News - December 2017
A message from the President:
What a busy and successful year CCA has had. We’ve been involved in several front-line campaigns aligned with our charter to raise awareness about climate change issues and impacts, to promote the increased use of renewable energy and to encourage all levels of government to take urgent action on climate change. From supporting Steve Posselt’s kayaking journey along the east coast of Australia collecting signatures for the Climate Emergency Declaration in January, to all the many Stop Adani actions we held (numerous rallies, a concert, a summit, the Human Sign etc.) … and in between we’ve made submissions, we’ve had letter-writing campaigns, we lobbied Council to divest from fossil-fuel investments, we hosted several film nights, we sponsored 2 panels in Energy Forever’s project, we held several Networking evenings with various guest speakers … and so on …
So, thank you to all of you for your membership & support of CCA, your involvement & your commitment to our cause. The CCA Committee wish you all a safe and happy festive season and we look forward to seeing you again in 2018.
Kerri-ann Jones
CCA President
___________________________________________________________________________________
Qld Election Call Centre:
In November, CCA participated in GetUp’s mass phone calling party to voters in key marginal Qld seats to make sure electors knew where the parties stood on Adani. We played a small but important role among the thousands of phone conversations that took place along the eastern seaboard.
Some of the CCA members who hit the phones.
_________________________________________________________________________
‘Chasing Coral’ film night:
In a joint CCA/Coastal Warriors event we held a very successful film screening of ‘Chasing Coral.’ The film documented the impact of climate change on coral reefs, which are disappearing around the world at an unprecedented rate. The evening was a sell-out and all takings from the event were donated to the Energy Forever project: this was enough to buy 2 solar panels plus $100 towards a third panel.
Just a few of the crowd waiting to go in to the film ...
___________________________________________________________________________________
ACF Campaign: send your Federal MP a Christmas card:
In the recent Queensland election, Adani was a huge issue. Now the pressure is on federal Members of Parliament to lift their game and oppose the mine. It’s time to tell your elected representative that all you want for Christmas is to stop Adani! You can send your MP a personal note and a link to the Christmas card right now: https://www.acf.org.au/send_your_mp_a_card?utm_campaign=1711_adaniupd1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=auscon
___________________________________________________________________________________
Stop Adani Front-line Action in November:
Last month, CCA Committee member Lauren Edwards was part of a frontline StopAdani action in Queensland. Here is her report of the action:
The vibe on the Mystery Bus heading to, who knew just where, in Central QLD, was serious but joyous as all aboard were determined to turn despair about this new Mega Coal Mine into preventative action on the frontline. We arrived at camp on the evening of our second long day’s drive and scurried around setting up tents in the dark and soon enough discovered our surroundings, along with where a better place for the tent might be, as the sun with all its warmth greeted us with early intensity. The camp meeting for introductions and plan making got underway early and we developed many ideas for actions in the week ahead. What followed were many 1:30am starts, long drives and chocolate covered coffee beans shared out in an effort to keep us all firing on as many cylinders as possible. Actions involved attempts to block the gate, to lock onto the gate, to halt machinery works and even turning up at political events to make sure the Stop Adani message was heard loud and clearly in the lead up to the QLD State Election.
Highlights from the week include the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) action where religious leaders blocked the gate until they were arrested, and gate crashing a meet the candidates’ forum in Townsville. You can read more about these actions at: http://www.frontlineaction.org/people_of_faith_blockade_work_on_adani_rail_line
and: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/state/2017/11/22/adani-protestors-storm-qld-leaders-debate.html
Thanks to all at CCA for the support in seeing us represented on the front-lines.
Lauren Edwards
Lauren, 2nd from right, wearing her CCA T-shirt.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Stop Adani - the Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners:
The Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners of the land impacted by the proposed Adani Carmichel mine are asking for our support to lobby the new QLD government. Let them know that the Wangan and Jagalingou have not given consent and they should remove Queensland’s signature from Adani’s contested Indigenous Land Use Agreement. Further they should rule out extinguishing Native Title to allow Adani to proceed, and end Adani’s special treatment, which will result in the destruction of Wangan and Jagalingou country and heritage.
Contact Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad by email:
The Premier - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Deputy Premier - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
And please cc the Wangan and Jagalingou at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Land clearing in NSW:
The Nature Conservation Council is running a legal case against the NSW government over its destructive land-clearing legislation. The new laws have weakened protection for forests, woodlands and wildlife across NSW and have made it easier for agribusiness and developers to clear natural habitat. Land clearing is a significant contributor to climate change, and with more than 1000 plant and animal species at risk of extinction in NSW, this is disastrous for our wildlife. NCC is asking for donations to run this legal case. For more information go to -
___________________________________________________________________________________
In hot water - the impacts of climate change on marine fisheries and biodiversity:
This month the Senate’s Environment and Communications References Committee released its report on the current and future impacts of climate change on marine fisheries and biodiversity. You can read the report, including the 14 recommendations, here: http://apo.org.au/system/files/122151/apo-nid122151-496451.pdf
___________________________________________________________________________________
CCA end-of-year party:
In the midst of all the serious work we do, it's important to remember to celebrate our successes and take some time out to enjoy ourselves - which we did at our annual end-of-year party this month:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Farmers for Climate Action:
Farmers for Climate Action is a movement driven by farmers, calling for immediate action on climate change. They advocate for immediate action on climate change at local, state and federal levels and call on a rapid transformation of Australia's energy system away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. Some of you will recall Josh Gilbert who spoke at a networking evening last year - Josh is on the Board of Farmers for Climate Action. To read more about this group, you can go to their website: http://www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au/
_____________________________________________________________________
Harry’s Musings:
First the good news, some of which you’ve played a part in creating. As members of CCA Hastings you’ve supported all the Stop Adani events we held this year. The return of the Queensland Labor Government has delivered a trifecta of good news - the end of the Adani loan, rejection of a new coal-fired power station proposed by the LNP and One Nation, and sticking with 50% renewable energy by 2030. The news that three big Chinese banks will not fund Adani came as welcome news but there’s still more to do so we are not signing off on our Stop Adani campaign yet.
Back in NSW we do have some good news - AGL will close Liddell coal power station in 2022. They will replace the 1680 megawatts with a mix of renewables, battery storage, high-efficiency gas peakers, and an efficiency upgrade at Bayswater. This is cheaper than extending the old, polluting plant, providing power at $83/MWh. Extending Liddell would produce power costing $106/MWh.
But I’m not sure we will ever be able to feel cocky about winning on climate change. As the world warms, we must get used to hotter days and warmer nights. Summer is approaching and we know what that brings. Since 2012-13 every Australian summer has been hotter than the long-term average.
In 2013, the Bureau added two more colours to their temperature charts – black and purple, for temps beyond 50°C. In 2009 they added a category for bush fires – catastrophic. Heat stress costs the economy $7 billion a year. Climate scientists calculate that extreme weather events are 175 times more likely because of human-induced climate change.
That’s why we do what we do, and our numbers are growing. Wishing you the very best for Christmas and the New Year, stay cooool, and see you in 2018.
Harry Creamer