CLIMATE EMERGENCY RALLY

Morwell meeting: Clean energy or coal?

2009-09-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

What future for Latrobe jobs?

Speakers:
Denise McKenna (local environment campaigner)
John Parker (Gippsland Trades & Labour Council)
Mark Ogge (Beyond Zero Emissions)
Damien Lawson (‘Switch Off Hazelwood’ and Friends of the Earth)
An open public meeting with time for questions

6:30 PM, Wed 9th September
at the Migrant Resource Centre
100 Buckley St, Morwell
For more info phone Ben on 0413 580 706

Worldwide, people are protesting to close polluting coal fired power stations to stop global warming. Unions are protesting against the owners of the power stations for their members’ conditions and jobs. The owners of the power stations like International Power are threatening to close them if they can’t be run at a profit.
When the power industry was privatised in the 1990s, around 16 000 jobs were lost in the Valley, devastating the community. Can we prevent a repeat of this disaster? Can clean energy provide jobs for the valley and protect the environment?
Come along to this forum to hear speakers and join the discussion.

Switch Off Hazelwood... Switch On Trivia!

2009-07-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

TRIVIA NIGHT - ALL WELCOME

Saturday 15 August, 7pm
Northcote High School - 25 St Georges Rd, Northcote

Tkts: $20/$15 (conc) - or table of 8 for $120
(Book online or contact Taegen on 0438 787 026)

A few reasons...
a) to have fun;
b) to see who's the most intelligent amongst us; and
c) to raise a few bucks to support the community protest Switch Off Hazelwood at Victoria's dirtiest coal-fired power station, 12-13 Sept

Switch off Hazelwood!

2009-07-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

On Sunday September 12-13, 2009 people from across Victoria, and Australia, will come together for a peaceful community mass civil disobedience to Switch off Hazelwood and Switch off Coal -taking action for renewable energy.

Switch off Hazelwood. Switch off Coal is the first in a series of national fun, creative and inspiring community mass civil disobedience actions at one of the main causes of climate change - coal burning power stations.

Hazelwood coal power station is one of the dirtiest coal stations in the industrialised world, spewing an average of 17 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Hazelwood was scheduled to be shut down in 2005, however it was given a life-line by the ALP state
Government to keep operation until 2031. We need to remove that lifeline and extend it to climate protection and renewable energy.

This polluter of the past has to be switched off to allow us to switch on renewable energy for the future.

We are all affected by climate change and it is time for us to remove the social licence for polluting dinosaurs like Hazelwood.

Join us for a peaceful day of community protest and mass civil disobedience. Be creative, be inspired and be there!

There are many opportunities for people to get involved in making this event happen from joining the creative collective, media team, community outreach group or even helping with our fundraising Trivia night on Aug 15.

If you would like to know more about the event, or how to get involved, email info@switchoffhazelwood.org or come along to our weekly organising meetings every Thursday, 6pm at the Climate Action Centre: Level 5, New (rear) Building, Victorian Trades Hall, Cnr Victoria and Lygon Sts, Carlton South.

Another banner drop

2009-06-18T18:16:00.001-07:00

Click on the image for a more readable version.

Unfortunately this was only published post-rally, but the article is worth it anyway - and it was printed next to an article about the sudden cut-off of the solar rebate which made for a good page of climate news in the local rag!

After the rallies...

2009-06-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

You can see more pictures and commentary on the rallies at the Climate Action Centre website.

In the meantime, here's some ideas for what you can come along to in Melbourne to support the ongoing climate emergency protest movement. These events are just a sample of what's on in the next week! If you want to keep in touch beyond that, subscribe to the Victorian Climate Diary and/or the Climate Action Calendar.

Public Debate - IS THE GOVERNMENT’S EMISSION TRADING SCHEME BETTER THAN NOTHING?
Speakers:
· Peter Christoff - Senior Lecturer in Environmental Studies, University of Melbourne, & Vice-President of the Australian Conservation Foundation
· Adam Bandt - National Convenor of The Greens
· Chris Breen - Solidarity National Committee Member

Tue 16 June 6.30pm at RMIT University Function Room (enter via Swanston St next to Commonwealth bank)
Info: 0403 013 183 or melbourne@solidarity.net.au
Organised by Solidarity www.solidarity.net.au

Public Protest Meeting NO TO THE NORTH EAST LINK (F18 FREEWAY) YES TO SUSTAINABLE AND CHEAPER TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS!
The MP for Ivanhoe, Craig Langdon, has invited representatives of the Southern Integrated Transport Authority to advise the community on how the Mullum Mullum Tunnel was built. This is in an effort to eliminate concerns about the planned freeway/tunnel through Banyule Flats – the NE Link or F18 Freeway.

The NE Link will destroy the amenity of our Parklands and natural spaces. Staging sites and vent stacks will further degrade our area. The NE Link does nothing against climate change or the reduction in carbon emissions. Nor does it improve public transport or encourage modal shift from private car use to public transport. Another freeway is not the solution. There are cheaper, better and sustainable alternatives.

Make your voice heard and join the protest with your Family and Friends. Everyone is welcome! Banners and placards will be provided.

Wed 17 June, 7.15pm sharp - Outside Bellfield Community Centre (Crn Banksia Str & Oriel Rd.) HEIDLEBERG WEST
Info: Marion Ware 0413 41 88 32 info@friendsofbanyule.org
Organised by Friends of Banyule and Associated Groups

HOW TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE: WHY IS CARBON TRADING SO CONTROVERSIAL? A discussion of the Rudd government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
Speakers:
• Kenneth Davidson (columnist from the Age newspaper & co-editor of Dissent magazine)
• Trent Hawkins (Resistance organiser & climate change activist)
• Merryn Ridenbach (Moreland Climate Action Group)

Thursday 18 June, 7pm at the Anatolian Cultural Centre, 195 Sydney Rd, (100m sth of Reynard St), Coburg
For more info: ph 9639 8622 or 0407 023 672.
Organised by Socialist Alliance.

