Register for the Cooper Climate Election Forum – Show the candidates that Cooper voters want emergency climate action in this term of government

Welcome to the May edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

RiseUp Cooper - No more gas and coal!

Over 30 Cooper residents braved the rain last week to give local MP Ged Kearney a clear message that there can be no new coal and gas if we want to live on a safe planet. The action was part of the national Move Beyond Coal campaign and came hot on the heels of the devastating Future Gas Strategy announcement by the Albanese Government.

Folk present at the rally spoke up about their despair and frustration but also their determination to keep on fighting to end fossil fuel subsidies, put a stop to any new coal and gas projects and enact strong nature laws. Following the rally DCAN Convenor Ann Sanson presented office staff with a letter of demands. Ms Kearney had been called away unexpectedly from the office and was interstate. You can read the letter of demands here.

Future Gas Strategy

Many of you will have been shocked and disappointed by the Albanese government’s recently announced Future Gas Strategy whereby, in spite of the International Energy Agency’s 2021 Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 specifically saying there should be no new fossil fuel projects anywhere, Australia will continue to explore for and open up new gas projects. Resources Minister Madeleine King actually predicts, "Gas will remain an important source of energy through to 2050 and beyond.”

The Climate Council calls it “a maddening misstep” and says, “The Albanese Government has a choice: cut climate pollution and seize the decade by scaling up clean energy, or support new gas projects. It can’t do both."

This strategy ignores forecasts of a global oversupply of gas. It flies in the face of the Government’s own plans to develop clean industries. And it sounds more like Scott Morrison’s ‘gas led recovery’, not Anthony Albanese’s ‘renewable energy superpower’. Some DCAN members have responded by attending rallies with Rise Up (see article above) and writing letters to our local MP, Ged Kearney and newspapers.

Proposed Net Zero Authority is too narrow in scope

The Albanese Government has recently introduced two bills to establish a Net Zero Economy Authority. Although it is intended to coordinate the net zero transition, support workers in transitioning away from fossil fuels, and help reach greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, its major focus appears to be narrower - supporting workers attached to coal and gas fired power stations. This is of course important, but ignores many other workers in emissions-intensive industries such as export gas and coal projects, as well as all those working in other areas that will be affected by climate change. The bills ignore fossil fuel subsidies and fossil fuels exports, and would still allow the use of offsets, and ineffective and costly ventures like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

While there is a clear need for a body to coordinate the urgent work of decarbonisation, the Australia Institute’s submission to the Senate Inquiry on these bills noted that “a genuine transition away from fossil fuels cannot begin while the fossil fuel industry is still expanding”.

If you are concerned about the shortcoming of these bills, please contact Ged Kearney MP for Cooper and let her know.

DCAN calls for higher emission targets

The Climate Change Authority's (CCA) recent Issues Paper on emission targets for 2035 has recommended a target in the range of 65%-75% below 2005 levels. The CCA describes this target as “ambitious”. DCAN has put in a submission to the CCA, arguing that this is far from ambitious, and noting that it also ignores the serious under-reporting of Australia’s fossil methane emissions. Our submission calls for a steep increase in Australia’s ambition. We noted how analyses from a number of eminent researchers and research institutes have come to very similar conclusions: that to have even a 50% chance of not exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming, we need to aim for net zero emissions by 2035, with a 75% reduction by 2030 (based on 2005 levels). We also pointed out that these need to be real targets, with real emissions reductions, that the use of offsets should be minimised and that we should not be wasting time, money and resources on expensive and unproven technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage. You can find the submission here.

Darebin’s affordable EV Hub stalled!

This great initiative has stalled, despite Council officers emphasizing that it aligns with the draft Climate Emergency Strategy. We, on behalf of the 1,300+ people who signed our petition, ask why innovator Craig Bishop can’t continue at 2 Wingrove Street, Alphington with his plans for fitting out old cars with EV motors while servicing the vehicles of long-standing customers?

Craig and his family are facing at least two months' lost income because Council has banned him from trading until the end of June when results of a new Expression of Interest process will be known. Craig has repeatedly expressed willingness to create a not-for-profit structure and to focus on community service.

