Category: Newsletters

Victorian Climate Action Calendar: 15 March to 24 May 2015
This calendar covers events from 15 March to 24 May 2015

Download it here or from www.vcac.org.au/calendar

A number items of interest are featured below.

Regards,
Monique

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life
on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet”
– Albert Einstein
- CHALLENGING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH DIET (Extract)
- DEFORESTATION – youtube video
- ZERO CARBON AUSTRALIA LAND USE; AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
CHALLENGING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH DIET (Extract)
Monique Decortis

……Diet impacts on climate as meat based diets are in a large part responsible for the emissions of methane through the life cycle and supply chain of animals raised for food.
Ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, camel, and buffalo produce methane as a by-product of digesting plant material. Globally, ruminant livestock produce roughly 80 million metric tons of methane annually, accounting for about 28% of the global methane emissions from human-related activities. Livestock production systems can also emit nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
Livestock raising is one of the main drivers of deforestation. Clearing of tropical forests and rain forests for the creation of new grazing land and farm land increases the rate of species extinction, has a devastating effect on biodiversity and is responsible for an extra 2.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emission per year.
With increased prosperity, people are consuming more meat and dairy products every year. Global meat production is projected to more than double by 2050, while milk output is also set to increase considerably. Livestock now use 30 percent of the earth’s entire land surface, mostly permanent pasture but also including 33 percent of the global arable land used to produce feed for livestock. Livestock water consumption, including water used in producing feed, places great stress on the already-limited supply of water resources.
Replacing livestock with other food sources would greatly reduce greenhouse emissions and therefore the rate at which the climate is warming. Replacement of livestock for mitigation of climate change needs to go alongside other actions such as cessation of deforestation through logging for commercial reasons, replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy, population control and an overall reduction in consumption of our natural resources.

DEFORESTATION (3:50 minutes)

Tropical forests act as the lungs and temperature regulator for the planet. and they play a crucial role in maintaining a stable climate. Over half of the species on earth reside in tropical forests, yet every year, 20 million hectares of tropical forests are being destroyed, releasing 2 billion tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Every second an area of tropical rainforest the size of a football field is being destroyed.Deforestation is responsible for 20-25% of global warming, due to the massive release of CO₂ that is stored in the trees.
A Woods Hole Research Centre study found that the Amazon Forest is at imminent risk of being turned into desert. If the 90 billion tons of carbon stored in the Forest were released into the atmosphere, it would have disastrous consequences on the world’s climate.
According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization’s 2007 report, “Livestock’s Long Shadow”, 70% of total Amazon deforestation, and over 90% of Amazon deforestation since the 1970’s, is due to clearing land for pasture and for growing soya bean crops to be fed to livestock. In addition, scientists have found that 60% of the black carbon particles building up on the surface of the ice in Antarctica were carried there by the wind from South American forests, which are burned to clear land for livestock production. Black carbon, or soot, is 680 times more heat trapping than CO₂.

ZERO CARBON AUSTRALIA LAND USE; AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

Beyond Zero Emissions

Beyond Zero Emissions’ Zero Carbon Australia Land Use Report outlines a range of measures that can substantially reduce emissions and provide opportunities for farmers in building resilience to the impacts of climate change. These measures encompass both agriculture and forestry and address emissions at the scale required to prevent catastrophic climate change.

The Land Use Report analyses the suite of land use practices in Australia for their function as a source of greenhouse emissions, the potential of the landscape to draw down atmospheric CO2, and the likely impact of changes to land use patterns on local economies. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of how Australia can manage its productive capacity, ecological heritage and ecosystems services for the future.

Download the report (pdf 16.1 MB) or order the report: BZE online shop.
14 March 2015
Victorian Climate Action Calendar: 22 Feb to 19 April 2015
This update of the Victorian Climate Action Calendar covers events from 22 February to 19 April

   can be downloaded here and from vcac.org.au/calendar

    A number items of interest are featured below.

