Aug 7. You are vital to make it happen. Drop us a line today to find out more: ccbalroz@gmail.com Leichhardt Council presents 'Wind and Renewables Forum' Come along, it's promising to be a great evening. Flyer attached. Please Book on 9367 9220 When: Wednesday, July 28 at 6.30pm Where: Leichhardt Town Hall Web Link info: http://www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au/SPContent.aspx?PageID=34&ItemID=608&count=1 And …
* For more on PM Gillard's announcement go here (Analysis from Climate Action Network Australia) **Come along to our next meeting - every second Tuesday at the Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre. Contact us on: ccbalroz@gmail.com PS - and don't let the deniers get you down … check out the fabulous 'Denier Arguments' section of our website: http://www.climatechangebr.org/page32.htm
Julia needs to hear from you…. “Strong action on climate change now please”…give her a call, leave a message CCBR Newsflash #68 It’s not the sort of thing I do regularly, but this week I rang and left a message for Julia Gillard! Her staffers were very polite and said they would pass my message on… so I said that:
Easy as that…You can do it too! Here is her number: (02) 6277 7700. Now is a great time to do something worthwhile on climate….but change won’t happen without you. You are vital to make it happen. We have compiled a choice of different options on how you can act, from online petitions that take just a second to writing a letter to your local member. So take your pick…. Write a letter to Julia… Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.au We have attached a couple of letters sent by CCBR members to PM Gillard as well as a Proforma from ACF. A while back Julia said: * “We all know that our planet is getting hotter – climate change is the biggest social and economic challenge of our generation. The science is overwhelming and after years of inaction, we can no longer sit on our hands and hope that the problem goes away.” Please write and let her know that we want action on climate. OR… follow the prompts on the ACF /ACTU site to create 3.7 million clean energy jobs go to: Action and News from the Coal Front: Please sign the Online Petition to save the Liverpool Plains: http://www.petitiononline.com/ At this moment mining interests are trying to enter farming lands to explore for coal and gas. The brave farmers in the Gunnedah Basin have blockaded access to their properties to stop this exploration proceeding. This extremely valuable food-bowl is at direct risk – not to mention the further climate implications if coal is to be extracted from these areas. For more info go to: www.ccag.org.au Please call Kristina Keneally or Paul Lynch. This week NSW Cabinet is considering a proposal to ban new coal fired power. If this proposal is not adopted, it's likely that two new coal fired power plants will be built in NSW, increasing our carbon pollution by 15% and locking in dirty energy for the next 30 years. Please pick up your phone and dial the number: 9228 5239 (Premier Kristina Keneally) or 9597 1414 (Minister Paul Lynch) and ask that your message is passed on to the Premier. Here’s what you can say:
I know it can be scary to call your representatives but it works! It feels really positive and powerful to have your voice heard. Please call your elected representatives and show support for this proposal today! For more info on this campaign go to: http://www.greenpeace.org.au/ Join the CCBR working group: We have a vibrant and go-ahead bunch of people getting out and organising some great stuff. Recently we had a great response from our World Environment Day events, the Rozelle “Recycled Fashion Show” and our stall at the Leichhardt Council’s wonderful Eco-Footprints Festival – a great day. At the moment we are organising a local Door-knock with the national campaign www.100percent.org.au , stalls at local markets and working with Council on info forums amongst other things…. So come along to our next meeting – every second Tuesday at the Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre. Contact us on: ccbalroz@gmail.com
Another date for the diary: Leichhardt Council’s Wind and Renewables Forum Where: Leichhardt Town Hall When: 6.30pm 28th July Stay tuned for further details, speakers and booking details (TBA) And some bits and pieces… We need a Carbon Price article by Richard Denniss attached for your information Denier Arguments: Have you been stuck for what to say when those deniers throw a curly one at you? Check out our fabulous ‘Denier Arguments’ section of our website: http://www.climatechangebr. …send it to that relative that you didn’t have the answers for at that BBQ last week….
