Welcome to the December edition of the DCAN Dispatch.
No new coal and gas!
DCAN supporters joined Move Beyond Coal and Extinction Rebellion to call on local MP Ged Kearney to push the Federal Labor Government to ban new coal and gas projects. While the Government has introduced some very good and welcome climate initiatives such as the doubling of renewable energy, they have also approved or supported 16 new coal and gas export projects since coming to power. These projects will generate 7 times more greenhouse gases than the Government's initiatives seek to reduce. In a climate emergency we just can't let this happen. In 2024 we will need your help to keep up the pressure on Labor. Join us at our annual planning meeting in February to help make plans for 2024. Please let us know if you would like to be involved.
Expanded Water Trigger Passes Senate
DCAN was excited to learn that the government has agreed to fast-track amendments to the EPBC Act so that its ‘water trigger’ can cover fracking for shale and tight gas. This is great news - it will give the Federal Environment Minister the power to assess projects such as fracking in the NT's Beetaloo Basin for their impact on water resources. Kudos to everyone who wrote, phoned or met with their local MP to apply the necessary pressure to bring this about. People power at work! Now we just need to encourage the Minister to use her new powers!
Another important agreement was also struck to exclude carbon offsets in the Nature Repair Bill, thus sparing our precious environment from destructive green-washing proposals.
Australia’s new Nature Positive Laws – consultation on proposed laws is underway
DCAN attended a webinar on the proposed new Nature Positive laws. The webinar provided an overview of proposed laws and was well attended. A recording and transcripts are available on the consultation hub here.
The government plans to introduce the new laws next year and there will be ongoing consultation. Public comments are invited and can be made via ‘have your say’ until 30 March 2024
DCAN writes a submission on the Duty of Care Bill
DCAN has put in a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill. We argue that it is “inconceivable, and an outrage to our collective sense of fairness and responsibility” that the government is not only approving fossil fuel projects, but “is also prepared to argue that it does not have a Duty of Care to consider the consequences of those approvals and future decisions on our young people.” You can read the full submission here.
Solar and batteries for beginners
Tune into this great webinar presented by Ian Moxon from Watts Going Down. The webinar was organised by Boroondara libraries and there is lots of information provided that we can all benefit from. DCAN supporters attending the webinar described Ian as very knowledgeable, clear and easy to understand which tells us it's well worth listening to. Tip - start at the 2.30 minute mark when Ian begins his presentation as the earlier audio is a bit patchy. Please note the recording will only be available until December 30 so don't delay!
Don't forget to look at Darebin Council's Solar Saver Program for further information and support after you have watched the presentation.
Christmas Busy Bees and Ethical Market - Saturday 16 December 11am-4pm
Busy Bees for Wildlife and Mycelium Studios are holding a day of workshops, activities and a sustainable Christmas Market this coming Saturday at 10-12 Moreland Rd, East Brunswick.
Workshops include building nesting boxes ahead of a predicted scorching summer, making bird baths for Christmas gifts and other activities to provide our community with a refreshing antidote to Christmas consumerism.
The day will be very kid friendly and there will be food and music. Please come along. For more information click here.
December Rebellion
To coincide with COP28, Extinction Rebellion had a series of their own workshops and both peaceful and disruptive actions. It was gratifying that the various themes, including seismic blasting and the impact of war on both people and climate received attention in the media, including Channels 7 and 9.
Several DCAN members attended, as did the Climate Choir for the final street march and sit-in outside Flinders Street Station. Here 72 committed climate activists were arrested. They included the eminent philosopher Raimond Gaita (father of Katerina Gaita, founder of Climate for Change) and actor and writer Bill Garner. (Click here to view Channel 7's report on the mass arrest).
The words on the banner in the picture, “We need disruption to end the destruction”, are from UN Secretary Antonio Guterres.
Extinction Rebellion’s next “big” set of actions will be in March 2024. There will be many smaller events prior to this, including a stall at the Moreland Rd Mycelium Studio Christmas Market Saturday 16th 11-4.
Louise Harris singing “We Tried”
Watch this music video! The video that goes along with it is the best way to experience the song's emotional message. There is a move to try to make this the number one hit song for Xmas so subscribe, buy, gift, download etc.
Promoted by Chrisitana Figueres in the latest episode of Outrage and Optimism podcast about COP 28, which is also well worth listening to.
'Elephant in the Room' Tee Shirts and Tote bags
Get your order in quick smart for these great Tee shirts. Guaranteed to be a conversation starter!
More than a dozen different colours plus tote bags in the same design.
Let us know if you are interested by sending us an email and we will send you the order form which displays all the colours and sizes.
Message reads: It's the elephant in every room: The Climate Emergency
That's all for this month - thanks for reading! If you have any feedback on this newsletter, please let us know.
-
Robert Dawlings published this page in News 2023-12-15 09:20:28 +1100