Hazelwood power station: direct action protest in September
first meeting 6pm Thursday 18 June @ Climate Action Centre.
Info Louise 0408906310

DISCUSSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, screening of "SISTERS ON THE PLANET" and CLIMATE JUSTICE Powerpoint presentation

Organised by Diamond Valley Oxfam

Speaker: Don Stokes, Diamond Valley Oxfam-member and CEN trained climate change presenter.

Don will show a Powerpoint Presentation put together by the Friends of The Earth Climate Justice Collective and he will lead the discussion on the issues of climate change, and climate justice.

Come and discuss what we as individuals and as an Oxfam group should and can do to address the problem.

Friday 19 June, 8pm at Nillumbik Living and Learning Centre, 739 Main Rd ELTHAM.
Info: Stephen Lavender 9439 2063

Banner drop on Eastern Freeway

2009-06-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well done those activists!

National Climate Emergency Rally

2009-06-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

1pm, Saturday, June 13 State Library, Melbourne
(march to Treasury Gardens)

Speakers and entertainment includes: Peter Marshall - United Firefighters Union, Emeretta Cross -Tuvaluan climate activist, David Spratt - author Climate Code Red, Greens leader Senator Bob Brown, Rod Quantock - Melbourne comedian and Taegan Edwards - Yarra Climate Action Now. Music by Melting Pot.
Bring noise making instruments if you can.

Please tell your family, friends and workmates.

Interstate events: www.climaterally.org

Info: 03 9639 3660 or info@climateactioncentre.org
--

If you have thought of taking action on climate change, now is the time. Drought, bushfires, floods and rising seas are already hitting hard. It's an emergency and we need emergency action.

In December 2009, governments of the world will meet in Copenhagen to create a new global climate agreement. Australia must support, not stop, strong global action.

We can tackle the recession and climate change together. Direct investment in renewable energy will create jobs, stimulate the economy and begin to create the carbon-free economy of the future.

100% renewable energy by 2020

Australia must make the shift from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy from wind, solar and other available technologies.

Green collar jobs not job cuts

We can renew our economy by creating hundreds of thousands of 'green jobs' and supporting workers to make a fair and just transition to sustainable industries.

Strong international action with climate justice

Australia must take the lead in global climate talks, not undermine them with an ineffective 5%-15% target. Globally, we must to listen those who are most affected by climate change and least responsible for it.

Don't pass the Carbon Pollution law

We need climate policies that make the big polluters pay and not allow big companies to go on polluting. The CPRS won't reduce Australia's greenhouse pollution.

Protect Australia's Forests

Logging and clearing vegetation are major contributors to climate change as forests and woodlands are important carbon stores.

1pm Saturday, June 13, State Library
Only a strong and growing movement for change will make a difference. Come with your friends and family to the Rally. Help promote the rally in your community.

www.climateactioncentre.org
www.twitter.com/climatecentre

National Climate Emergency Rally 2009

2009-05-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

Join thousands around Australia in calling for real action for a safe climate.

1pm State Library Saturday, June 13

For other states' rallies & other details click here

Organising Meetings: 6.30 PM every Thursday at the Climate Action Centre- 5th floor, annex building at Trades Hall (corner Victoria & Lygon St).

Download leaflets for Melbourne Rally (2.12MB pdf file)

Call the Climate Action Centre on 03 9639 3660 or email for more detail.

Our future...

2009-05-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Photo by Aerofoto.
Well done to everyone! More photos at www.live.org.au.

St Kilda beach human sign: May 17 - be there!

2009-03-02T03:27:00.000-08:00

LIVE is inviting families, schools, other community groups, and individuals to register to participate in forming a Human Sign. The sign will be formed by thousands of people, on St Kilda Beach, at 11 am on Sunday 17 May 2009.

The message will be
CLIMATE CHANGE – OUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS
Letters in the message will be assigned to participating schools in the City of Port Phillip. Other letters will be assigned to other members of the public who register.

Human Sign - Sandringham Beach - April 2007 - Photo by Aerofoto

Organisation is a co-operative effort between LIVE, Port Phillip EcoCentre, Cool Melbourne and the Bayside Climate Change Action Group. The City of Port Phillip is delighted to be hosting our Human Sign on St Kilda Beach and is kindly assisting us to promote it.

Visit the L.I.V.E. website for all the information!

A view on the Climate Emergency Rally

2008-12-09T13:04:00.000-08:00

Sue Jackson wrote an article in Aduki online magazine about the July 5 Climate Emergency Rally which is also available as a PDF document at the Climate Emergency Network - click here to read.

An excerpt:
"Nowadays, we are becoming more and more aware of the efficacy of the the internet in spearheading social change. The internet is one powerful marginal venue while rallies, where people assemble to share and voice their concerns, are another. In fact the themes at protests often indicate the directions in which a society is moving long before those concerns become mainstream.

By the time we had a prime minister willing to say ‘Sorry’ to Indigenous Australians in Parliament, millions of ordinary Australians had been meeting and marching for years to demand an apology."