    Regards,

    Monique
- HEALTHY SOILS FOR A HEALTHY LIFE
- SOIL IS A NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCE – info sheets
- BBC RADIO: INSIDE SCIENCE – SOIL BEHAVIOUR
- WHAT IS SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION?
- SOIL CARBON MONITORING IN TANZANIA – youtube video
– 2015 IS THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SOILS –

HEALTHY SOILS FOR A HEALTHY LIFE

Soil is a non renewable resource, and it determines much of our existence. Soil, apart from feeding us and sustaining us, also has a crucial regulatory role in our climate. The United Nations has declared 2015 The International Year of Soils It aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security, essential ecosystem functions and in addressing climate change.

SOIL IS A NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCE

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Soil preservation is essential for food security and our sustainable future

Soil is a core component of land resources, agricultural development and ecological sustainability, it is the basis for food, feed, fuel and fibre production and for many critical ecosystem services. It is therefore a highly valuable natural resource, yet it is often overlooked. The natural area of productive soils is limited – it is under increasing pressure of intensification and competing uses for cropping, forestry, pasture and urbanization, and to satisfy demands of the growing population for food and energy production and raw materials extraction. Soils need to be recognized and valued for their productive capacities as well as their contribution to food security and the maintenance of key ecosystem services. Read further.

BBC RADIO INSIDE SCIENCE ON SOIL BEHAVIOUR

New research seeking to further our understanding of soil behaviour.

Adam Rutherford interviews a number of people.including Richard Bardgett, Professor of Ecology Manchester University who says: “…The soil covers pretty much all of the earth’s surface, and we need the soil for our foods……the soil is critical for climate change, the soil is the third largest global store of carbon and there is something like almost two to three times as much carbon contained in the soil as there is in the within the atmosphere. So it is an incredibly important carbon store affecting the whole global circulation of carbon which is critically important for climate change…”

Soils acts as storage for carbon, especially when it is frozen but as the world gets warmer the permafrost melts as a runaway effect of climate change. With global warming the permafrost and the tundra defrost, releasing megatons more carbon…..

Further into the program, Professor Ian Hartley, Exeter University, says that “perhaps there is three times as much carbon in permafrost as we previously thought… That carbon has been present in these soils for thousands of years. However, tundra ecosystems are no longer absorbing carbon, they are actually releasing it. They are releasing it when they are starting to decompose when the permafrost thaws as it responds to climate change”. Listen to the program(30mins)

WHAT IS SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide can be lowered by reducing emissions or by taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and storing in terrestrial, oceanic, or freshwater aquatic ecosystems. A sink is defined as a process or an activity that removes greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. The long-term conversion of grassland and forestland to crop and grazing lands has resulted in losses of soil carbon worldwide but there is a major potential for increasing soil carbon through restoration of degraded soils and widespread adoption of soil conservation practices. ……land-use conversion and soil cultivation are still responsible for about one-third of GHG emissions…. However, improved agricultural practices can help mitigate climate change by reducing emissions from agriculture and other sources and by storing carbon in plant biomass and soils. » Read the full article

SOIL CARBON MONITORING IN TANZANIA
21 February 2015
Victorian Climate Action Calendar: 15 Feb to 12 April 2015
This Victorian Climate Action Calendar covers events from 15 February to 12 April 2015.

» Download the newsletter here

A number items of interest are featured below.

Regards,
Monique
- “HOTTEST YEAR’ STORY OBSCURES BIGGER NEWS: OCEAN WARMING NOW OFF THE CHARTS
- WHY THE ARCTIC IS WARMING FASTER THAN THE REST OF THE PLANET
- ARCTIC’S ‘PENGUINS OF THE NORTH’ ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE
‘HOTTEST YEAR’ STORY OBSCURES BIGGER NEWS: OCEAN WARMING NOW OFF THE CHARTS

Joe Romm Jan 2015

The oceans — where over 90% of global warming heat ends up — have literally warmed up off the charts of NOAA. The big climate news in the past weeks was NOAA and NASA announcing that 2014 was the hottest year on record, breaking the highs of 2005 and 2010. But the bigger story got buried: Global warming has continued unabated in recent years. Indeed, it’s not just that there not been a hiatus or pause or even slowdown in surface temperature warming (see below).