We are deeply concerned about the stresses on Craig and his family due to Council’s actions. Fortunately Craig has the support of our DCAN sub-group and petitioners. We are helping him to write the new EOI and are also lobbying councillors and Council staff so that, in the meantime, he can earn a livelihood.

Please help Craig by calling on our councillors to take action.

DCAN Affordable EV Hub subgroup (Emily, Marion, Jim, Kay and Jude)

Climate Resilience Inquiry Submission Making Party

You are invited to a very special event - a submission-making party for the state government's Climate Resilience Inquiry into how ready communities are to handle climate related disasters.

The Darebin Neighbourhood House Network and Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) have joined together to host the event on May 27th from 7 to 9 pm at Span Community House, 64 Clyde Street, Thornbury.

The Inquiry is looking at the impact of climate change on buildings and natural areas, including homes, schools, parks and beaches, as well as how we use these places.

This event is a great opportunity for you to talk about your climate change experiences and suggest ways to deal with these issues.

Come and share your thoughts and ideas with our community in Darebin.

Please sign up for the event via this Eventbrite link.

Any questions? Please contact Carmen at [email protected] or 0410 904 172

Mothers' Rebellion

The Melbourne Mothers' Rebellion has turned one. As always the occasion was marked by singing, sharing knowledge and gaining strength from being together. There were lots of positive interactions with the public and the first birthday/Mother's Day party was deemed a success.

Everyone is welcome to join this on-going climate activism and the subsequent lunch and chats. The next opportunities are at 11 a.m. on Saturday 15th June and 20th July outside the Arts Centre on St Kilda Rd.

To connect with the Mothers*, email here.
Subscribe or join here.
To see what Mothers* around the world are doing click here.

That's all for this month - thanks for reading! If you have any feedback on this newsletter, please let us know.

Rise up Cooper - No more Coal and Gas - 10th May, 4pm

Across Australia, our communities have faced a summer of devastating climate impacts, from cyclones and floods to sweltering heat waves. Yet fossil fuel companies continue to fuel the flames of the crisis, pushing ahead with risky coal and gas. Despite being elected in an historic wave of support for climate action, the Albanese government is failing in the number one test of climate leadership: saying NO to more coal and gas projects.

Please join us as we gather together at our local MP's office (Ged Kearney) to give a strong, clear message to the government: No more coal and gas!

When: Friday 10th May at 4pm - 5pm
Where: 159 High Street Preston Victoria 3072
Bring: Signs calling on Labor to "Keep us safe - no more coal and gas"
RSVP: Here

With an upcoming Federal Budget deciding what gets funding, and a looming deadline for Labor to fix our environment laws so they include the impacts of climate change, right now is a crucial moment to rise up and make our demands loud and clear.

DCAN calls on Council to increase climate ambition

In our feedback to Council on the Darebin Climate Emergency Plan, we strongly supported the priority focus on helping the community get off gas. We did, however, raise strong concerns that the emissions reduction targets fall short of what is needed to create a safer climate future for our community. This is the critical decade in which we must make big reductions in fossil fuel emissions so there is no time to waste. Our targets and actions must be stronger than the conservative benchmarks contained within the plan. The Climate Council, for example, has called for a reduction in emissions of 75% by 2030 - much higher than the target used in Darebin's plan.

One of the key initiatives in the Plan that we were very happy to see is the proposal for a service offering tailored household support and financial help for residents to electrify their homes and move to renewable energy. We have called on Council to double the target number of households for this program to 2000 households as it will play a key role in reducing Darebin's reliance on gas. We have also asked Council to develop a large scale communication campaign to enlist the support of businesses and residents to make the switch from gas to electric and for adequate staffing levels to ensure the success of all proposed initiatives. Read our full submission on the Plan here.

Does Japan really need Australian gas?

Australians elected the Albanese Government to take strong action on climate and it has made many welcome announcements to put Australia on the right track. The Government's insistence, however, on guaranteeing continued exports to Japan will result in the opening of new projects such as the Barossa and Scarborough Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects, completely undermining any positive actions. But how much does Japan really need Australian gas?