The events also inspired this account in Green Left Weekly from rally organiser Ben Courtice.
"The new Climate Emergencyh Network in Melbourne links together many local climate action groups, including some that helped swing marginal electorates in the 2007 federal election. In Melbourne, the 4000-strong Climate Emergency Rally did not just spell out the letters “climate emergency” on the ground; it united activists from new climate action groups, campaigns against desalination and bay dredging, and more established groups like Friends of the Earth and Environment Victoria. A week later, a mass direct-action protest halted coal trains at Newcastle.

(... )

"There is no shortage of enthusiasm. In Melbourne, outer suburban public meetings with David Spratt, co-author of Climate Code Red, have shown this: more than 30 turned out in Strathmore for the first meeting of a new climate action group and a meeting of 80 in Frankston decided to set up a climate action group on the spot."

Climate Criminals Tour Pictures

2008-09-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

THE ARCTIC ICE IS MELTING AT A RECORD RATE

2008-09-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

While politicians and investors debate the merits of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels of between 450 and 550 parts per million, the current level of around 390 parts per million is causing the Arctic sea ice to melt. The 2008 melt is climaxing this week and is almost as much as the record 2007 melt. By 2013, the ice may be all gone in summer.

This is a trigger for runaway global warming.

If the Arctic is ice free, the warmer sea will melt Greenland (causing a 7-metre worldwide sea level rise) and the frozen Arctic permafrost soils. According to the CSIRO, permafrost could release up to 1500 billion tonnes of carbon, twice the amount of CO2 already in the atmosphere.

There is already too much CO2 in the atmosphere – fossil fuel use must be rapidly abandoned and excess CO2 drawn out of the atmosphere. This is an emergency, but governments and corporations are continuing with business as usual.

We are protesting the corporations who continue to invest in new fossil fuels to burn, and the government that supports them with new fossil fuel power stations, desalination and new tollways.

Climate Criminals Tour

2008-09-14T02:46:00.000-07:00

From the folks who brought you the July 5th Climate Emergency Rally & Human Sign, which saw over 4000 people rally in Melbourne to protest the government’s inaction in the face of climate emergency, we bring you:

The inaugural Melbourne

CLIMATE CRIMINALS TOUR

We will meet at 4pm on Friday September 19, on Southbank by the river outside ExxonMobil's Southbank office, and with comedian Rod Quantock leading the proceedings, we will move through the city to BHP Billiton, to Peter Batchelor’s Office, then finishing with speakers at Parliament House from 6pm. Join us at the start, or meet us at Parliament as you are able!

Chris Breen, event organiser says:
“We have called the climate criminals tour protest, to hold government and corporations to account for their insanity in failing to act to cut emissions, when the technology exists to do this and when they know that the climate crisis threatens us all; they are literally putting profit before life. Carbon trading won’t solve the problem, you can’t solve market failure with more market failure, we need massive government investment in renewable energy and public transport”

Some information about these climate criminals:

BHP Billiton this year posted a 14.7 per cent rise in full-year net profit to $US15.39 billion, its sixth consecutive record annual result. BHP Billiton has refused to set any targets for absolute reduction of its greenhouse emissions. BHP Billiton chairman Don Argus recently called for nuclear power in Australia & warned of “carbon leakage”, in other words the threat that if BHP Billion and similar companies have to pay to pollute, they will take their industries offshore where they can pollute more freely. Rather than using its wealth to help solve the climate crisis it has played such a large role in creating, BHP Billiton is currently leading the grab for resources, oil, gas, gold, & iron ore that lie beneath the melting arctic.

ExxonMobil leads the charge against efforts to reduce global warming pollution worldwide and despite record profits, it still refuses to invest in renewable energy.
ExxonMobil continues to fund think tanks and organizations who are running decade long campaigns denying the consensus of urgency from climate scientists & attacking policies to tackle climate change.

As stated by James Hansen, NASA Climatologist before the US Congress in June this year. “CEO’s of fossil energy companies know what they are doing and are aware of the long-term consequences of continued business as usual. In my opinion, these CEO’s should be tried for high crimes against humanity & nature”.

The Victorian State Government are using tax-payers money to fund a new polluting coal power plant in the Latrobe Valley. If allowed to go ahead this new coal powered station will add 2.4 million tonnes of greenhouse polluting emissions into the atmosphere each year. It will also consume over 3 billion litres of water per year from the Latrobe Valley river system which is already under immense pressure. We need massive cuts to our greenhouse emissions in order to avoid runaway climate change. We’d like to know why the government is investing in more dirty coal power instead of clean energy.

Ben Courtice, event organiser, says:
"Corporations who continue with practices that fuel climate change with all that we know now should be considered equivalent to James Hardie with asbestos. We should ban their polluting products like coal and oil.
"These industries should have their resources taken over to be used for sustainable energy production. They owe us compensation for the time they have been denying and hiding the truth about the consequences of their money-making activities which are doing possibly irreversible damage to the planet. Whether they have technically broken any laws is not the point. If they are tried in the court of public and scientific opinion I am confident they will be found guilty in regard to global warming. I hope this protest can bring them into public scrutiny."

OUR MESSAGE

More renewable energy
No New Tollways, More Public Transport
Green Jobs to build a sustainable future
No Desalination Plant, No Deforestation

Poster image files for printing

2008-08-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

Thankyou and final appeal for donations

2008-08-03T21:40:00.001-07:00

This letter has been sent to supporters of the event on 4/8/2008.

Dear friends,

On behalf of the organising committee for the July 5 "Climate Emergency" rally and human sign event, I am writing to thank you for your support.

We had a successful rally with over 4000 attendees, great speakers, and good coverage on all TV news channels, and even on the news in New Zealand! The human sign benefited from the near-perfect weather and looked great in the photos.