Ocean heat content data to a depth of 2,000 meters, from NOAA.

The oceans, where the vast majority of human-caused global warming heat goes, have seen an acceleration in warming in recent years. As climate expert Prof. John Abraham writes in the UK the UK Guardian, “The oceans are warming so fast, they keep breaking scientists’ charts.”

WHY THE ARCTIC IS WARMING FASTER THAN THE REST OF THE PLANET

Mindy Townsend Dec 2014

Earth’s climate is continuing to warm, and the arctic regions are warming at twice the rate of the rest of the planet. This is to do with light and how that light interacts with stuff. Different wavelengths of visible light correspond with different colors. For example, if you see a green plant that means that the plant is absorbing all wavelengths of light except green. Green is reflected back, and that is what we see. Black and white are a little different, but it’s the same concept. Black is really the absence of light. Things that appear black are absorbing most of the light that hits it. White is all colors; things that appear white are reflecting most of the light back. The amount of light reflected from a surface without being absorbed is called the albedo. The more light or energy is absorbed, the lower the albedo. This concept is important for determining the effects of climate change.

The Earth reflects about 30 percent of the sun’s radiation, but not every point on the planet reflects the same amount. For example, snow reflects about 95 percent of the sun’s radiation. Water, on the other hand, absorbs that radiation. It only reflects about 10 percent of the radiation. As the arctic ice melts, it starts to expose the darker regions beneath it. Those darker regions absorb more heat, and cause more melting. This is called arctic amplification, and it’s causing the arctic region to heat up at a much greater rate than the rest of the world.

Marine animals depend on the arctic sea ice for survival. Some such as Polar bears are doing okay in areas where sea ice is holding steady, but they are struggling in areas of sea ice decline. Some arctic vegetation can’t tolerate the new summer heat. Sea level rise will likely cause coastal erosion and flooding, and millions of people around the world are vulnerable to this. All of this is to say that the planet is still warming and the warming is accelerating in possibly the worst possible area of the planet.

ARCTIC’S ‘PENGUINS OF THE NORTH’ ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Brian Clark Howard National Geographic Jan, 2015

The latest research on little auks, sometimes called “penguins of the north,” reveals a surprising response to a rapidly warming Arctic: The birds make up for food lost to the effects of climate change by catching prey that were stunned by the cold water running off melting glaciers—another effect of climate change.

Why It Matters: Little auks are considered especially vulnerable to climate change. The birds are often considered an indicator species of the Arctic, raising red flags for ecological changes.

“It’s good news that the little auks are adapting now, but because the system is changing continuously, we don’t know how long they will be able to keep up. …

… ultimately there is only one thing we can do for little auks, polar bears, and everything else that is affected, that’s to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.”

» Read more about the study
14 February 2015
Victorian Climate Action Calendar: 8 February to 5 April 2015

The latest update of the Victorian Climate Action Calendar covers events from 8 February to 5 April 2015. It can be downloaded here.

A number items of interest are featured below.

• SUSTAINABLE LIVING FESTIVAL – information

• TRANSITIONS FILM FESTIVAL – information & youtube video

• GLOBAL DIVESTMENT DAY – participation invited

• THE HUMAN COST OF POWER – youtube video

• ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INTERRUPTED – youtube video

We are in for a very busy month:

THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING FESTIVAL this year with no less than 300 events, started on on 7 February and will run till 1 March.

The Sustainable Living festival raises awareness and provides tools for change by showcasing leading solutions to the ecological and social challenges we face. It will again present a rich program of home and lifestyle solutions including talks, workshops, art, film, performance and markets to educate and inform the audience about their state of sustainability.
» Visit SLF

THE TRANSITIONS FILM FESTIVAL will start the first of its 20 cutting-edge documentaries and huge range of shorts on 13 February and it will run till 6 March.
The Transitions Film Festival, Australia’s largest sustainability film festival, is dedicated to showcasing inspirational documentaries about the social and technological innovations, revolutionary ideas and trailblazing change-makers that are leading the way to a better world.
» Share the festival trailer on Facebook

GLOBAL DIVESTMENT DAY – 13 & 14 February

Friday and Saturday, people across the country and around the world will break up with fossil fuels and call on others to do the same. Divestment is weakening the political power of the fossil fuel industry so that we can break the climate deadlock and build the solutions the world needs. Together, we’re changing the game and putting fossil fuels on the defensive. Be part of a shift! Here are some important things you can do:

   – Attend your nearest event.

