Climate Change Australia

Hastings Branch in New South Wales - Campaigning for a Safe Climate and Energy Security for all.

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News July 2016

A Message From Our President:
The recent election was the most successful our group has participated in (and we’ve been part of the election scene on the mid north coast since 2007!) Here’s what we got up to: doorknocking, letter-boxing, two ‘Pollution-Free-Politics’ rallies (in Port and Coffs), an action at the National MP’s office on Gordon Street, attendance at three forums, media stories, and a new website and video – see www.votesafeclimate.org.au  
  
The politics of tackling climate change is as complex as it is urgent. As the new government considers our nation’s future, the most urgent task is a complete overhaul of climate and energy polices. Not only would better policies be good for saving life on the planet and securing a safe climate for us to live under, they would create new jobs in clean energy, modernise the economy, help fix the budget deficit and be very popular with voters - 76% of swinging voters are either ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ concerned about climate change.  Seems like a ‘no brainer’, but will they do it? We must remain active - activism is the rent we must pay for living on Mother Earth.
 
Harry Creamer
CCA-H President
 
        
Jenny Clive - one of many CCA                           We were at the various 'Meet the Candidates' Forums.
volunteers who letterboxed during                   
the recent election.
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Solar Citizens Campaign - tell the PM we want 100% clean power by 2030: 
After a gruelling count, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declared victory for the Liberal-National Coalition. In his victory speech, PM Turnbull said that it was vital that all sides of politics work together to meet the great challenges Australia faces, including "a successful transition from an economy fuelled by the mining-construction boom to one that is more diverse."  We couldn't agree more - Australia needs a bipartisan plan for transition to 100% renewables.  
Watch this video and share on Facebook and Twitter now to show Prime Minister Turnbull that Australians want him to walk the walk, not just talk the talk on a solar and renewable-powered future. There's no time to lose - tell the PM to get on with it - we want 100% clean power by 2030. 
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Getup campaign - Send Big Coal a message and switch to better power: 
Australia’s dirtiest energy providers listen to money.  If you want to send them a message to change their ways, start by taking your business to a cleaner energy company.  Read more at Getup’s campaign: https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/renewable-energy/better-power-now/switch-to-better-power-today  
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National Tree Day: 
10am to 12 noon on July 31 - a free community event where 2,000 native seedlings will be planted in Widderson Street Reserve, Port Macquarie.  Port Macquarie Landcare Group invites residents to join in and stay for a barbecue lunch. Plants and tools will be provided so just bring yourself and a pair of gloves.   
 
Volunteers planting trees at last year's National Tree day.
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350.org invitation - tour the Hunter 'Behind the Greenwash':  
350.org are starting a campaign for a fossil free AGL. To kick off the campaign, they’re going on a one day field trip of the lower Hunter Valley to take a look behind AGL's greenwash.  The tour will visit AGL's Hunter power stations – Bayswater and Liddell – guided by local retired coal miner Peter Kennedy. Numbers are limited and registration is essential. 
 
Date: Sunday 31 July 
Newcastle departure time: pick up from Hunter Community Environment Centre at 9am, or meet at John Renshaw drive rest stop at 9.30am.    
Return time:  expect to return to the rest stop by 5pm, Hunter Community Environment Centre by 5.30pm 
Cost: a donation of $40 waged and $20 unwaged, from those who can afford it, to help cover the cost of food and transport 
Register here to secure your seat on the bus. After registration 350.org will be in touch with further details about the trip.  There will be another train trip through the Hunter on 28th August, but again will have limited spaces. 
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Pollution Free Politics campaign: 
350.org reports that this campaign is working well. Some companies are scared of the public backlash from buying influence and over 40 parliamentarians and candidates signed on to banning fossil fuel donations and subsidies. During the election, an impressive action was staged on Sydney Harbour to deliver a message to the PM’s harbour-side home. 
Click here to watch and share this video about this month’s inspiring action 
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Almost 1 in 5 Australian councils have set a 100% renewable energy target: 
Communities and councils are filling the void left by the federal government on ambitious climate action. Many are frustrated by the government’s lack of progress on climate change and instead are getting on with the job themselves.  A survey conducted by Beyond Zero Emissions of 152 councils across Australia shows that almost one in five of the councils surveyed have set their own zero emissions or 100% renewable energy targets. Read more at The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jun/28/climate-change-communities-and-councils-fill-void-on-zero-emissions-targets  
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Australia wind energy industry turns a corner:
The large scale renewable energy market in Australia appears to have taken off again, finally bringing to an end the three year investment drought that was the main legacy to the industry of the Abbott government. The 100MW stage one of the Hornsdale wind farm in South Australia was switched on for the first time last week.  Read more at RenewEconomy: http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/australia-wind-energy-industry-turns-corner-thanks-states-77243
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Forests of the sea in Western Australia slashed by marine heatwave: 
Great swathes of the temperate kelp forests on Western Australia's reefs are gone.  The ocean off Western Australia is warming twice as fast as the global average and since 2000, nearly 1000 square kilometres of kelp forest have been lost from the area.  These "forests of the sea" underpin tourism and fisheries worth $10 billion per year, and the demise of these remarkable "forests of the sea" is likely permanent, researchers say in a study published last week.  Read more at the ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-08/kelp-forests-of-the-sea-in-wa-slashed-by-marine-heatwave/7577934  
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Farm Gate: 
Two members of CCA, John Squires & Elizabeth Raine, were recently part of a very successful local Farm Gate weekend, organised by Hastings Landcare. Over the June long weekend, ten local farms were open to the public, as people came from near and far to explore life on the land.  "Shenstone", the property of Elizabeth and John, was open for two days, and a total of 350 people toured the property, billed as "an urban farm right in the middle of town". The focus was on living a sustainable lifestyle, through judicious use of recycling, and the planting of fruit trees and vegetables throughout the gardens of the property.  
Some of the visitors to Shenstone during Farm gate.
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Australia to break through 5GW rooftop solar mark in July:
The amount of rooftop solar installed across Australia is expected to break through the 5GW mark in July, reaching a remarkable milestone in a sector that was virtually non-existent in 2009.  New data released by solar statistician and consultancy Sunwiz shows that 64MW of rooftop solar was added across the country in the month of June, taking the national cumulative total to 4.964GW. At current rates of installation, the 5GW threshold should be broken this month. Read more at RenewEconomy: http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/australia-break-5gw-rooftop-solar-mark-july-16858  
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