We held a short debrief meeting for the organisers on July 24, at which we viewed a slideshow of photos of the day (available from our website, www.climaterally.blogspot.com), finalised the finances of the day , and discussed future plans for climate change protests and public events. From that meeting, I have two items to inform you of and request further support on.

The relates to our budget. We have paid for printing, PA, aerial photography and public liability insurance out of loans by two members of the organising committee and donations received to date, but after all donations have been received we are still $800 short to repay the two organisers their loans.

We are asking supporting groups to help us make up this amount by either donating some money, or helping us sell photo prints of the rally and sign.

A number of endorsing groups and individuals have made donations to the rally (ranging from $30 to $250), and we collected over $1200 at the rally itself. We would ask you to consider, if you have not already done so, sending a small donation. (It need not be a large amount if everyone chips in – there were over 60 endorsing organisations!).

If you have already made a donation, or are unable to do so, we are selling photo prints from the rally (especially the aerial photographs!). It would be good if you could forward to group members, or anyone you know who might be interested, the information for buying prints. The prices and information follow, and are available from our website, as are the pictures to choose from for printing. Have a look if you haven't done so already!

We have resolved that if any money is left over after all costs are paid, it will be donated to future climate events. On that note, the second item of which to inform you from the debriefing meeting was that we discussed a call to action for a national week of climate protests around the week of the Spring Equinox (beginning September 21). This call is available online and we are holding an initial meeting this Thursday 6:30PM to begin organising in Melbourne.

Again, thank you for your support and we hope you will continue to work together with all of us until climate change is addressed seriously by government and all levels of society!

Ben Courtice

For the climate emergency rally organising committee

* * *

CLIMATE RALLY PHOTOS

To order photo prints of the human sign (or rally), view the images and send an email to rallypics@optusnet.com.au with the number and caption of the photo(s) you want, as well as the size below. Include your contact details so we can arrange payment and delivery.

Price list

	Matte	Gloss
6"x4" (15cmx10cm)	$4	not available
5"x7"(13cm x 18cm)	$5	not available
8"x12" (20cmx30cm)	$10	$10
11"x16" (28cmx40cm)	$15	$15
12"x18" (30cmx45cm)	$20	$20
16"X24" (40cmx60cm)	$25	$25
20"x30" (50cmx75cm)	$30	$30

Volume Discounts available.

We need urgent action on climate change!

2008-08-03T04:45:00.001-07:00

A call for a national week of protest action beginning September 21

Climate change is already occurring, much faster than the world's scientists have predicted. Recent data including the very real possibility of the arctic sea-ice melting by September this year demonstrate that this is a climate emergency.

We are concerned that the Australian government's proposed Emissions Trading Scheme will be full of loopholes and by the government's own admission will allow emissions to continue rising for some years. We believe such incremental measures are unacceptable: We need greenhouse emissions to start to fall immediately and sharply.

To begin to solve the problem we need action on many fronts including:

* No new coal;
* Massive public spending on renewable energy;
* More public transport not new freeways;
* End logging of old growth forests.

We call for a national week of protests across Australia at the Spring Equinox, in the week beginning September 21. This week of action can highlight the summer melt of the Arctic ice and other worrying signs that demand urgent measures to de-carbonise the economy from state and Federal governments.

We ask climate change campaign groups and networks and all environmentally concerned organisations across Australia to work together for a co-ordinated and effective week of public protest around these themes.

Call issued by the organising committee for the July 5 Climate Emergency rally in Melbourne www.climaterally.blogspot.com

Endorsed unanimously by participants at the final session of the August 2 Climate Justice seminar in Melbourne www.climatejusticeseminar.blogspot.com

An initial organising meeting has been called for Thursday August 7, 6:30PM at Ross House 247 Flinders Lane.

Please circulate this message widely.

Order rally photo prints here!

2008-07-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

We have arranged to get high-resolution prints of the photos from the rally which would be suitable for framing. The money we get from sale of these photos will help to cover the outstanding costs of organising the rally (any left over will be donated to similar events in the future).

To order photo prints of the human sign (or rally), view the images and send an email to rallypics@optusnet.com.au with the number and caption of the photo(s) you want, as well as the size below. Include your contact details so we can arrange payment and delivery.

Price list

	Matte	Gloss
6"x4" (15cmx10cm)	$4	not available
5"x7"(13cm x 18cm)	$5	not available
8"x12" (20cmx30cm)	$10	$10
11"x16" (28cmx40cm)	$15	$15
12"x18" (30cmx45cm)	$20	$20
16"X24" (40cmx60cm)	$25	$25
20"x30" (50cmx75cm)	$30	$30

Volume Discounts available.

Photo album online

2008-07-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

You can view a good selection of photos at the Bayside Climate Change Action Group's online album

In particular, the photos by Aerofoto (at least) will be available in large prints as a fundraiser to pay off the last costs for the rally (printing posters and leaflets, sound system hire and aerial photography costs).

We will post here a list of which photos are available and how much they cost as soon as details are finalised.

You can also see a YouTube video of Bob Brown addressing the rally at Peter Campbell's blog and more photos etc at greenlivingpedia.

Rally photos by Jenny McCracken

2008-07-11T00:48:00.001-07:00

Climate Emergency human sign photos

2008-07-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Thankyou and well done

2008-07-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

What a day! Thankyou to everyone who came and everyone who helped. We had more than we needed to make the sign, we had great speakers, we got a good run on the news, and I don't think I met anyone who didn't enjoy themself.

Crowd estimates vary from about 1500 (the police) to 3-5000 (most of the organisers I spoke to). Two people who separately attempted a head count that I spoke to both came up with about 4000. If anyone wants to count from one of the aerial photos let me know what you get!