   – Divest your bank

   – Divest your super

   – Change your profile picture on social media to demand divestment

» Click here to register for Global Divestment Day

THE HUMAN COST OF POWER – youtube video (16.3mins)

by the Climate and Health Association.

This film explores the health impacts associated with the massive expansion of coal and unconventional gas in Australia. It was produced by Fiona Armstrong, convenor, Climate and Health Alliance, together with the Public Health Association of Australia and directed by award winning science journalist Alexandra de Blas

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INTERRUPTED (1.25mins)

Many of us learned about our natural environment from David Attenborough. And we all know that when it comes to presenting wildlife documentaries, you can’t outdo David Attenborough – but a rowdy bird of paradise had a pretty good go at it.   Thanks to the bird it took several takes for Sir David to get the sequence just right for his latest project ‘Birds of Paradise’.

Forward this to a friend | Visit vcac.org.au

8 February 2015
Victorian Climate Action Calendar: February–March 2015

This Victorian Climate Action Calendar covers events from 1 February to 30 March 2015.

» Download the calendar here

Four items of interest from the calendar are featured below:

• CLIMATE CHANGE MOVES THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK – information

• CSIRO, BOM RESEARCH SHOWS HOW CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT AUSTRALIA – article

• IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE, AND IT’LL BE SUPER-CHEAP – article

• JOIN OTHERS TO MAKE A FINAL STAND AGAINST THE MAULES CREEK COAL MINE – participation invited

CLIMATE CHANGE MOVES THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK

Last updated in 2012 at five minutes to midnight, the clock has moved forward

two minutes as the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists grows further concerned

about the emissions trajectory.

1947: 7 minutes to midnight

2015 : 3 minutes to midnight

CSIRO BOM RESEARCH SHOWS HOW CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT AUSTRALIA

Droughts will become more intense. Hot days will become more frequent and hotter. Bush fires could become more common and more destructive than ever, ‘severe’ bushfire ratings will become more common. Extreme rainfall events across the nation are likely to become more intense, even where annual-average rainfall is projected to decline.” Oceans will become much warmer and more acidic. Cyclones will decrease, but when they do occur they will be significantly fiercer and occur further south.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE, AND IT’LL BE SUPER-CHEAP

Many problems facing humanity are not straightforward, cheap or easy to solve. Solving climate change however, although not easy to solve, is straightforward we know precisely what needs to be done and the net cost is quite low.”

JOIN IN TO MAKE A FINAL STAND AGAINST THE MAULES CREEK COAL MINE

It has been an amazing journey. We have come together to make clear that we will not stand idly by as coal companies proceed with their damaging expansion plans. Over the past year, hundreds of Australians have come to the Leard State Forest to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and the construction of one of the worst new coal mines in Australia to protect our climate, our environment, and our democracy. People like rugby legend David Pocock and internationally renowned scientist and IPCC contributor Colin Butler, but also everyday heroes – such as doctors, mothers and religious leaders.

In the coming months Whitehaven Coal is determined to continue building their mine, with clearing of the Leard State Forest imminent. Join us to make a final stand against the Maules Creek Coal Mine. Led by our friends at Front Line Action on Coal, Bat Attack will be an incredible 6 day gathering from February 13th – 18th. There will be music, skill shares, workshops, and actions, forest tours and performances from poets, circuses and musicians.

» Register here to join us

Forward this to a friend | Visit vcac.org.au

31 January 2015
Pre-election newsletter late-November 2014

Victorian Climate Action Network
NEWS
Late-November 2014

Victorian election countdown – two days to go

Great effort everyone!