http://www.deewr.gov.au/
'World Environment Day'- June 5, 2010. See how your Community is getting active…. CCBR Newsflash #67 A fashion parade - Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre - all welcome… Come along this Friday evening to the Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre. 10 Local businesses in the Rozelle 'strip' are celebrating World Environment Day in Style. Check out the best of Rozelle's Sustainable fashion and Boutique stores. All proceeds to the Centre and to Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle. Friday June 4. 6-8pm, Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre. (Just to the left of Rozelle Public School, on the north side of Darling Street, near Victoria Road). Local Festival, 'Eco Footprints' - Annandale, this Sunday… Sunday June 6. 11am-3pm, White's Valley Creek Park. Corner of Piper and Smiths Streets, Annandale. Doorknocking for change and a clean energy future…this Saturday For a while now community climate groups have been door-knocking in Melbourne. If we are to see real change happening then we need to be getting out there and talking to the people. Teams of people all over the country are doing just that, to grow our movement and to get change happening - if you would be keen to give it a go there will be training and a friendly bunch to go door-knocking with in the Newtown area this Saturday. Saturday June 5. 12noon - 4pm, Newtown, Sydney. Contact Lydia on: 0413 229 660 Online Action … just a few clicks away (for World Environment Day): The 100% renewables campaign: www.100percent.org.au .
The Replace Hazelwood Campaign: www.replacehazelwood.org.au Down in Victoria local community groups are calling for the closure of Australia's dirtiest coal-fired power station and for it to be replaced by clean energy by 2012. They are doing an amazing job of doorknocking, letter-boxing, lots of media and letters to the editor….well done to all involved. Check out the fab YouTube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch? GetUp campaign - "Keep Australia Strong": www.getup.org.au/campaign/ This from a recent GetUp action: "You've probably already seen the mining industry's scare campaign against the proposed tax, but have you seen the extraordinary response from GetUp members?...The mining industry's lobby group claim that their industry already pays the highest tax rate in Australia. But the Henry Tax Review estimates that huge government concessions put the Industry's effective tax rate at just 17% - less than most of us pay" GetUp continues to have current, punchy campaigns on Climate Change - sign up to receive their updates. And the Latest news…. The Hydrogen Car: Compliments of "Top Gear" Check this out, a review of the world's first fully functioning Hydrogen car, made by Honda and available to buy….if you live in California. See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? And more at: http://world.honda.com/news/ Denier Arguments: Have you been stuck for what to say when those deniers throw a curly one at you? Check out fabulous 'Denier Arguments' section of our website: http://www.climatechangebr. …and let 'em have it!
Report on Clean Energy Jobs [ACTU]: Last week the Australian Council of Trade Unions launched this new report. It shows if governments act now to shift Australia from a pollution dependent economy to a cleaner economy it will create 3.7million new jobs across the country by 2030. For the media release go Here: http://www.actu.org.au/Media/ Out with the CPRS….in with 100% renewable energy! 10.30am, Sunday May 2 at East Balmain Wharf CCBR Newsflash #66 Now that the Rudd Govt. has decided to shelve the ETS let's make sure thay know what we'd like them to get busy on…there's some serious transition work to be done … www.100percent.org.au So join us on Sunday, we'd love to see you there…see attachment for more info.
Other great stuff you may want to know about:
Meeting with Hon.Verity Firth - See notes from the meeting attached. Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle members Lucy and Derek met with Verity last Friday to find out what State Labor are planning to do about the NSW coal industry and climate change…
Locals starting up a Transition Town for Leichhardt - Flyer attached for more info. The Transition Towns phenomena has spawned groups and intiatives across the country. Come along and see what it is all about. 7.30pm, Friday May 14 Lilyfield Community Centre
GetUp campaign: Very disappointing Mr Rudd! - www.getup.org.au/campaign/ Let Kevin Rudd know what you think about his back flip on the "great moral challenge of our generation" Visit the GetUp site (above) and register your vote of no confidence.
A video: Miniature Earth. - www.miniature-earth.com/me_ If ever you needed another reason to take action, this short video may move you in the right direction, breathtakingly poignant.
Cheers, (and remember today's tobacco industry is tomorrow's coal industry!) Do you want to see 100% renewable energy for Australia? Come and join us Sunday, May 2 at East Balmain Wharf to launch this exciting community campaign ….. CCBR Newsflash #65 This year CCBR has decided to think global and act local by being involved with 2 campaigns: 1. "100% Renewable Campaign" : A national campaign that brings together community groups with one voice to create a rapid transition to renewable energy for Australia. Check out the website: www.100percent.org.au 2. "No New Coal" : A NSW state-based campaign across community, union, environmental, faith and other NGO groups. Members of CCBR are meeting with the Hon.Verity Firth this Friday to find out what the incumbent Labor Government is planning to do regarding the expansion of the NSW coal industry. We will let you know how it goes….