It was an amazing convergence of different groups and campaigns. People came from as far away as Albury and Sale. Many diverse campaigns were represented and got good profile, without concealing the central message.

We collected over a grand in donations which is great. We still have some more to make up our costs so if anyone wants to donate through the website, Friends of the Earth who are accepting and keeping (tax deductible) donations for us. Click here and then click on the climate emergency rally donations button on their donations page.

We will also upload the photos from the aeroplane and blimp over the next couple of days. If anyone wants to buy a large size print of any of them we will be selling those as well. Watch this site!

Lastly, we will have a slideshow and video footage of the rally and sign on July 24th at Ross House starting at 6PM. We will also have time after the slides for anyone who wants to discuss the next actions for the climate movement to put up their ideas.

Please watch this space for announcements of future events and check out the links to supporting organisations. This movement is going to grow and your input will make a difference!

Ben Courtice
Organising convenor

Rally timetable: don't be late!

2008-07-02T04:43:00.001-07:00

For people just attending the rally, please note the punctual start time (in bold) so that we can move off to assemble in the sign in time! If you are late, the Alexandra Gardens are on the bank of the Yarra just opposite Birrarung Marr and Federation Square, and you can still come down to join in. And don't forget - wear red for emergency!

For volunteers, please see where you are to meet at the other times.

10:00 AM: Human sign co-ordinators to meet at Alexandra Gardens
11:30 AM: organising committee to meet at Burke & Wills statue, corner of Collins & Swanston
12 noon: Human Sign Helpers to attend Alexandra Gardens
12 noon: PA system arrives & begins setup at City Square
12:30 PM: Rally marshalls, donations collectors meet & briefing at City Square by the statue
1:00 PM: Speakers begin
1:30 PM (1:45 latest): Speakers finish & march moves off
2:00 PM: march begins arriving at Alexandra Gardens & forming sign
3:00 PM: sign formed, aerial photography begins
4:00 PM: help pack up if you can! And thanks for coming!

2 Minutes to Midnight at Flinders St Station

2008-06-28T03:00:00.001-07:00

Join climate emergency rally organisers this Wednesday July 2, 7-9am at
Flinders St Station.

We will display our large banner with the 2-minutes-to-midnight
globe/clock (as seen on the rally poster) under the station clocks, and
will leaflet the morning commuters for the rally.

This will also be a photo opportunity for media prior to the rally, so
please come if you can to swell the numbers. Dress appropriately (red if
you can).

Genetics campaigners support rally

2008-06-23T04:32:00.000-07:00

It might not be the most obvious connection to most people, but campaigners against genetically modified crops are also part of the movement against climate change. As Gene Ethics put it in a letter to the organisers of the climate emergency rally:

"Genetically Manipulated (GM) crops are not a safe or sustainable solution to the problems of global climate change and drought. GM crops make our farms even more dependent on declining oil resources that create greenhouse gases. Chemical-free and GM-free organic farming systems will feed, clothe and house everyone."

We are happy to be supported by Gene Ethics and MADGE (Mothers Against Genetic Engineering).

Posters and leaflets to download

2008-06-15T05:16:00.000-07:00

If you want to print the poster yourself to put it up you can download it here. These versions are updated to include latest endorsements and so on. Just click on these links.

Colour poster for copying

Black and white poster for copying

Colour poster for printing & copying

2008-06-15T05:14:00.000-07:00

Black & white poster for copying

2008-06-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

Your Water Your Say faces court costs

2008-06-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Your Water Your Say have had costs awarded against them after their Federal Court case. The group stated prior to the hearing that if costs were awarded "it is likely that the community action group YWYS will be wound up. This will leave the local community without an official organization to voice their concerns and opposition to the desalination project." As YWYS President Andrea Bolch puts it, "This action should send a shiver down the spine of every community group who dares to question a Governments decision."

People opposed to the desalination plant are encouraged to take action. You can:

Come to the Climate Emergency Rally!
Show your support at the community assembly (see picture for details). There will be a BBQ at 3pm every second Sunday from June 15 (BYO food)

Write emails/letters to the media and to your local Member of Parliament.
Phone the radio programs in Melbourne and Regionally to show your support for the
campaign.

Tell them clearly how outrageous it is that State and Federal Governments believe it is fair and equitable to bankrupt community groups that dare to challenge their decisions. Tell them it is a misuse of their power that they endeavour to shut down debate and silence a community that will not accept having an environmentally destructive project the size of the MCG dumped on them without consultation.

Public forum: Speeding towards dangerous climate change

2008-06-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

Public forum: 15 June 2008

Hear what the world’s leading climate scientists are discovering about the speed of climate change, the potential impacts on our way of life, and what we need to do to safeguard our future.

Sir Rod Eddington has recommended we spend $18 billion on transport infrastructure, but says this will have ‘minimal’ impact on transport emission trends. Meanwhile transport emissions are forecast to grow by more than 60% over 1999 levels by 2020. Can we do better?
Government ministers claim freeways offer environmental benefits and getting more ‘clean’ cars on the road is the solution, but are they effective?

Guest speakers include:

David Spratt
David Spratt is a climate-policy analyst and co-founder of Carbon Equity. Together with Philip Sutton, David co-authored Climate Code Red which meticulously documents extensive scientific evidence that the global warming crisis is far worse than official reports and national governments have indicated — and that we’re almost at the point of no return.