Between us we have had thousands of conversations, collected thousands of pledges and tens of thousands of climate petition signatures, run dozens of forums and hundreds of street stalls, distributed hundreds of house signs and tens of thousands of scorecards, and got plenty of press coverage. This inspiring door-knock video from Geelong Sustainability and GetUp! has already had 34,000 views!

It’s been difficult, though, with Labor and Liberals sticking resolutely to their ‘small target’ strategy on climate, renewables and fossil fuels despite community support for action. Labor came through with some last minute funding for Yackandandah and Newstead, two towns which have set their own targets for a fast transition to 100% renewable energy, and announced a reduced exclusion zone around wind farms. The Greens have announced a plan to close down the dirtiest coal fired power stations. Even the Liberal Party shifted an inch or two, opening the door to possibly allowing some small community-owned wind projects to proceed.

The Labor Party’s four paragraph climate policy released in the week before election day is bold in aspiration, but short on details. They describe climate change as “one of the most critical issues facing Victoria and say they “want to restore Victoria’s status as a model for every other state”. But their $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund to encourage investment in the renewables sector is tiny, and unlikely to do much while uncertainty continues at the federal level, with new attacks on the federal Renewable Energy Target, and no sign of support for a Victorian RET from Labor. State Labor promises to “review legislation and programs to commit to an achievable carbon emissions reduction target”. An achievable target? How about one based on science.

“While Labor’s climate policy contains one sound move, the rest is symbolism and delusion,” commented ClimateSpectator’s Tristan Edis who estimated that, “if they’re lucky, the policy might just reduce Australia’s greenhouse emissions by maybe less than one per cent.”

The question of a Great Forest National Park and the future of the Leadbeaters possum will be referred to a committee if Labor wins, while the Coalition has said it will not establish any new national parks.

Is it that climate campaigning in the inner city marginal Labor/Greens seat has not been sufficiently strong to produce a result? Or has Labor accepted the likelihood of some losses and stopped fighting for the inner city vote? Do they think that things have turned around given their current opposition to the East West Link? Have they not noticed the campaigns in the sandbelt and other key ALP/Coalition marginals?

Election night and the commentary afterwards will be one indication of our success or otherwise. However, regardless of the election outcome, many of us feel that the grassroots campaigning and the improved collaboration between groups is the start of something big. And Tony Abbott certainly seems to have been a help in mobilizing the willingness of ordinary people to step up and make a change!

Scorecards and ratings

Just released, is a great scorecard from Environment Victoria, which is being distributed by EV and GetUp. It links to a comprehensive analysis of the policies of the major parties at EV’s Promise Watch.

Yes 2 Renewables and Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group have produced a stylish scorecard for Macedon electorate.

Grassroots climate groups’ Vote Climate website includes evaluations of the policies of all parties large and small against a climate emergency agenda. The ratings provided the basis for scorecards distributed in Melbourne, Richmond, Northcote and Bendigo electorates.

Friends of the Earth’s MP Watch provides information on what individual members of parliament have said in state parliament on coal, gas and wind as well as party ratings.

Geelong Sustainability and GetUp! Geelong have produced a South-Western Victoria Clean Energy scorecard covering Geelong, Bellarine snf South Barwon electorates. It is based on a candidates’ questionnaire with 13 climate and clean energy questions.

In other news

Tony Abbott was ‘shirt-fronted’ on climate at the G20. And the Climate Guardian Angels got great media coverage blockading the entrance to the talks. Bill Shorten came out to talk to them, possibly signalling an increased willingness to engage on the issue of climate action.

The Queensland government offered to step in with infrastructure support in an attempt to save an Adani Galilee Basin coal project.

And Beyond Zero Emissions have launched two new reports – Land Use: Agriculture and Forestry, and A Fossil Economy in a Changing World.

What’s on in November and December?

The election – and then a bit of a break?

Saturday 29 November – Victorian election. Will Victorians see climate as one of the decisive issues?

Sunday 7 December from 11am to 2pm in Melbourne, venue TBC, VCAN post-election celebratory lunch. Please RSVP to pam.french@optusnet.com.au so we can gauge whether there is energy to go forward with this event.

