Welcome to the August edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

New Climate Emergency Plan for Darebin!

DCAN congratulates Darebin Council on the unanimous adoption of the new Climate Emergency Plan. DCAN took an active part in the community consultations and provided detailed feedback on draft versions of the plan. While it is disappointing that our request for stronger emission reduction targets was not agreed to, we are pleased to see some of the key points we advocated for included in the plan. We are very excited about the setting up of a new 'concierge' service which will offer tailored household support to help residents find their way in switching from gas to electricity and renewable energy. We are also very pleased to see the expansion of the Solar Savers Scheme and new community education programs on electrification and energy efficiency. We look forward to working with Council to help implement the plan. View the new plan and learn more here.

Commbank walks away from climate wrecking clients

Australia’s largest bank, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, made a huge announcement last week, declaring it has made the decision to no longer provide finance to oil and gas producing companies that don’t have a Paris-aligned transition plan.

This is a significant win for our climate, and starkly contrasts with ANZ, NAB and Westpac, which are gearing up to loan hundreds of millions more to one of Australia’s most notorious climate wreckers. According to Market Forces, ANZ, NAB and Westpac are days away from finalising a $750 million loan to Santos.

Click here to tell ANZ, NAB and Westpac to cut ties with Santos.

On Wednesday 21 August at 12pm, a community rally will be held outside the head offices of ANZ, NAB and Westpac in Melbourne to pressure the banks to ditch this loan to Santos. As much support as possible is needed to ensure the message gets through to the banks. For more information and to register for the rally click here.

More confrontational messaging needed for the climate crisis

In a recent article, eminent climate activists David Spratt and Ian Dunlop refer to polling in 26 countries which shows that only 60% of Australians now believe that climate change is human-caused (down 6% from 18 months earlier and 13% below the global average). Only half of Australians thought that the costs of climate disruption will be greater than the investments needed for transition to a sustainable society.

Spratt and Dunlop attribute this to the “softly, softly” approach by the Albanese government which focuses on renewable energy and avoids talking about “doom and gloom” climate impacts. They note the lack of climate leadership by the government and its 'capture' by the fossil fuel industry, reflected in the recent approval of numerous new fossil fuel projects.

Spratt and Dunlop argue that people need to be told the truth - that climate change impacts will be existential - and note that this approach has worked in Quit Smoking campaigns, the Grim Reaper AIDS advertising, and the brutal honest communications about Covid.

A great resource for this sort of emergency messaging is the booklet by Jane Morton Don't Mention the Emergency, which frames the problems and gives very helpful tips on communication. Another useful resource is DCAN's list of suggestions for taking action.

Writing to decision makers matters

There are so many topics, and so many politicians, that writing to them sometimes seems too much for an ordinary busy person. Fortunately, the team at Climate for Change has made it pretty easy to write letters on many topics.
They have recently added the topic of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), or more accurately Carbon Pollution Dumping (CPD).
Carbon Pollution Dumping is central to the Government’s Future Gas Strategy. It is also detrimental to the environment, expensive and reliant on government subsidies. Investing in CPD only delays our transition to renewable energy. Nevertheless, in the 2024 budget the government allocated $36.2m over four years to “enable industry to move carbon dioxide to geological storage sites.”
All these facts, as well as how to write a letter on 25 topics, and who to, are here.

Launch of Hot Planet Matchmaking Service

Have you or your friends been thinking about getting more involved with climate and environmental action in our local community? Here is a fun way to find out what's on offer. Our good friends over at Neighbours United for Climate Action (NUCA) have come up with a very creative way of matching people with the local climate, sustainability or biodiversity group that suits them best. Please come along and bring your friends to the celebratory launch of the Hot Planet Matchmaking Service to learn more about what each group, including DCAN, is doing in the local community and get involved!

WHEN: Mon 2nd Sept 2024, 6:00 pm - 8:00pm
WHERE: Leinster Grove Community Hall, 99 Leinster Grove, Thornbury
RSVP here.

Five years of Chalking, Talking and Picking Up Litter

For five years, weather permitting, at 10 a.m. on Thursdays, a small group of DCANers have been meeting on the St Georges Road Bike Path somewhere between Miller Street and Merri Parade. We remind everyone that the climate emergency is ongoing and an increasing threat. We get lots of positive responses and support from the people of Northcote and Thornbury. And then we go for a chat and a coffee at a local cafe.
Over the years different folk have joined us and this nice little local action will continue to welcome all newcomers for a long time to come. Please contact Linda if you would like to join us. Cheers, Linda and Lesley

Hoddle Street Climate Mural

Yarra Climate Action Now has teamed up with a group of climate activists to create this spectacular mural on the corner of Hoddle and Perry Streets, Collingwood, just south of Johnston Street. The activist group have become experts in applying for council grants and working with numerous artists, including John Lawry who has painted many stunning murals around town. The mural can even be seen from the nearby passing trains! DCAN members are part of the maintenance crew.
If you have a wall which might be suitable for a future project, please get in touch.