Dr Patrick Moriarty
Paddy Moriarty is an Honorary Research Associate at Monash University undertaking research in areas such as urban land use and transport and alternative energy. Paddy is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Australasian Centre for the Governance and Management of Urban Transport (GAMUT) at the University of Melbourne and has published extensively on alternative fuels, energy efficiency and transport systems.

Elliot Fishman
Elliot Fishman is a policy advisor with the Cycling Promotion Fund and Director of the Institute for Sensible Transport. Elliot has recently co-authored a report on the health benefits of cycling and what governments need to do to encourage more people to ride instead of drive.

When: Sunday 15 June 2008, 2.30pm - 5pm
Where: Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall, cnr Swanston & Collins Streets, Melbourne
RSVP:

Next organising meeting: 7pm, May 29

2008-05-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

The next organising meeting will be held 7pm this Thursday May 29 at the 60L building -- 60 Leicester St Carlton. Leicester St runs off Victoria St near Vic Markets at the corner of Elizabeth St, and 60L is one block up (nearly on the corner of Queensberry St).

In the last week a large number of groups have endorsed the event (see list below). We hope as many as possible can come to the meeting on the 29th. We have confirmed our booking of Alexandra Gardens for the human sign, and a broad representative meeting will make it easy to reach final consensus on speakers, publicity, budget and all the other details that make up a sucessful event.

We hope to see you there!

Ben Courtice
convenor

What a human sign looks like

2008-05-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

This was the April 22 2007 sign at Sandringham Beach that the Bayside Climate Change Action Group organised, with 2-3000 people in attendance. Their online photo album of the event can be viewed here.

Other groups have also organised their own human sign messages including Your Water Your Say and the Anvil Hill Alliance in NSW .

Voices from Bangladesh Speaking Tour in Melbourne this Friday

2008-05-21T01:05:00.000-07:00

The people and ecosystems of Bangladesh face many of the most devastating consequences of climate change and sea level rise – at the same time as international financial institutions continue to finance projects such as the Phulbari Coal project that directly contribute to climate change and threaten developing communities. This national speaking tour aims to raise awareness of the unequal impacts of climate change and to voice the urgent need for Australia to support development projects that are socially and environmentally just, rather than destructive.
The people and ecosystems of Bangladesh face many of the most devastating consequences of climate change and sea level rise – at the same time as international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank continue to finance projects such as the Phulbari Coal project that directly contribute to climate change and threaten the environmental health human rights of developing communities.

This national speaking tour aims to raise awareness of the unequal impacts of climate change and to voice the urgent need for Australia to support development projects that are socially and environmentally just, rather than destructive.

Speaker:
• Prof Anu Muhammad is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka and has been integral in leading the civil society campaign against the Phulbari mine.

International development projects financed through institutions like the ADB can, and have played a significant role in exacerbating climate change and locking Majority World countries into unsustainable, fossil-fuel intensive paths of development. Urgent action is required to direct development efforts away from projects such as the Phulbari Coal project that have potentially devastating social and environmental impacts, and offer no real benefit to affected communities.

The Phulbari Coal Project is currently under consideration for funding by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), yet would require the forced relocation of between 50,000-150,000 people and further affect between 100,000 and 2 million people through increased regional pollution and dewatering of the Barind tract. The mine's current owners, Asia Energy, have already generated controversy after five protestors were killed and 200 injured when authorities opened fire on 50,000 demonstrators opposing the mine in August 2006.

The tour will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Katoomba and the Hunter Valley.

The tour is hosted by AidWatch, and supported by Friends of the Earth, Australian Ethical, the Mineral Policy Institute, Oxfam Australia and Rising Tide.

MELBOURNE EVENT:
Public meeting: friday May 23, 6.30 - 8.30pm,
Northcote High School. St Georges Road, Northcote, 3070 (just north of Merri creek). Take tram line 112 towards West Preston, stop 27 (full details on tram timetables)
For details on Melbourne event, please contact Cam Walker: cam.walker@foe.org.au

Camp for Climate Action Victorian events

2008-05-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

The Camp for Climate Action will be a convergence of people from all over Australia who are determined to see real action on climate change. Despite being in a good position to switch to renewables, Australia is failing to move away from coal. Coal exports are our biggest contribution to climate change, and Newcastle, already the world's biggest coal port, is set for a massive expansion. The camp will be sending the message that we need a just transition from coal to clean energy – not an expansion of the coal industry.

The five day camp will be a peaceful, participatory and sustainable event, where people are invited to share, learn, plan and take action. As one of seven simultaneous climate camps happening in Europe and North America, it will be an inspiring gathering of people of all ages and from all walks of life coming together to take direct action for a living future.

What: five days of popular education, skillsharing and direct action
Where: Newcastle
When: July 10^th –15^th 2008
Who: You, your friends and family
For more info: www.climatecamp.org.au

Organising Meeting

When: Monday May 19^th at 5.30pm

Where: Melbourne University Student Union

Why: To facilitate the organization of the Camp for Climate Action, with a focus on Victorian logistics.

Fundraising Event

It's Getting Hot In Here: SOS + Climate Camp Fundraiser

Friday 23rd MAY
289 Lygon St, East Brunswick
Tram 1 or 8, Stop 123

$5 entry for the rich
gold coin for the poor

Music, Dancing and Delicious Home Brew from 8pm

www.studentsofsustainability.org
www.climatecamp.org.au

Peaceful Direct Action Workshop

The camp for climate action will be five days of inspiring workshops & direct action aimed at shutting down the world's largest coal port in Newcastle, just north of Sydney. If you're concerned about climate change, and want real action instead of more hot air, then we encourage you to come, bring your friends and family and get involved. Whether you're old or young, a seasoned protestor or if you've never been to a protest in your life, if you share our passion for climate action, then climate camp and this (free) workshop, is for you!