Coming up in the new year

Sustainable Living Festival from 7 to 28 February 2015 in Melbourne & beyond. www.slf.org.au

27 November 2014

Newsletter early-November 2014

Will Victorians see climate as one of the decisive issues in this election?

Victorian election countdown – 22 days to go

Come to an election forum. Come to several!

It’s a great opportunity to ask the important questions, push for commitments and show that we care.

Sunday 9 November – Portland Candidates Forum (Premier Napthine’s seat). Fawthrop Community Centre, 2pm.

Monday 10 November – Carlton Candidates Forum. Church of All Nations, 180 Palmerston Street, Carlton (cnr Drummond St). 7pm.

Tuesday 11 November – Bendigo Election Forum on Climate. St Pauls Cathedral Hall, 8 Myers Street, Bendigo, 7pm. » www.facebook.com/events

Wednesday 12 November – Public Climate Forum: ‘Does Government Matter?’ Hawthorn Arts Centre (formerly Town Hall), 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. 6:30pm. » www.facebook.com/events

Wednesday 12 November – Climate Q&Afor Northcote electorate and Northern Metro, organised by Darebin Climate Action Now. Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote. 6:30pm.
» www.facebook.com/events

Wednesday 12 November – State Election & Elwood Flood Forum. Question candidates about flooding in Elwood. At Elwood/St Kilda Learning Centre. 7pm. » Flyer: EFLAGCF.pdf | Read more

Friday 14 November – State Election Forum for the seat of Brunswick. Brunswick Uniting Church, 212-214 Sydney Rd Brunswick. 7pm.
» www.facebook.com/events

Friday 14 November – Geelong Clean Jobs Forum and film night – with local candidates, Mark Diesendorf and other speakers. Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Forum: 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Film screening: 6:30pm to 8:15pm.
» Free but email to book: info@geelongsustainability.org.au

Sunday 16 November – Growth and Election Forum. ‘Growth! Is Bigger Better’ has Ian Lowe, David Karoly, and Geoff Carr presenting, along with local candidates. Quicksilver Auditorium, 27 Baines Crs, Torquay. Organised by Surf Coast Energy Group. At 2pm » www.facebook.com/events

Monday 17 November at 7pm. Climate Change & the Victorian Election at Coburg Town Hall, 90 Bell Street. A climate change forum for Moreland citizens. Candidates standing in Brunswick, Broadmeadows and Pascoe Vale are invited. Organised by Climate Action Moreland. Endorsed by Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Moreland Bicycle Users Group, 350 Melbourne, Moreland Community Against the East West Tunnel and MEFL. » Details: MORELAND.pdf | Read more | www.facebook.com/events

Help out in key electorates

There are events on in the key electorates every weekend, and some week-nights, all the way through to the election. The groups campaigning in these seats need help from everyone who has a spare moment.

Inner city – Labor/Greens marginal seats:Inner city groups need help with letter-boxing Vote Climate scorecards 8 November till 16 November, candidates’ forums, house signs, street stalls and door-knocking.
» Contact DarebinCAN@gmail.com to help letter box 27,000 scorecards in Northcote, or go door-knocking to place house signs in prime locations.
» Contact climateactionmoreland@gmail.comto help in in Brunswick, or Yarra Climate Action Now www.ycan.org.au/get-involved/sign-up to help in Melbourne and Richmond.
YCAN are holding a Vote Climate stall at Carlton Farmers Market, Carlton PS, Rathdowne St, from 9am to 1pm on Saturday 15 November. They will also have Vote Climate material for letter boxing Vote Climate house signs.

Prahran: This week GetUp members in Prahran passed two amazing milestones. They now knocked over 3,500 doors and collected more than 1,000 pledges from people in Prahran. With less than a month to go, they’re aiming to have another 1,000 persuasive conversations with neighbours before election day. Join them on Sunday at 2pm at Depo8, 39-41 Mount St Prahran.
» More info on www.field.getup.org.au.
The picture below shows GetUp members about to sit down for a chat with Labor candidate for Prahran Neil Pharaoh.