A 2024 report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) shows that Japan doesn't need our gas for its domestic consumption, but its companies do want it – so they can export it on to other countries! IEEFA has found that the big four Japanese companies are selling abroad “nearly 50% of the volumes consumed domestically”. The powerful Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry wants Japanese companies to handle 100 million tonnes of LNG annually by 2030. The Ministry and the big four companies are actively working with other Asian countries to expand imports of LNG. Read more about how backroom deals with Japan have locked Australia into decades of gas and why we should be raising this issue with our MPs.

Help create Victoria's next national park

Only 60 kilometres north east of Melbourne, the Central Highlands of Victoria is home to the world's tallest flowering plant, the Mountain Ash, and one of Australia's most endangered mammals, the Leadbeater's Possum. Despite an end to native forest logging in Victoria, both are threatened by ongoing clearfell logging, 'ecological thinning' and wildfires - which are exacerbated by logging!

The creation of the Great Forest National Park would not only safeguard the habitats of endangered species and protect these critical forests, but also protect carbon stocks, water supplies, and lower the risk of bushfires. Adding a proposed 355,000 hectares to the existing protected forests will combine a number of individual national parks to form the Great Forest National Park.

HAVE YOUR SAY: The Great Forest National Park proposal offers a chance to safeguard this natural wonder for generations to come. Submissions close Monday 29 April. Your voice matters! The Engage Victoria consultation is now open for your feedback.
It’s up to all of us to call for the park, but the people at #GFNP have prepared this handy submission guide to help us.

High Life Expo - Let’s talk about life in apartments and units!

If you live in or own an apartment or unit, the High Life Expo is for you. Learn how to make apartments, units, and apartment buildings more efficient, healthy, and lovely to live in:
· Hear from sustainability and strata experts;
· Learn from other owners corporations, apartment owners, and residents;
· Meet quality suppliers and installers of energy efficiency and sustainable products;
· Find out about government rebates.

Choose the topics that matter most to you: EVs and charging • Electrification • Energy efficiency • Solar and renewable energy • Apartment living for renters • Thermal comfort at home • Better recycling and waste management • Double glazing • Planting for cooling • Building community • Decision making in strata • And more!

High Life Expo | Saturday 1 June 2024 | RACV City Club, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne | A free event | Bookings essential

For details and free tickets click here.

DCAN and Social Media

🌍✊ We all know how powerful social media can be in shaping voting decisions, for better or for worse. Help us to harness that power for positive action on climate change. We are still looking for volunteers to join a DCAN action group who will use social media to spread awareness about climate action and to combat misinformation. If you're passionate about acting for a safe climate and enjoy working with social media, reach out to David Tomkins or Karen Large to get involved! 📢💚
#ClimateAction #SocialMediaForGood #JoinTheMovement

Have your Say! Climate Emergency Plan 2024- 2030

Do you have a great idea about how we, as a community, can reduce emissions? Now's your chance to have a say by commenting on the draft Darebin Council Climate Emergency Plan, open for comment until 7th April.

DCAN is excited to see the Plan offering tailored support to households on how to get off gas and go all electric (See Pillar 2, item 2.2.1). We have had lots of feedback from people saying they just don't know where to start to make the switch from gas to electric or how to go about accessing the financial supports available through various Government initiatives. Now's the chance to tell Council how welcome this advisory service would be to help residents transition to all electric homes.

Please have a read of the plan and provide your comments on the Your Say Darebin website. This is also a great opportunity to suggest important actions that may be missing. Note: you will need to register if you have not used the Your Say site before.

Let's show support for Anjali's bid to protect young people

This remarkable young leader, nineteen year old Anjali Sharma, was recently featured on ABC Australian Story. Anjali has marshalled young people, lawyers and the community to lobby Federal Parliament to change the laws around climate change. Her goal is to establish a law that would compel politicians to consider their duty of care to the health and well-being of future generations when considering coal, gas and oil projects. ACT Senator David Pocock is supporting the campaign to amend the Climate Change Act 2022 and will move to introduce a legal amendment to Parliament which will help safeguard the climate future of younger generations. Over 12,000 people have already expressed their support for this amendment. Please join us in supporting this important campaign.