When: Saturday May 31^st 10am – 4pm
Where: RMIT Swanston St entrance
Building 8, Level 4, Multifunction Room Melway Ref: 2F, E1

www.climatecamp.org.au

This workshop will cover;

In the morning …

What to expect at the Camp for Climate Action
How to partake in peaceful direct action safely and with the support of those around you
How to define clear objectives for an action and to ensure that actions meet your objectives

In the afternoon …

Role play of peaceful direct action scenario's
Legal briefings on NSW laws and impacts of getting arrested (remember there are many non-arrestable ways to be part of peaceful direct action)
Media and interview skills
Police liaison skills and conflict de-escalation skills
Forming action groups and discussing potential actions before heading up to Climate Camp
Creating peaceful direct actions here in Victoria in the lead up

Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move easily in.
For more information or to RSVP contact vicclimateaction@gmail.com

REGISTRATION – let us know your coming …

http://www.climatecamp.org.au/let-us-know-youre-coming

You are encouraged to take part in the camp as part of an organised community, for increased autonomy and safety for all of us and efficiency for the organisers. To find out more about how the camp is organised before you register, see the Neighbourhoods and Action Teams pages and contact us if you need to.

Suggested Donation NOTE: Donation is not required for participation or registration. The most important donation you can make to Climate Camp is your time and involvement. However, Climate Camp will cost a lot to organise and put-on. While we've done our best to keep our budget low, many costs are unavoidable. If all of us who're coming* contribute a little toward the cost of the infrastructure we'll be using for the week, it will add up to a sizable contribution towards our collective expenses. The money will cover things we'll all need and use at the camp like composting toilets, kitchens, marquees and water tanks. * $20 (underpaid) * $40 (waged) * $50+ (if you can afford it) *Alternatively you could ask some-one who isn't able to make it to donate their dollars instead of their time.

Transport Registration

The Victorian Camp for Climate Action collective have organised two 12 seater buses to assist people to attend the Camp for Climate Action. These buses will be leaving the first weekend of July to arrive in Newcastle in time for the Students of Sustainability conference (see www.studentsofsustainability.org) A seat will cost $100 return (half the price of the train) and can be reserved by emailing viclimateaction@gmail.com

Climate Emergency Network General Meeting

2008-05-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 25: 11.45am to 5 pm (incl. lunch break)
Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St Abbotsford. Melways 44 G5

The Climate Emergency Network (CEN) is a not-for-profit, non-politically-aligned network of community organisations that are campaigning for all governments to recognise and declare a state of climate and sustainability emergency in order to ensure we have a safe climate future for all people, all species, and all generations.

The network aims to bring together the many Climate Action Groups and community organisations across the nation to work strategically together towards this goal.

The network has been established only 3 months and has over 70 members in Victoria, representing many existing Climate Action Groups. We welcome new people and groups to join the network.

The Climate Emergency Network Charter is attached.

Please come along to meet with members of the Network.
• Hear how the work of the Network is developing and become involved in jobs and projects needing workers!
• View the latest version of the Climate Code Red slide show.
• Learn how to train as a presenter of the slide show and Climate Code Red emergency message.
• Hear how your Climate Action Group can become involved in a project to meet with your Local Community Leaders.
• Hear about plans to meet and discuss the Climate Emergency message with key policy makers and influential members of our society.
(A detailed agenda will be circulated closer to the date)

Feeling creative??? The network is seeking ideas for a logo. We invite everyone to bring along their suggestions on the day. We will decide on a basic concept or logo with the option to pass them onto a graphic designer for development

We would appreciate a donation to contribute to room hire expenses.

Lunch:
We will have a late lunch break about 1.30pm to 2pm. Food is available at the Convent Cafes or BYO.

Getting there... by public transport:
Via Train: Victoria Park on the Epping/Hurstbridge line is the closest railway station. Buses 200, 201, 205 and 207 run along Johnson Street.
Via Bus: Catch the Garden City/Bulleen Bus 203 from the city in Lonsdale St, this will run along Johnson St. Get off at Clarke Street Bus Stop. (Make sure you are going in the Kew Junction direction). Turn left from Clarke Street into St. Heliers and follow the sign to The Collingwood Children’s Farm. The entrance gates of the Convent are on the right before you reach the Farm.
Getting there... by bike or foot: The Capital City cycling and walking path passes the site.
Getting there... by car: Enter Clarke St from Johnson St, then left into St. Heliers Street. All day parking is available on the north side of St Heliers Street and costs $4.00(coins only). There is also 15 minute parking on the street. There is no vehicular access to the Convent site.

To RSVP or for more information contact: climatecodered@yahoo.com

COMMUNITY DAY PROTEST AGAINST THE TUNNEL AND TRAVANCORE DEVELOPMENT

2008-05-14T03:33:00.000-07:00

May 25, 1pm, Debney Park, Mt Alexander Rd, Flemington

Protest over proposed developments that will massively clog the roads around Flemington, West Parkville, Nth Melbourne, Ascot Vale and Kensington.

A. The East-West Tunnel will have a major interchange at Flemington and Racecourse Rds, a West Parkville Flyover and staging point for construction, take part of Royal Park, and consume part of Holland Park in Kensington also as a staging point for the construction. Vent stacks to be situated along the route of the tunnel.

B. The Travancore 22 Story Office Apartment development and 1000 vehicle carpark will cause even greater traffic congestion in and around the southern part of Mt Alexander Rd and also consume 2000 sq meters of Debney Park.