This is a new campaign that has been created by people in communities (like CCBR) for communities across Australia. It is a way that we can build a movement that reflects the overwhelming support for renewable energy in this country. It is designed to grow an inclusive movement that leaves no-one behind, that focuses on a vision for structural and technological change that will create a safe climate for future generations. The Campaign Launch - We need you for a photo…. We will be taking a photo with people from our community down at the East Balmain Wharf. This is a very simple thing to do, but it creates an amazingly powerful message when put together with all the others from around Australia. It would be great if you could come along: · Where: East Balmain Wharf, down at the end of Darling St. · When: 10.30am Sunday May 2…for about 15- 30 minutes! · What to bring: YOU and your friends · What will happen to the photo? It will be posted on the 100% renewable website and be part of the campaign launch, we are hoping to get the local paper to run a story - over 50 other groups like ours from around Australia will be doing the same thing! Want to get involved or any questions contact / rsvp to Dominic at balroz100@gmail.com …and of course if you can't make it Sunday you can always take your own photo (at school, with the soccer team, where ever! with your mates) and send it in to the campaign. Don't forget to send us a copy too ccbalroz@gmail.com . Just check out the 100% website ( www.100percent.org.au ), register your group, take a photo and get your friends to do the same… May 2 is just the launch but the campaign is looking to build the photo library until it reaches thousands! It needs your support and it's fun to do. Hoping to see you on May 2, the more the merrier… Welcome to 2010 from CCBR…. Come and join us at Bondi Beach tomorrow morning….. CCBR Newsflash #64 Welcome back to all you wonderful Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle supporters…..2010 is going to present quite a few interesting challenges for CCBR, we remain, as always, undaunted and committed to creating positive change. Thank you for your continued support in trying to convince our governments to move away from coal fired power and implement a rapid, and fair, transition to 100% renewable energy for Australia. We appreciate all that you do, big and small, and believe that the work that community groups like ours are doing is having an impact, on the decision makers and the wider community's understanding of the issues. The debate is far from over and we are inching closer all the time to achieving our goals. The closer we get… the louder the vested interests will protest....the more important it becomes to keep our sights firmly on the vision, a vision that will help us to claim a safe climate future, for us and future generations. SO!…..CCBR is kicking off the year with an invitation to come to Bondi Beach tomorrow to create a human sign: Where: Bondi Beach When: 10am, Saturday Jan 30, 2010 What to bring: you, your family and friends. If you feel like getting into the coal cleaning side of things also bring along your own bucket and brush and wear white clothes (complete with lots of black smudges) and of course don't forget the sunscreen, hat, refreshments and a good sense of humour! The sign is to say "NO NEW COAL" and there will be some "coal cleaning activities" to illustrate the public's opposition to: 1. Building two new coal fired power stations; at Mt Piper (2000mw) and Bayswater (2000mw) 2. The possible privatisation of some of NSW power assets 3. The upgrade at Munmora coal fired power station(700mw) 4. AND to show that there is no such thing as clean coal. The organisers from another Sydney Climate Action Group are keen to get over 300 people along. Come along and experience the friendly community climate action experience. If you can RSVP (Terry - 0418 859 211) so that they have an idea of numbers that would also be great. (you don't need to RSVP to come along tho') Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think may be interested and able to help make it a success. Hoping you can make it, Copenhagen Edition...
Please pick and choose from the list below, or better still, if you can, do the whole darn lot! CCBR Newsflash #63 Dear CCBR Supporters - as world leaders wing their way to the city of Copenhagen there are two alternative plans on the table....now is the time to give our political leaders the courage to act in the interests of our future generations... As we write the developing nations are calling our Prime Minister a climate sceptic.....his rhetoric evidently not pulling the wool over the eyes of those nations that will feel the devestating effects of Climate Change first and most dramatically. For news from the conference go to the UN site http://en.cop15.dk/ We have compiled a list of Petitions and Activities, please consider spending some time to do some or all of them: 1. Online Petitions: 1.1 'GetUp' Petition: http://www.getup.org.au/ They currently have over 9,000 signatories and are keen to get it over 15,000. 1.2 'Seal the Deal' United Nations: over 446,000 signed so far add your name here http://www.sealthedeal2009. 