Say NO to the Woollert incinerator!

DCAN is supporting the campaign to stop Cleanaway from building a massive, toxic, waste to energy incinerator in Wollert. Waste to energy technology is not a sustainable technology. By burning plastic, which is made from petroleum, this incinerator is effectively burning oil for energy and creating more greenhouse gases. DCAN also has serious concerns about the threats to neighbouring residents who will be subjected to air pollution from toxins that can cause cancer and birth defects. Tributaries of the Merri Creek in close proximity to the proposed site will also be at risk. Burning waste completely undermines prevention, reduction, reuse, repair and recycling initiatives. For more information, see this article from our friends at Climate Action Merri-Bek. Find out about upcoming information sessions and register your opposition here. Join the No Northern Incinerators for Woollert Facebook page.

Replace gas appliances with electric ones

5 million homes in Australia have gas cooking, heating or hot water appliances - 2 million of those are in Victoria! Gas appliances have a 5 to 10 year life span so, in order to achieve our net zero targets, we only have a limited time span to get all households off gas. When a gas appliance fails it needs to be replaced with an electric one. There is some great research by the Grattan Institute “Getting off Gas: why, how and who should pay?”. The Institute states that “We could get all homes off the gas network by 2050 if every household upgraded its gas appliances to electric ones at the end of the appliances’ lives.” We need to get to net zero before 2050 so planning now for the shift away from gas makes sense.

DCAN and Social Media

🌍✊ The Voice Referendum showed how powerful social media can be in shaping voting decisions. But what if we harnessed that power for positive change? Join us in a DCAN action group using social media to spread awareness about climate action and combat misinformation. If you're passionate about acting for a safe climate and ready to make a difference online, reach out to David Tomkins or Karen Large to get involved! 📢💚
#ClimateAction #SocialMediaForGood #JoinTheMovement

Electrification Masterclass a great success!

Twenty-one Darebin residents have received exclusive 1:1 consultations from dedicated home electrification experts through a joint project between DCAN and local business Energy Freedom Homes. Each participant in the masterclass was able to discuss their specific needs and challenges in detail and receive advice tailored to their situation. Topics covered included options for replacing gas heating and hot water systems, installing induction cooktops, upgrading solar systems, insulation and much more.

Feedback from participants was very positive; one of the participants, Tobias, said that the “well-prepared and personalised session with an industry expert helped with the decision-making on how to get off gas, taking the existing constraints into account."

A report on the learnings from the project will be submitted to Council and will inform the design of future projects. The project was proudly supported by a community grant from the City of Darebin.

For more information on how you can be part of the growing movement to Go Electric in your home, check out our Council's website.

Rising Tide Victoria - Short Film Screening and Q & A

In Nov 2023 thousands of Australians gathered in Newcastle to blockade coal ships at the world's biggest coal port. For 36 hours the community put their boats on the water and their bodies on the line in a festival atmosphere. The blockade made headlines across the globe. There are plans for an even bigger and better blockade in 2024.

Join Rising Tide for a short film screening and Q & A on this inspiring people's movement that is set to change the landscape of civil resistance.

Friends of the Earth (FOE) 312 Smith St Collingwood. Thursday 18th April, 6.30 - 8pm.
Nibbles will be provided.
Please book via Humantix

Music for a Warming World

Music for a Warming World is a unique eco-art fusion of music, visual imagery, science and culture performed by professional musicians who have inspired and delighted audiences around Australia. It will make you laugh and perhaps even cry. It fosters understanding of climate change, promotes preparedness, and cultivates a sense of solidarity, strength and hope within our global community. For more information: Music For A Warming World.

To be held at Manningham Uniting Church & Community Centre, 109 Wood Street, Templestowe.

Saturday 20 April 2024 at 7.30pm

Book your tickets here for this reflective, confronting, inspiring and exciting experience.

Welcome to the February edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

Planning day sets DCAN off to a flying start

DCAN has kicked off the year with a highly successful planning day held at The Bridge, Preston. Twenty-five supporters came together to brainstorm key opportunities and develop creative ideas to step up the pressure on our politicians and increase community efforts to fight dangerous climate change.

