DCAN acknowledges that there can be no climate justice without justice for First Nations peoples. To achieve this, we need to put an end to the brutal impacts of colonisation and racism. Traditional Owners have cared for Country for tens of thousands of years. They continue to inspire us with their strength, resilience and resistance - leading campaigns to protect Country and sacred sites from the destructive practices of fossil fuel mining companies.    

Today marks the landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and the beginning of the colonisation, dispossession and violence that has continued to the present day.  We stand in solidarity with First Nations Peoples on this day of mourning and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. We especially acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of the land that we carry out our activities. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and commit to working alongside First Nations Peoples as we chart a shared path toward a sustainable future.

Listen
To the stories, experiences and journeys of First Nations people - NITV /SBS are dedicating a whole day of programming today. You can watch here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/channels/nitv

Learn
About First Nations people and history, which is the history of Australia. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy just celebrated 50 years, learn more about it here: https://theconversation.com/a-short-history-of-the...

Sites like the Colonial Frontier Wars detail the violence that has been perpetrated against First Nations Australians: https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/

Learn about the custodians of the land and water you are living on from AIATSIS: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia

Learn about incredible First Nations leaders who have contributed to our communities, our country and the world who have been recognised with a National NAIDOC Award: https://www.naidoc.org.au/awards/winner-profiles

Act
Support First Nations organisations, initiatives and campaigns:

• Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation - protecting, managing and enhancing environmentally and culturally significant places on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.
• Seed Mob – Australia’s first Indigenous youth climate network, building a movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island young people for climate justice.
• Country Needs People – a growing group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people campaigning for Indigenous Ranger and Protected Area programs.
• Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodians – working to protect a vast area of land in central-western Queensland, including the site of Adani's destructive coal mine.
• Original Power - building the power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to protect country.
• The Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council – protecting the sacred river, the Mardoowarra in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and representing Traditional Owners of the entire river catchment.
• Olkola Aboriginal Corporation – Olkola Aboriginal Corporation now holds and manages 869,822 hectares of its Traditional Lands, making it one of the largest landholders in the Cape York Peninsula.
• Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation for whom the struggle to return and protect their ancestral homelands took nearly 100 years.  
• Mirarr people via Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation – the Traditional Owners of land in the north of the Northern Territory. They are powerful advocates against uranium mining, speaking out in the famous Jabiluka campaign, and for Kakadu.
• Firesticks alliance - aims to re-invigorate the use of cultural burning by facilitating cultural learning pathways to fire and land management. 
• Australian Nuclear Free Alliance – formed in 1997, the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance brings together Aboriginal people and civil society groups concerned about nuclear developments in Australia, particularly on Aboriginal homelands
• Pay the rent - support grassroots causes and campaigns focused on protecting First Nations rights and practical support. 

*With thanks to information provided by the Australian Conservation Foundation, #StopAdani and Fair Agenda. 

Have you caught up with the shocking news that Powershop has reportedly been taken over by fossil fuel giant Shell? GetUp! and Environment Victoria have already severed ties with Powershop, and thousands of Powershop members are switching to other providers. If you are looking for an alternative ethical energy retailer to switch to then check out CoPower.  CoPower is 100% community owned and democratically managed. Their mission is to “tackle poverty, take action against the climate crisis and build community.” For more ideas on green energy alternatives have a look at this article in The New Daily.

A new climate network for Darebin groups and residents is off to a flying start. Thirty six locals, representing over 25 local groups, came together recently in an online meeting hosted by Darebin Climate Action Now. The main item on the table was to look at how groups can support and amplify each others' work on climate related issues. Those attending the meeting expressed excitement about the opportunity to bring diverse groups together, share skills and resources and promote each others’ events and projects. The network is open to all local groups and individuals who would like to connect with like-minded groups and get support for their work on climate. If you would like to know more about the aims of the network please contact [email protected].  