1.3 'Hopenhagen' Petition: Let's turn Copenhagen into 'Hopenhagen', sign petition here: http://www.hopenhagen.org/ 1.4 'Show Your Vote' Global petition: this petition will be delivered to world leaders asking them to "seal a fair and effective climate deal" go to: http://www.showyourvote.org/ 1.5 'I want a deal to save the climate' Sign up for Greenpeace's Dirty Kev rapid response campaign at: http://www.dirtykev.org/ 1.6 'tck tck tck - I am ready': http://tcktcktck.org/stories/ 1.7 The Survival Pact: a call from developing nations to keep co2 to below 350 ppm in the atmosphere, sign here: http://action.350.org/p/dia/ 1.8 Australian Conservation Foundation's Who on Earth Cares campaign is suggesting we pen a message to Kevin Rudd, see here: http://action.whoonearthcares. ....ACF is also giving us a great 'report card' update on how Australia is performing at C'hagen, see how we are doing here: http://www.acfonline.org.au/
2. Activities in Sydney: 2.1 "No xmas Coal" Macquarie St, Sydney - Thursday Dec 16, 8am. The theme will be "we don't want coal for Christmas" - there will be a xmas tree and we will be handing out lumps of coal wrapped in ribbon to State Labour politicians as they arrive for an ALP caucus meeting. Bring along santa hats and "no new coal" placards - or just turn up. 2.2 Climate Emergency Gathering, Martin Place Thursday Dec 16, 5pm. to demand that our government fulfils its responsibility to ensure a safe climate future for us and future generations. We will demand that our government: commits to a fair, ambitious and binding climate agreement; invests in industry restructuring and green jobs; actively supports sustainable food and land use reform. 2.3 Write to Penny or your MP.... Now would be a good time for you to tell Penny Wong & her colleagues at the Department of Climate Change what you think of the way they are representing your interests: Senator.wong@aph.gov.au , communications@climatechange. ..and if you would like to write to them in support of the Small Island Nations like Tuvalu please feel free to use the attached document for guidelines. or the papers.... · The Sydney Morning Herald: letters@smh.com.au · The Telegraph: http://www.dailytelegraph.com. · The Australian: letters@theaustralian.com.au · Australian Financial Review: edletters@afr.com.au · The Herald Sun: www.news.com.au/heraldsun/ or ring the radio stations!... ABC: 1300 222 702 or sms: 199 22 702 2UE: 13 13 32 2GB: 13 18 73 2.4 Call Kevin Rudd! the Wilderness Society has set up a page to help you with this here: https://secure. ....and lastly, a dose of hope! ...images from 350.org from the vigils worldwide Dec 11-13, ....and 80,000 Australians hit the streets at Walk Against Warming last Saturday see a slide show here: http://coptv.getup.org.au/ ...for those of you who are keen to see the live roasting of the climate denier Ian Plimer, have a look at Tony Jones and George Monbiot eloquently rip him to shreds on ABC's Lateline Tues night: http://www.abc.net.au/ "Plimer, Monbiot cross swords in climate debate" ...and some good news on Carbon Capture and Storage from Copenhagen - see the attachment or go to http://en.cop15.dk/ good luck with all that! thank you for your continuing support, Come along to the 2009 Walk.... CCBR Newsflash #62 ...well where do we start! what an extraordinary week! with less than 10 days to go until Copenhagen and all the craziness around the science, we thought we should encourage our 800 strong supporter ship (yes there are over 800 of you!) to invite everyone you know to join you at the Walk Against Warming on Dec 12 details below.....
Where: Martin place, Sydney City When: Saturday Dec 12 at 1pm Theme: Blue laces!.....With or without blue laces, come on along More info at http://www.walkagainstwarming. You can register for the Walk (let the pollies know in advance that you'll be there), sign a petition or buy blue laces. Volunteers.....Can you leaflet your street for the walk? This year the walk needs more people than ever... Please contact Steve: steve@runawaytours.com.au if you can help us to get the message out. In the meantime CCBR would like to urge you to put your thoughts into letters and emails......let the newspapers and your politicians know what you think. If you've not done it before...now really is a perfect time to have a go. It is your voices that they want to hear...let them know what you think. 31 days to go till Copenhagen, and counting.... CCBR Newsflash #61 Greenpeace is presently running an excellent campaign to let Kevin Rudd know what we want on climate change, take a minute to complete this petition..or send him the online letter. Let him know how you feel, we highly recommend it go here:http://www.dirtykev.org/
If a good old fashioned letter to our Prime Minister or Climate Minister is more your style then please use the attached letter that one of our members (thanks Sue) has written for your use...its a cracker! A Rally: News from the coal face....3A ruling on coal expansion In June, NSW Planning Minister Keneally approved a $50 million expansion of the Metropolitan Collieries under Part 3A, the first decision since a major government inquiry into the impact of coal mining on water in the Southern Coalfields. The approval allows for longwall mining to take place directly under the Woronora Dam, one of Sydney's most reliable drinking water sources.