A highlight of the day was a presentation from Leigh Ewbank from the Climate Solutions team at CANA (Climate Action Network Australia). Leigh outlined the critical issues we need to be aware of in the year ahead and described how DCAN, as a strong grassroots community group, can be an effective contributor to national campaigns. He talked about three key campaigns:

• The Big Ask - Campaigning for a historic investment in climate solutions
• End Fossil Fuels - Campaigning for the govt to rule out new coal and gas projects
• Climate Targets - Campaigning for a strong, science-based Emissions Reduction Target for 2035.

We also discussed local events such as the upcoming Council elections in October and the importance of reaching out to more community groups in Darebin. We generated lots of ideas for actions which will form the basis of our 2024 plan. If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved in our work please drop us an email. Many thanks to our wonderful facilitator Belinda Haydon for keeping us on track.

National Sustainability Festival 1-28 Feb

This year is the 25th National Sustainability Festival which runs over the entire month of February. The festival has a huge program of ideas and action for sustainability and is the largest sustainability festival in Australia. Fortunately for us it takes place in Melbourne and some regional centres. As the organisers say: it's "not just an event, it is a movement of change-makers. Its mission is simple: accelerate the uptake of sustainable living and address the global climate and biodiversity emergencies..... By showcasing cutting-edge solutions to ecological and social challenges, the Festival fosters and provides tools for the change we want to see and the difference we want to make in the world." Check out the program here.

EV Hub Initiative in Darebin

Darebin has an exciting opportunity to make the EV (electric vehicle) revolution affordable for everyone. Evolution Automotive, run by Craig Bishop, is pioneering the way forward by retrofitting an electric motor into a petrol car. The motor might even come from an existing hybrid vehicle.

DCAN recently formed a sub-group to work with Craig on the proposal. Firstly, his future at his current premises in the former Melbourne Innovation Centre in Alphington, which is owned by Darebin Council, needs to be secured. Help is urgently needed as a Council deadline of the end of April is looming - please contact Jim.

Revegetating Darebin Creek

The Friends of Darebin Creek hold monthly working bees on the second Sunday of each month from 9-11am at Arch Gibson Reserve, Kingsbury. This is part of the Revegetating Darebin Creek Project, where thousands of shrubs and grasses have been planted in the reserve with the intention of bringing back small woodland birds. The primary focus now is to maintain these plantings through weeding, mulching, removing guards and other activities through a monthly Maintenance Working Bee.
Afterwards, enjoy morning tea with your fellow volunteers and speak to FoDC committee members. Some months will include a special guest speaker who will talk about topics related to the creek.

When: Every second Sunday of each month
Meeting Time: 9am
Location: Arch Gibson Reserve, near Kingsbury Bowls Club
What to bring: Appropriate footwear, gloves, water, hat, sunscreen. Equipment and tools will be provided

Volunteers can just show up on the day or contact FoDC for registration.
For more information click here.

Rebel for Life

Extinction Rebellion have a number of events planned during February and March to draw attention to some topical issues: seismic blasting for new gas, the Atlas Network’s use of misinformation to undermine climate action, as well as the sitting-in-a-circle Mothers' Rebellion. For details and sign-up click here.

Summer Heat Survey - can you help?

Having just been through several days of sweltering heat and electricity blackouts now is an opportune time to register your experiences and thoughts via Australia's biggest community heat survey. The survey is a joint project between Sweltering Cities and the Healthy Homes for Renters campaign. This year the survey is focusing on cost of living pressures and how they impact on our ability to stay safe in the heat. Your stories will help form campaigns to inform real change within our communities. Fill out the short survey here.

Karla Grant Presents: Fading Sands

This award winning documentary is on SBS until the end of February. It is one of a series of documentaries presented by Karla Grant on SBS On Demand. The documentaries are from promising and established Indigenous filmmakers illustrating Indigenous peoples connection to Country. Fading Sands includes interviews with Solomon Islanders about the impacts of climate change they are already experiencing causing loss of land, crops, cultural places and internal displacement.

That's all for this month - thanks for reading! If you have any feedback on this newsletter, please let us know.

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.

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.

