Welcome to the August edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

Call on Albo to announce strong emissions targets!

The Government is due to set national climate targets within a few weeks. DCAN is campaigning for net zero carbon emissions by 2035 and a separate target for drawing down carbon pollution from the atmosphere, now essential if we are to achieve a safer climate future. We are also calling for detailed plans across all sectors for reducing carbon pollution.

A strong target together with detailed plans will help protect us from worsening climate disasters, unlock economic opportunities in clean industries, and enhance our regional security. A weak target means more destructive climate extremes, more economic disruption, and catastrophic impacts on communities and ecosystems. Please support our campaign by making a call or sending an email:

• Ged Kearney's office on (03) 9416 8690 or email [email protected]
• Prime Minister's office on (02) 6277 7700 or fill out the contact form
• Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen on (02) 6277 7120 or email [email protected]

Please also sign and share the Climate Council's petition.

Fantastic outcome: ICJ Rules on Climate Action

Students from Vanuatu, supported by their government, pushed for a UN General Assembly resolution requesting that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) provide an advisory opinion on the issue of climate change and human rights.

“The International Court of Justice's (ICJ) advisory opinion found that countries have binding legal obligations under international law to prevent climate harm and protect human rights. While the opinion is not legally enforceable, it carries substantial political and legal weight for states and communities seeking accountability.” (Radio New Zealand)

Click here to see the press release and details on the obligations all countries and states now have to act on Climate Change (irrespective of signing the Paris Agreement or not). The Court affirms that States with major and historical polluters have a clear legal obligation to cut emissions, prevent serious harm, and work together to protect those most at risk, both within their borders and beyond. This duty applies to fossil fuel consumption, extraction, expansion, and subsidies, or a lack of adequate regulation, and extends to States that are not a party to climate change treaties and private entities that operate within their jurisdiction.

There is an excellent discussion of the implications of the court ruling in the podcast “Outrage and Optimism” with Christiana Figueres who was the UN Climate Chief.

Gas exodus: Tens of thousands of households flock to discounted electric upgrades

Nearly 100,000 households have participated in the Victorian Energy Upgrades program in the first six months of 2025, including swapping gas appliances for efficient electric alternatives that can cut hundreds of dollars from their annual energy bills.

State energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio says 99,000 households have taken advantage of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program so far this year, with participation expected to exceed 170,000 households by the year’s end.

The VEU scheme incentivises households and businesses to invest in energy efficient appliances and building upgrades by offering discounts.

See full report here.

One of the most impactful ways of personally reducing your contribution to climate change is to reduce your direct use of fossil fuels. For many people this means reducing or eliminating the use of fossil gas for heating and cooking in their homes.

A simple and practical guide has been put together on the DCAN website to get you started on this journey. Once you have looked at this, you will probably have more questions than answers, so Graham Moore, a DCAN member and expert on home electrification, is available to give free one-on-one sessions to help you understand how this applies to your particular situation.

To find the guide go to the DCAN website and choose 'Electrify' from the menu, or follow this link.

Calling Renters and Landlords

Renters and landlords in Darebin now have an opportunity to participate in research by RMIT University and the University of Technology Sydney on energy upgrades in private rental homes in Victoria and NSW. This research will inform policy development and provide better home improvement services and schemes to all households. Benefits include a home energy efficiency and comfort assessment tailored to your home and a $50 Coles-Myer voucher.

Complete this quick survey now to express your interest.

Corals’ Last Stand: Event Wrap

The Darebin community showed their concern for climate on Sunday August 10 when they packed the Thornbury Picture House, with extra people turning up on the day. Outside on High St, Climate Choir Melbourne drew a curious crowd with beautiful renditions of familiar tunes, cheekily reworked to call for climate action. Inside, the film delivered a powerful message about Scott Reef’s natural wonder and the real risk posed by gas expansion in the Browse Basin.

Mitch Pope from the Australian Marine Conservation Society traveled from the Surf Coast to answer questions about the campaign to save Scott Reef, the extension of the North West Shelf gas project and Woodside's source of funding (a reminder to check where your Super fund invests your dollars).

Thank you to everyone who came along, brought friends and added your voice.

Take action now:

Write to your local member and ask them to press Minister for the Environment, Murray Watt, to act to protect Scott Reef. Use DCAN’s letter template to make it quick and effective.

Painting exhibition in Northcote highlights environmental urgency

With her work focussing on the anthropocene Dr Megan-Jane Johnstone AO is exhibiting with several other artists. This exhibition, "As In Nature", explores the raw beauty of mountainous and forested landscapes through expressive, experimental painting. Each work invites close reflection on nature’s colours, forms, and fragility — aiming to evoke wonder, deepen appreciation, and encourage awareness in a time of environmental urgency.

Gallery Unbound, 497 High Street Northcote from August 27th to September 14th.

The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12 to 4pm.

March for peace, justice and a livable planet

Please put this date in your diary. Excellent speakers already confirmed include Extinction Rebellion’s Catherine Strong, Disrupt War’s community organiser Nat Farah and Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe.
There will be food and music at Camp Sovereignty afterwards.

State Library, Naarm, 3pm Sat., September 13th

Vale Nicky Coles

Nicky Coles, a long-time member of DCAN, passed away recently.
I got to know Nicky through a mutual friend, Jeremy Evans, another long-term DCAN member. We met occasionally to plot how we could best get Ged Kearney (Federal member for Cooper) to read the excellent climate change book "Five Times Faster" by Simon Sharpe. Following on from this, the three of us would meet on a regular basis for a coffee and a chat. Over this time I got to know Nicky. Despite her age of 89, she regularly rode her bike and took part in many activities and demonstrations - including her solo climate change protests outside Ged's office (à la Greta Thunberg), all this despite having dialysis three times a week. She told me she made good use of her time (seven hours each day on the machine) by catching up with climate change news and discussion.
We had many delightful conversations usually over a cup of hot chocolate and Portuguese tarts!
After a fall which put her in the Austin Hospital, I visited her and we had what was to be our last chat. She died peacefully two days later.
Vale Nicky - a true climate hero and wonderful human being.

[Obituary by Lawrie Hanson]

Help DCAN Grow on Social Media!

Exciting news! DCAN is now on Instagram and Bluesky in addition to Facebook, and we’d love you to join us there. By following and engaging with our posts, you help spread the word about climate action in our community.

Instagram – See inspiring photos, event updates, and climate tips. darebin_climate_action

Bluesky – Join the conversation on policies, actions, and solutions. @darebincan.bsky.social

Facebook – Keep up to date with DCAN activities and climate news. www.facebook.com/DarebinCAN

Every like, comment, and share helps amplify our impact. Follow us today and be part of the movement for a greener future! Please email us if you would like to join the DCAN social media team.

Want to know more about DCAN?

Why not come along to one of our monthly meetings? We usually meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7.00pm at the Bridge Preston. Please drop us an email at [email protected] to let us know if you are coming so that we can make sure to welcome you and give you an agenda ahead of the meeting.

Our next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on September 11th in the Waratah Room at the Bridge, 261 High, Preston.