As you may well know, on the 24th of October 20,417 photos were received by 350.org from 5200 actions in 181 countries!! You can spend hours looking at the miriad of images or you can check out the 3 minute international vid here or the Australian one here Where to next? - if you did a photo or took action we urge you to send the image to your MP, here's the link to the site with prompts on what to do: http://www.350.org/ ........while you're there check out the photo gallery...trully amazing!
This new report is presenting a case for Australia to follow in the UK's eco footprints. It proposes a goal of comprehensively retrofitting our entire existing housing stock over the next decade with a focus on government investment in upgrading low income housing stock over the next 5 years. The report can be viewed at: http://www.envict.org.au/file/ CCBR Newsflash #60 1."350.org" see below for events around Sydney..... 2. Stop new coal fired power stations send a submission before Oct 26..... 3. CCBRs Age of Stupid screening what a success!! This Saturday (Oct 24) - 350 .org Sydney Events: be a part of this historic event.... Be part of 350.org (it's all about 'parts per million') Take a photo or be in a photo to send a message to world leaders, including K.Rudd, calling for a meaningful binding agreement in Copenhagen this December. Come along to one of the local events organised, there are some amazing things happening : 12 noon - Climate Action Newtown are building an iceberg! across from the Railway Station, more info here . 2-3.30pm - Sydney Opera House more info here 2-4.30pm - Human Signs on Sydney Beaches. For details of times and places see Manly, Monavale, Dee Why 2pm - Tall Ship, Sailing from Circular Qauy, Sydney Harbour more info here 5pm - Picnic at Putney Park. Ryde Gladesville Climate Group is having a picnic evening with lantern making and live entertainment. more info here and plenty of other actions...go to the 350.org site to find them here. Check out the 1min. Australian 350 video here CCBR Have already done some 350 shots - if you can't make it to an event...even better...take a photo! L to R: Steve's Blue Mountaineers, Rozelle kids at the Great Barrier Reef, Rozelle Primary Kids after a Climate Change '350' assembly, Plain and Pearl for 350!, Rozelle resident Fiona and kids, Our Future is in her Hands, Gayle's meter box "it's geting hot in here" conversation, Rachel's 350 "knitters".
Stop the Power Station Expansions.... Take 10 mins to get a submission in before Monday... Submissions close Monday - have your say here for Mt Piper or here for Bayswater. (these links take you to the official Govt site) For a guide on writing submissions go here. (this link takes you to Rising Tide's site, Newcastle) To see the submissions that CCBR have submitted go to: http://www.climatechangebr. "Age of Stupid" screening, Leichardt Town Hall On Tuesday Oct 14 we were thrilled to have packed-out the Town Hall with over 200 local residents - it seems that Climate active citizens are alive and well in the inner west! We've been inundated with positive feedback from those who came along, thanks to all of you who made it along and make sure that you send us your 350 photo! Many thanks to Leichhardt Council for helping us to stage this successful event. CCBR meetings For those interested in coming along to one of our blisteringly riveting CCBR Working Group meetings, we meet fortnightly on Tuesdays, 7.30pm at the Rozelle Community Centre, just behind Rozelle Primary School. Drop us a line if you're thinking of coming along..... Your invitation to "The Age of Stupid" Leichhardt Town Hall - Oct 13 - 7.30pm - Free!!
Dear CCBR Supporters, Next Tuesday evening (Oct 13) we are proud to be showing this film to locals for free! If you are wondering what the hec more you can do as an individual about the whole climate change situation then this is an event for you! The movie is a compelling documentary style piece (very low on the graphs) and the evening will be finished off with relevant information that can help us all to take meaningful action to make change happen. We invite and encourage you all to come along....see our promo here Other events/actions in October: CCBR Newsflash #59 - Climate Camp is happening this weekend at Helensburgh More info here - 350.org, events happening all over Australia on October 24. more info here (Australia) here (international) - Sail Sydney Harbour on a tall ship on October 24!...and be part of 350...more info here - Send submissions to stop new coal fired power stations, currently seeking approval in NSW. Submission guide: here CCBR meetings: For those interested in seeing grassroots argy bargy in action or want to come along and give us a piece of your mind and thoughts, the next meeting of the CCBR working group will be - Tuesday Oct 20, at 7.30pm at the Rozelle Community Centre, just behind Rozelle Primary School. . 