Welcome to the November edition of the DCAN Dispatch.

While it was with a very heavy heart that DCAN received news of the defeat of the referendum proposal for a Voice to Parliament, we drew some comfort from the fact that 65% of the Cooper electorate supported a Yes vote. Many DCAN supporters took part in the Yes campaign. We believe that there can be no climate justice without justice for First Nations people. We look forward to working with First Nations people in their ongoing fight for justice, truth telling and treaty.

DCAN Annual Report - Hot off the Press

DCAN's annual report is packed full of information about the group's activities over the past 12 months. The report details our collective wins and the ongoing work needed to get fast action on the climate emergency: from working with Darebin Council to lobbying State and Federal pollies, working on campaigns such as getting off gas, strengthening the climate safeguards mechanism and stopping new coal and gas mines. Outreach into the community is also one of our core activities which we continue to do through chatting to people on bike paths, at markets and shopping strips or at wonderful events like the climate carnival. Our display at the Northcote library was a highlight featuring photographs of our work and included a doll's house full of toy elephants! Curious? Have a look here.

Support for a Climate Hunger Striker

On November 2nd former Ambassador and Threatened Species Commissioner of Australia, Gregory Andrews, started a #ClimateHungerStrike in front of the Australian Parliament. He explains: “The world is on the brink of climate collapse. Billions of people will die from heat stroke, starvation and fossil-fuelled disasters in our lifetimes if we don’t take real and fast action. But Australia is still digging up coal and chopping down forests."

“I want my children to have the same future and opportunities as the decision-makers in Parliament House today. That’s why I’m on a #ClimateHungerStrike until Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commits to real action.”

Andrews continues, “Join me in calling for a safe future. Please sign and share my petition.”

(More information available here).

School Strike for Climate - 1pm November 17

Let's support our kids as they strike for a safer world. You are warmly welcome to join fellow DCAN supporters at 12:45pm in the Flagstaff gardens just behind the Flagstaff metro entrance near the corner of Williams and La Trobe Street. See you there!  More info on the strike available here.

Darebin Solar Saver Information Session - 14 November 6.30pm - Reservoir Library

Shocked by your latest electricity or gas bill? Maybe you’ve started thinking about solar but don’t know where to start?
The Darebin Solar Saver Program has been running for 10 years and has helped more than 2,000 residents and businesses install solar.
Hear how solar works as well as how a system is designed and installed by Mick Harris, Manager Director of Envirogroup and local business partner of the program.

The Darebin Solar Saver Team will discuss how the program works and how easy it is to apply. They will also explain the state and federal rebates available. You can register for this free session here: Reservoir session. To find out more about the Solar Saver Program visit www.darebin.vic.gov.au/solar.

Upcoming events as part of the Move Beyond Coal week of action

Monday, December 04, 2023, 12:00 - 12:30pm.  Gathering at Ged Kearney's Office, 159 High Street, Preston, to call on her and the federal Labor government to support an end to new coal and gas approvals. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, December 06, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00pm. You are invited to visit the Member for Wills, Peter Khalil's Office, 466 Sydney Road, Coburg, together with Blinky (the giant koala) and the Red Rebels. Click here for more information.

Atlas Network -you need to know about this!

The Atlas Economic Research Foundation, founded in 1981, have supported climate science denial and have campaigned against legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Atlas-affiliated think tanks have mobilised against climate activists on several continents. Notable members of the network include think tanks such as the Institute of Economic Affairs in the United Kingdom; the Cato Institute, Heartland Institute, Heritage Foundation, American Legislative Exchange Council, Manhattan Institute and Pacific Research Institute in the United States; the Fraser Institute and MacDonald-Laurier Institute in Canada and the Centre for Independent Studies in Australia.

Atlas “strives to provide personal assistance to individuals who are starting a free-market institute”. They list 500 plus organisations, such as the IPA, that belong and contribute financially to the organisation.

Listen to the podcast by Philip Adams “What is the Atlas Network”, an interview with Dr Jeremy Walker (Broadcast 30 October 2023). Walker has written an article on the connection between Atlas and the “No” campaign for The Voice (Silencing the Voice: the fossil-fuelled Atlas Network’s Campaign against the Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians). Very worrying.