Taken together with the failure to make major improvements in public transport they will lead to an urban nightmare for the residents of 5 Melbourne suburbs.

Themes-
- Say no to John Brumby and the big end of town's urban nightmare
and PPPs
- Oppose more loss of public parklands
- Demand real solutions to our traffic and public transport problems
- Real Action on Global Warming

Rod Quantock to compere.
Main organizing groups: Mt Alexander Rd Campaign Group and Royal Park Protection Group Inc.
For further information contact Gab Pretto, 93763060

Voices from Bangladesh: Climate Change and Development Speaking Tour

2008-05-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. A 1m sea level rise is expected to flood 25 - 50% of the country, with much of the south already experiencing water-logging and salinity problems.

Despite this, the Asian Development Bank is considering funding what will be one of the largest coal mines on earth in Northern Bangladesh. Expected to affect nearly half a million people and result in widespread environmental destruction, the Phulbari coal mine has been vigorously opposed by people's groups within Bangladesh and NGOs from around the world.

Professor Anu Muhammad, who teaches economics and has been involved in protests against the Phulbari mine, will be in Melbourne on May 23rd. Join us to hear about the impact of climate change in Bangladesh and their struggles to prevent the ADB funding destructive, climate-intensive development projects.

23rd May, 6.30 pm Northcote High School, St George's Road, Northcote.

More information about the event at the FOE website and Aid Watch (there's a poster on their site too).

Community Assembly begins at desalination plant

2008-05-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

9 May 2008

Community Assembly activates in defiance of Government desalination plans

Tomorrow Saturday 10th May, Your Water Your Say will activate its Community Assembly to demonstrate the community’s determination to stop works at the Wonthaggi desalination pilot plant.

Various pieces of equipment have moved onto the site already and it is expected that Korumburra contractor ANCON will try to move horizontal drilling equipment onto the desalination site within days.

YWYS Spokesperson, Nia Emmanouil says “local community members have been forced to voice their opposition to the Government’s flawed water policy through peaceful community protest. Who else will ensure that a legacy of destruction is not inflicted on local terrestrial and marine
environments?”

The desalination project will contribute up to 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere every year; that is incongruous with efforts to reverse the reality that is climate change. There ARE environmentally sustainable and cheaper alternatives.

Ms Emmanouil says “The Brumby Government has forced through this water factory without any consultation with the Bass Coast community. The project has been surrounded by secrecy and requests for information have been ignored. As confirmed by the Auditor General, Government continues to flaunt a blatant disregard for due process and genuine community engagement, and it refuses to release the true cost of the project or the true ramifications of the project.”

Compelling evidence suggests there are more environmentally, socially and economically responsible options for securing Victoria’s water security. A study commissioned by Your Water Your Say clearly demonstrates that a water factory is not needed - see ‘Supply and Demand Analysis – Melbourne’s Water’. The Government has been unable to refute this analysis but it continues to push through this multi-billion dollar project that will drive water costs up to 5 times.

Whilst Bass Coast residents will endeavor to hold construction of the pilot plant at bay, the community assembly site will become a focal point for workshops, events and festivities that aim to maintain resilience within the community.

YWYS demands that the Brumby Government stop construction of all infrastructure to support the desalination pilot plant and revise the scope of the EES to include the pilot plant. For the EES to be effective the four month time line must be extended. This is an unprecedented short time for an EES even though this is the biggest infrastructure in the history of Victoria.

YWYS will keep a 24-hour vigil at the site and continue to demand that the Government be accountable for the decisions it makes.

Community Assembly Launch:
When: 12-12.30pm Saturday 10th May 2008

Where: Lower Powlett Road, Wonthaggi - off the Bass Highway, Wonthaggi.
(road is opposite the Toyota dealership on the Melbourne entry side to
Wonthaggi)

For more information contact:

Nia Emmanouil
Steering Committee
Contact: 0401 204 342

Andrea Bolch
President
Contact: 0400 065 253

Chris Heislers
Steering Committee
Contact: 0419 556 381

John Wright
Vice President
Contact: 5678 7083

Further details on the YWYS website

Mothers Unite to Clean Up Our Climate!

2008-05-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

MOTHER'S DAY 2008
12:15-12.45pm Sunday 11 May 2008, Federation Square
(immediately following the Mother's Day Classic)

This year, tell our leaders what you really want..(besides chocolate & breakfast in bed!)

For today's and tomorrow's children to enjoy the same safe climate that we all grew up in

You don't need to be a mother to join us, it's enough to have had one. So gather your mother, other people's mothers, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and join us for a big group photograph to tell our leaders to

"Clean up our climate - for our young people's sake!"

For greater effect bring along a photo of a young person to hold up.

Brigitte Duclos, co-host of Mix 101.1FM's breakfast radio program, Two Women & A Metro, will host and keynote speakers will join us to voice their concerns about the impacts of climate change on future generations.

Proudly supported by The Victorian Women's Trust, Environment Victoria, Federation Square, Greenpeace and Sids and Kids Victoria

Call to Action: Climate Emergency Rally July 5

2008-05-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are calling for Victorians to join the Climate Emergency Rally on July 5. We want to send a wake-up call to state and federal governments that they are heading in the wrong direction. New coal, new freeways and desalination plants increase our use of and reliance on fossil fuels dramatically at a time when we must be cutting our use even more dramatically. We are calling on governments to implement sustainable alternatives to these irresponsible and expensive projects.

We call on all community groups and individuals to join us to send this important message to the government. We are going to form a 140-metre-long human sign to spell the words "Climate Emergency". Please organise your group to send endorsement, tell everyone you know, and come on the day wearing something red to symbolise emergency.