80 days to Copenhagen.... and counting CCBR Newsflash #58 Dear CCBR Supporters, In the same week that the UN Secretary-General, Ban ki-moon, is urging world leaders in New York to think about the conditions that will sustain life in the future, a report by the World Bank reveals we are now collectively planning to build so many coal-fired power stations over the next 25 years that their lifetime carbon emissions will equal the total of all the human coal-burning activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution. As one of the world's biggest exporters of coal, Australia is a big contributor to what scientists predict will be a five to six degree rise in temperature by 2100. And yet, our Prime Minister has been talking this week about a need to "manage down" expectations for a global climatae agreement in Copenhagen in December (For more by Marian Wilkinson, see ( As the the Copenhagen negotiations loom closer, the number of events and actions taking place are increasing. Never has it been a better time to voice, write or show off your concern. Here are just a few things coming up. Free movie: The Age of Stupid Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle would like to invite you and your friends to a free screening of the UK documentary The Age of Stupid, created by Franny Armstrong, at Leichhardt Town Hall on Tuesday, October 13, at 7.30pm. The film stars Oscar nominated Pete Postlethewaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching archival footage from 2008 and asking why we didn't stop climate change when we still had the chance. This compelling film is rated by the British Film Board as suitable for children aged 12+. We would like to thank Leichhardt Council for its support in hosting this free, carbon-neutral event. Please come along on the night and bring your friends and family. To view a film trailer, visit www.ageofstupid.net. The Pledge On November 30, one week before the beginning of the Copenhagen climate negotiations, activists worldwide will be staging non-violent actions in cities around the world. When at least 10,000 people have signed up to this list here in Australia, there will be the largest civil disobedience action in history of the climate-change movement. Join. There are already more 4500 Australians who have signed up to the Pledge: to engage in non-volent civil disobedience and risk arrest in order to get our leaders to make the right climate-change choices to bring global CO2 back to the safe zone, we need a global agreement now. But we can't wait for politicians to do the right thing. We need to turn the political heat way up. To join, visit: http://beyondtalk.net/ October 24 is International Day of Climate Change. As part of that, 350.org is registering actions taking place all over the world. Whether it is a photo of you and friends with the 350.org sign or a tree planting party at home, register your interest at www.350.org. While you're there, read up about how the head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and UN's top scientist, Rajendra Pachauri, has supported calls to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million. Or check out some of the 350.org shots by locals on our website: www.climatechangebr. Last Monday's 'Wake Up Call' Last Monday one of CCBR's supporters, Sallie, held a flashmob event at the forecourt of custom's house at Circular Quay. About 30 people turned up to be part of this global action, which was fun and inspiring. Sallie, who has never done anything like this before, was pretty chuffed at adding to the global call for immediate action. See the event here: http://www.youtube.com/ Or see a composite of the global events here: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/ And a thank you to Sallie and all of you who managed to come along. CCBR meetings For those interested in seeing grassroots argy bargy in action or want to come along and give us a piece of your mind and thoughts, remember the next meeting of the CCBR is in a fortnight - Tuesday, Sept 29, at 7.30pm at the Rozelle Community Centre, just behind Rozelle Primary School.Join the Global Climate Wake up Call...... Sept 21st - The United Nation's International Day of Peace. CCBR Newsflash #57 Dear CCBR Supporters, This week is the United Nation's "Week of Global Peace". In New York, world leaders will be attending a special UN Heads of State summit on Climate Change. Kevin Rudd will be there and we need you, to join with thousands of others the world over, in sending a message of unified support to prepare the way (now!) for meaningful and productive negotiations later this year in Copenhagen. Sallie, a local mum and one of CCBR's supporters, has organised a fun, easy to attend Flashmob as part of the global Avaaz campaign. So far she has had about 30 RSVPs.....If you'd like to come and have any friends/colleagues you can drag along on the day to get the numbers even higher, that would be great! Come along tomorrow for 10 minutes and let's make a difference: Where: In front of Custom's House, near circular Quay, Sydney When: 12.18 pm, Mon Sept 21 (18th of the 12th is the last day of negotiating in Copenhagen) What to bring: Your mobile phone (see description of event below) Who should come along: Everyone! Event description from Sallie......"This is the first time I've taken part in a flashmob so it's all new to me! I simply felt compelled to take up the challenge as an ordinary citizen and mother who is concerned about the future of the planet and the kind of future we're creating for the generations to come. I guess you're all taking part for similar reasons. I am anticipating a simple event whereby we all congregate in the first instance around the sound of our mobile alarms. ...Don't forget to set your alarms for 12.18! I'll hold my phone up and you can all just walk towards the sound from wherever you are without saying a word. We'll freeze for a while in that pose with our phones in our right hand in the air, alarms blazing at full volume. Then I'll simply start to swing my left arm round like a clock hand and softly chant "tck tck tck". If you can all follow