Sign on to the Climate Council's submission to the Duty of Care Bill

The Climate Council is making a submission to the Senate inquiry into the Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2023 (Duty of Care Bill).

By signing onto the submission and supporting the Duty of Care Bill, you can tell the federal government that they should take a duty of care to ensure current and future generations of Australians have a safe and liveable climate.

Click here to read the submission and add your name.

'Duty of Care Bill' Teacher and Student Resources

A message from Rising Tide: The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port - November 24 to 27, Muloobinba (Newcastle) NSW

Join the Naarm/Melbourne contingent travelling to Muloobinba (Newcastle, NSW) this November for the Rising Tide People's Blockade! For months, volunteer teams in Newcastle/Muloobinba and around the country have been organising for the People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port in November. It’s shaping up to be one of the largest peaceful civil disobedience protests for climate action in Australia’s history: blockading coal ships for 30 hours, and stopping half a million tonnes of coal from being exported and burnt.

Hundreds of people from Naarm/Melbourne and Victoria are travelling to the blockade. Make sure you register to let us know you're coming to the Blockade and join the Naarm contingent Facebook page to stay up-to_date with the latest information. We’ve also put together a handy travel guide with all the info you need to get to Muloobinba/ Newcastle. Register your travel plans with us to be part of the Naarm convoy or join a carpool.

Can't make it to the blockade this time but want to help? Support students and people on low incomes to travel to the blockade by contributing to our crowdfunding campaign. If financial support might help you get to the blockade, send us an email at [email protected] by Sunday 12 November.

Got questions? Check out the Rising Tide FAQs or contact us at [email protected]. We’d love to help!

"The Warrnambool council formally opposed seismic blasting recently and hundreds turned out to say the same." (Robin Sharrock, Warrnambool Standard)

DCAN is concerned about a range of serious problems presented by seismic blasting over vast offshore areas in search of new gas fields in the Otway Basin.

With hundreds of other concerned members of the public, including First Nations people, fisherfolk and some Extinction Rebellion Spirits of the Sea, DCAN members gathered in wild weather to voice our concerns.

We then got warm in the local community centre and wrote letters of protest to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, the agency considering giving approval to this awful idea.

The Spirits of the Sea will emerge again as part of the Extinction Rebellion six-days of action, 5-10th December. Everyone is welcome to attend all of the many creative pro-climate action events. Find details and sign-up here.

Facing Collapse Sharing Circle (Peer discussion)

As we increasingly face the realities of ecological and social collapse these experiences are felt deeply within us. It can feel isolating if people around us are not available for us to communicate our feelings with or we are unable to investigate our own personal coping strategies. This peer sharing circle invites you to connect in person, to witness and be witnessed, and to explore how your inner world is responding to the outer turmoil. Limited numbers and booking is required. Pay-as-you-feel cash donation on the evening with all funds going directly to keep Black Spark going. For more information click here.

To send your commitment to attend, email [email protected] (include your mobile #) and a confirmation will be sent to you.

Friday 17 Nov – Blackspark Cultural Centre, 235A St Georges Road, Northcote, 6.30 – 8pm (8-8.30pm after cuppa)

That's all for this month - thanks for reading! If you have any feedback on this newsletter, please let us know.

International litigation on the climate emergency

Legal cases are an important way to get action on the climate emergency, and the number of international court cases is growing. Here are two examples to which DCAN is contributing:

On 27th September, before the European Court of Human Rights, six young people from Portugal took 32 countries 
to trial for failing
 to do their part to avert climate catastrophe. DCAN’s convenor, Ann Sanson, contributed to an expert report supporting the case, documenting the psychological impacts of climate change on young people. You can read more about the case on the Youth for Climate Justice website.

Another case is being brought by the Governments of Chile and Colombia, who have submitted a joint request for an Advisory Opinion from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on “The Climate Emergency and Human Rights”. Ann is contributing to an ‘amicus submission’ focusing on the impacts of climate change on children’s physical and psychological health, and their right to a healthy environment.

Support for the 'Duty of Care Bill'

Currently the Australian government has no duty of care to protect young people and future generations from climate change.