Come on a tour of an all electric house

Treat yourself to a virtual tour of this all-electric, solar-powered townhouse belonging to one of our most active members. Built with recycled materials, this beautifully designed, energy-efficient home is completely powered by renewable energy through solar, batteries and all-electric appliances. Take the tour

DCAN's 20/21 Annual Report is now available.  The report, tabled at DCAN's Annual General Meeting in October, describes the huge range of activities the group was involved in over the past year despite Covid restrictions. Activities include some very creative mural painting, weeding parties, pavement chalking and talking, singing in the climate choir, the production of a new climate emergency sign and 'What is Climate Change?' poster.  This was in addition to the ongoing work with Darebin Council, lobbying local MPs and submission writing. Please take the time to read our report.  If you like what you read contact us at [email protected] to get more involved.  We would love to have you on board!

The Coalition, supported by Labor, has passed legislation in Parliament to provide at least $50m subsidised funding for new fossil fuel projects, including fracking in the Northern Territory. The government’s five basins gas plan would lead to expanding emissions, the equivalent of more than 80 average-sized Australian coal-fired plants! On October 19th a second Disallowance Motion will be put to the Senate by the Greens to try to halt government funding to gas companies to support unconventional gas exploration in the environmentally sensitive Beetaloo Basin. DCAN is urging Labor MPs to support the Greens' disallowance motion in the Senate. Here is some background information to help you write your letter or make an urgent phone call to Federal Labor MPs. Remember we have till just the 19th October to make our feelings known to Labor MPs. Click here for more background info and resources

DCAN is excited to announce its partnership with the newly funded Metro Community Power Hub (MCPH). As Victoria’s first metropolitan Community Power Hub, the MCPH is a forward-looking network of energy practitioners, climate action groups such as DCAN, social enterprises, councils, businesses and residents - all committed to accelerating Melbourne’s transition to renewable energy.

Funded by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, the Hub will work with metropolitan communities as a "one stop shop" to support, develop and deliver local, cost-effective renewable energy projects and solutions. 

The Hub will focus on practical steps we can all take for a zero-carbon future, including:

• A solar PV program with vetted suppliers offering up to 20% discount on retail prices;
• Advice and quotes on replacing gas appliances as we work towards the all-electric
  home;
• Energy literacy to help communities reduce their gas and electricity bills;
• Local events, workshops and information sessions on community energy initiatives;
• Feasibility work on supporting and developing community proposals for flagship
  projects, such as installing solar panels on your local sporting club rooms or scoping
  for a community battery.

We’ll be covering Hub news regularly but if you want to learn more or get involved now, please visit https://www.yef.org.au/mcph/

Darebin Council has taken a lead role in the successful coming together of 46 Victorian Councils who have agreed to buy their power through Red Energy from two Victorian wind farms - the Dundonnell (near Mortlake) and Murra Warra (near Horsham).

Darebin Council staff recently outlined this exciting breakthrough initiative at a DCAN webinar. Called the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) it represents the largest emissions reduction project in the local government sector in the whole of Australia. Equivalent to taking 90,000 cars off the road each year, Darebin Council also estimates a 30% saving in energy bills which will be ploughed back into other community programs. 

Council staff explained how the length of the contract period provides stability for the wind generators which in turn supports further investment in renewables, creates jobs and contributes to the electricity grid as whole.  If you would like to hear more about this exciting project you can watch the webinar recording here or visit the VECO website.

Thanks to the persistence of DCAN supporters, climate emergency is upfront and centre of Darebin Council’s new 20 year Vision and 2021-2025 Plan.  With unanimous support from all Councillors, continued action on the climate emergency is one of the top 10 Big Actions in the Plan.  The Plan explains why addressing climate change is a key responsibility of Local Government under Victorian legislation and outlines Darebin City Council’s proud history of leadership in this area. 

DCAN looks forward to working with Council in the development of a new Climate Emergency plan to reach zero emissions by 2030 and the implementation of the new and continuing projects outlined in the Plan.  Thank you to all DCAN supporters who contacted their local councillor, wrote submissions and participated in the consultation process.