suit and we'll then gradually get louder and faster until I guess we run out of breath and start clapping and cheering! (For the sake of making it easier to video and for people to witness, I guess we should all make sure we're looking out and not in on the group when we start the ticking arms.) I'll then thank you all for coming and state why we are here. Then we'll pose for a group photo. I'm going to print out a few A4 size banners that Avaaz is providing for download with messages like "Wake Up Leaders - Climate Action Now". We can hold these during the group shot. After that it's down to business as we make phone calls to our elected representatives. I'll bring phone numbers on Monday but if you want to call your own Federal MP on the day, bring the number to do so. If the lines are busy then we just keep trying throughout the day. Avaaz suggests we make the calls against a backdrop of "wake up noise", so if anybody is able to stick a whistle, horn or shaker in their pocket or bag to help achieve this, please do so. And then it's all over! I envisage the whole thing will not take up more than about ten minutes of your time." For Sallie's event on the avaaz site go to: http://www.avaaz.org/en/ Can't make it there at 12.18?....See other Sydney flashmobs/events at various times and locations: http://www.avaaz.org/en/ ....and if you can't do one of them either then ...take a few seconds to participate in this poll in The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.news. Lastly, soon we'll be sending out further information on: Climate Camp 9-11th October A local commmunity screening of the new film "Age of Stupid". Oct 13 Leichhardt own Hall. Global day of action on Climate Change, Oct 24. 350.org100 days to Copenhagen.... and counting CCBR Newsflash #56 Dear CCBR Supporters, As news breaks of July recording the hottest ocean temperature since records began 130 years ago (according to the US National Climactic Data Centre), the pressure continues to mount on leaders around the world to get things right at the international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December. With just under 100 days until international leaders meet in Europe to decide what is often touted as the most crucial talks to date on the issue, the time for voicing your concerns is now. With that in mind, here are a couple of things worth checking out in coming days and weeks. Online petition Online global activist group Avaaz is considering a global wake-up call to world leaders on September 21 to help get the climate change treaty right at Copenhagen. Involving rallies, online petitions and calls to world leaders, it would all be presented at the UN climate summer in New York the next day. Log on to www.avaaz.org for details. October 24 is International Day of Climate Change. As part of that, 350.org is registering actions taking place all over the world. Whether it is a photo of you and friends with the 350.org sign or a tree planting party at home, register your interest at www.350.org. While you're there, read up about how the head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and UN's top scientist, Rajendra Pachauri, has supported calls to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million. Climate Camp Finally, just a reminder that the Climate Camp 2009 is on from October 9-11 at Australia's oldest coal mine in Helensburgh. Designed as three days of workshops, sustainable living and grassroots action to stop the expansion of the mine. Check out the website at www.climatecamp.org.au for more information. Meanwhile, there is a fundraising art auction on September 3 to support the camp. At the Mori Gallery, 168 Day Street, Sydney, from 6-8pm this Thursday. CCBR meetings For those interested in seeing grassroots argy bargy in action or want to come along and give us a piece of your mind and thoughts, remember the next meeting of the CCBR is in a fortnight - Tuesday, Sept 15, at 7.30pm at the Rozelle Community Centre, just behind Rozelle Primary School. Time to have our voice on the emissions trading scheme heard.... CCBR Newsflash #55
Dear CCBR Supporters, This Thursday, the government's disastrous CPRS (Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme) legislation goes to the vote. It involves locking us in to a carbon trading scheme with minuscule reduction targets (5-15% by 2020) and massive handouts worth $16.4 billion to big polluting companies.
A large part of Australia's "reductions" in emissions will involve companies buying carbon "offsets" from developing countries - this is not the answer when we can be building an enviable renewable energy industry - transitioning affected sectors across to a new and vital clean energy economy.
A festival to move us towards the future.... CCBR Newsflash #54
Dear CCBR Supporters, Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle is proposing to hold an innovative and inspiring event on the forecourt of the Opera House that will build the community climate movement and send a message to Australian and world leaders for the need of a strong agreement at Copenhagen in December this year.
We are seeking your assistance in funding this event. Are you interested? Do you know somebody who would be?
There would never be a better time than now to do something like this to create the changes that we need to see in the world - please have a look at the attached proposal for more information...
We would welcome any assistance that you may be able to offer us in making this event a reality.