The Duty of Care Bill builds on the case of Sharma v Minister for the Environment, a legal challenge by brave Australian children who argued that all young Australians are owed a duty to take reasonable care to protect them from climate change harm.  

Although the case was initially successful, the federal government appealed the decision and it was overturned.

The lead litigant in that case, Anjali Sharma, together with Senator David Pocock have joined with Australians of all generations to support the Duty of Care Bill and to ensure that Government protects the health and well-being of children in Australia when making decisions contributing to climate change.

For more information and to sign the petition supporting the bill click here.

Shift the Power - National School Climate Strike - November 17

School Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) is gearing up for a national climate strike on November 17 so please save the date. They are striking to demand that the Federal Government #ShiftThePower away from fossil fuel companies and listen to the demands of the people. SS4C are calling on the Government to stop subsidising and approving new fossil fuel projects. Keep an eye on the website for more details as they become available.

Fix the ‘water trigger’ to stop fracking

DCAN supporters have been working with Extinction Rebellion and other groups to pressure federal Labor to act on their election promise to bring fracking under the ‘water trigger’ of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act . This would allow the federal government to stop massively destructive projects like the Beetaloo Basin.

Next week Teal Independent Sophie Scamps will move amendments to the EPBC Act that will implement Labor’s election promise. Labor has the option of supporting Sophie’s motion, or moving a similar amendment. Labor is also being called upon to ensure that Traditional Owner cultural values and knowledge are properly considered in water assessments.

DCAN has requested an urgent meeting with local MP Ged Kearney. A mega-fracker is already doing exploratory work at Beetaloo, drilling through precious groundwater aquifers and potentially damaging the sacred sites of Traditional Owners. This massive carbon and methane project cannot be allowed to proceed. Production approvals are likely to be given soon and once fracking at scale is underway it will be too late. Any subsequent change to the ‘water trigger’ won’t be able to rectify the damage.

Read more about fracking in the Beetaloo Basin and messages from NT Traditional Owners in these briefing papers from our friends at Beyond Gas Network.

Heat Pump Hot Water Systems 101 Webinar - Tue, 17 October, 7.45pm – 8.30pm

Want to reduce your energy bills while looking after the environment? Join the Geelong Sustainability Group for a free information session with a Reclaim Energy expert who will unpack heat pump hot water systems, the latest products and technologies, what it costs and how much you could save on your bills. Register here to secure your spot.

DCAN AGM 7pm Thornbury - November 2

DCAN’s Annual General Meeting is a great way to hear about what we have been up to in the past year and where you can best contribute to the ongoing fight for urgent climate action. If you have been thinking about how you can step up, the AGM is a great way to find out. Come along and join our friendly crew for a chat. The meeting will be at the Bridge, 131 Shaftesbury Parade on Thursday 5th November starting at 7pm. Please contact Karen on 0425 753 266 to let us know you are coming or if you have any questions.

A message from Rising Tide about the People’s Blockade

Join the Naarm/Melbourne contingent travelling to Muloobinba (Newcastle, NSW) this November for the Rising Tide People's Blockade! Take positive action for a safe climate future in one of the largest peaceful civil disobedience protests for climate action in Australia’s history.

We're calling for thousands of people to gather and demand an immediate end to new coal projects and the end of coal exports from the world’s largest coal port by 2030. It will be a fun and family-friendly gathering, with live music and speakers and food shared by donation. Borrow one of our kayaks, or bring your own vessel – a kayak, tinny, yacht or surfboard!

Register to let us know you're coming to the Blockade and join the Naarm contingent Facebook page to stay up-to-date with the latest information and connect with other people travelling to the Blockade from Naarm/Melbourne/Victoria, including at a BBQ/picnic on Melbourne Cup Day (more details to be announced!). More information about transport options from Naarm/Melbourne can be found here. Keen to carpool? Fill in your details in our transport info-sharing page. If you've got any questions, we'd love to help! Please contact: [email protected].

“Climate Changers”: A Film by Tim Flannery

Acclaimed scientist Tim Flannery searches for the missing ingredient in our fight against climate change – that is leadership.