Look, Listen, Act...Be inspired! CCBR Newsflash #53 Dear CCBR Supporters, Whilst Penny Wong is busy telling us that our solutions are not possible - we are seeing all around us that this simply is not the case. The solutions are with us, current technologies can be effectively employed, humans have the ability to solve problems that seem insurmountable and our society is becoming mind bogglingly efficient at harnessing the internet to create a world community that can respond. For example go to www.350.org or read on.....in this bumper Newsflash we are giving you lots of different options on information and action...... Latest science and recent media: "The Great Disruption" - Paul Gilding, a stunning speech about humanity, climate change and the solutions, aired on ABC Radio National last weekend. Listen here: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/ "The Copenhagen Synthesis Report" - This report that has just been released, it synthesises the findings of the Copenhagen Science Congress held in March this year. It has 6 key messages around: Climatic Trends / Social and Environmental Disruption / Long-term Strategy /Global Targets and Timetables / Equity Dimensions / Inaction is Inexcusable / Meeting the Challenge. See the report at http://climatecongress.ku. "US Climate Change Report" - Released this week by the US Global Change Research Program. This report will be a guiding element for the Obama administration whilst developing it's response to Climate Change. See it at: Complaint lodged with ACCC - ACF has recently lodged a complaint with the authority over misleading corporate carbon claims see more: http://www.acfonline.org.au/ Weekly media roundup by CarbonEquity . If you would like to receive this excellant fortnightly service go to: www.carbonequity.info or subscribe direct (1 email/week) to carbonequityproject-subscribe@ Things to do online: Senate votes on renewable energy, 1 week to go!- ACF is calling on the Senate to set a stronger 25% Renewable Energy Target and remove key loopholes in the Government's proposal that gives the big polluters a free ride. For an easy step by step instruction on sending the 3 key senators your vote for real change go to: http://www.acfonline.org.au/ Copenhagen Petition - Greenpeace."Dear leaders, I call upon you, not as representatives of your countries, but as leaders of the world, to personally attend the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December". To add your voice sign the petition at: http://www.greenpeace. "www.350.org" - Global Visual Petition. Have a look at: www.350.org Join 1 Million Women - A new campaign calling on women of Australia to commit to reducing CO2. The site calculates how much C02 your actions save - they also have on line chat spaces where you can share your thoughts on climate change issues - find out more: http://www.1millionwomen.com. Buying Green! - NYT article. Use your i-phone to help you make green choices when shopping, incredible. Check out this New York Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/
Flashmob at its best! This YouTube clip showcases a flashmob that happened in London, January this year. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? Events and what's coming up: Climate Change Exhibition - Australian Museum 2 May - 16 August, 2009. Grab the family and head to this new interactive exhibition at the Australian Museum. takes you on a surprising trip through two possible scenarios - one where nothing has been done to combat climate change and the other showing how nations, communities and individuals can take positive action to help save the planet. http://www.australianmuseum. Callout for Sustainable Houses - Would you consider opening your house for a day? ANZSES http://www.anzses.org/ with Leichhardt Council are organising open homes for Sustainable House Day - September 13. They are seeking homes that have had recent "sustainable" renovations, are you interested? Contact: Bob Sutton on (02) 9698 3013 or Rachel Maitland, Leichhardt Municipal Council on (02) 9367 9381,email: rachelm@lmc.nsw.gov.au Climate Action Group Meet-up - If you would like to become more active or linked in with what's going on in this state and nationally come along to the UTS Students' Association, Level 3 on Saturday 27th June, 10am-4pm. CCBR working party members will be going come with us! All welcome "www.350.org" - Global Visual Petition. Be a part of this amazingly powerful and creative campaign in the lead up to the UNFCCC talks in Copenhagen. Check it out at http://www.350.org . CCBR would love to participate - do you have any ideas? Would you like to connect with others to create a 350 contribution? You don't need to have ever done anything like this before...for ideas go to: http://www.350.org/action- "Power Shift 2009" - Youth Convergence. In four weeks time, thousands of young Australians are converging on Sydney to train and mobilise for climate action. GetUp is assisting the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, to organise this potentially nation changing event. If you're aged 14-30 and want to find out more go to: http://www.getup.org.au/ Climate Emergency Rallies, June 13 - Report Back: TV news -YouTube compilation of various news footage on the day, Don't miss the bit on the ABC when Penny Wong has been forced to respond, saying "What many of these people are calling for simply can't be done" http://www.youtube.com/ Protest video - this from the Greenpeace AP site: http://www. Sydney Morning Herald article - "Renewable ready by 2020" - http://business.smh.com.au/ New Matilda article - "Non Violent but Determined" by John Hepburn: http://newmatilda.com/2009/06/ Many thanks to Gayle from CCBR for all the time she put into the rally and thanks also go to Leichhardt Council for their support.
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