Sandbelt and Forest Hills: Help Environment Victoria, GetUp and Eastern Climate Action Melbourne collect election pledges at street stalls and door knocking events. Stalls at train stations whenever anyone puts their name down, and every day of the week leading up to the election.
» If you want to help along the Sandbelt, get in touch with Jane:jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.
» If you want to help in Forest Hill, Blackburn South, Burwood East and Vermont South, get in touch with Claire: claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au
Every Tuesday and Wednesday evening till the election, come and help with phone banking at the Environment Victoria Carlton office, 60 Leicester St, Door knocks along the Sandbelt: Every Saturday from now until election: 8 and 15 Nov. Doorknock in Forest Hill Sunday 16 Nov.

Geelong: Over the last two weeks GetUp members have met with local candidates Lisa Neville, Andy Richards and Andrew Katos. The meetings were positive but in all cases they found the lack of certainty on policy to be disappointing. Weekend door knocking continues – they now have knocked over 1,000 doors in the Greater Geelong area. Overwhelmingly greater than 70 per cent of people they talk to support action on climate and renewables and are willing to sign the pledge to ‘vote clean’ this election. The picture shows the team at last Sunday’s door knock in Torquay. There will be door-knocking in Geelong and surrounding areas each Saturday, phone banking at the GetUp! Geelong office each Thursday till the election and a GetUp! dinner on Tuesday 11 November. More details in the What’s On listings below. » RSVP and more info on:field.getup.org.au/geelong

Macedon (home of Hepburn Wind) and Portland (Premier Napthine’s seat) = two key renewables seats: Leigh Ewbank and the Yes 2 Renewables team have all sorts of things on the go. Liberal candidate for the hotly-contested seat of Macedon, Donna Petrovich, has shifted her position on wind energy as a result of a community campaign. And now says she will investigate exemptions from Napthine’s restrictive wind farm laws for community wind farm projects. Today, Labor and Greens candidates joined Yes 2 Renewables at the Hepburn Wind farm to launch Y2R’s Macedon Energy Futures Survey. The report will be publicly available tomorrow. Stand by for more… » See www.facebook.com/Yes2Renewables

Please publicise these election information sources:

Grassroots climate groups’ ‘Vote Climate’: see how the parties – large and small – compare, rated on policies for a climate emergency transition at www.VoteClimate.net.au.

Friends of the Earth’s ‘MP Watch’: Find out what your MP has said in state parliament on coal, gas and wind: www.mpwatch.org.

Environment Victoria’s ‘Promise Watch’: Environment Victoria has created a ‘Promise Watch’ that lists the environment and climate change policy commitments of the major parties. Promise Watch aims to provide factual, spin-free, up-to-date information, publishing the commitments of the political parties on important issues like coal, renewable energy, sustainable homes and protecting our fragile rivers. » Promise Watch scorecard

South-Western Victoria ‘Clean Energy’ scorecard: The Sustainable Hour on 94.7 The Pulse has circulated a questionnaire with 13 climate and clean energy questions to the 17 candidates in Geelong, Bellarine, South Barwon and Lara electorates. The scorecard with their replies will be promoted and advertised by Geelong Sustainability and GetUp Geelong from 17 November at www.geelongsustainability.org.au/scorecard, and the following three Wednesdays at 11am–12pm the candidates will be debating the questions in the radio program which is also astreamed live on the Internet and downloadable as a podcast.

And in other news

At Brisbane Airport, where G20 delegates will soon be arriving, a billboard featuring a farmer asking them to put climate change on the G20 agenda has been banned for being ‘too political’. Meanwhile Chevron is allowed to go ahead with its advertising for fossil fuels. The #onmyagenda billboard is part of a joint campaign by several large organisations. There are three ways you can get involved in this campaign:

1. Host your own G20 Gathering

2. Find a gathering near you

What’s on in November?

Friday 7 November at 7:30pm – Seat of Pascoe Vale Candidate Forum. Coburg Uniting Church.

Saturday 8 November at 10am – Leopold Door Knock, Training and BBQ. Start at Getup Geelong Office.
» RSVP and more info on: field.getup.org.au/geelong

Saturday 8 November from 11am to 12:30pm. Darebin Climate Action Now stall at 451 High Street Northcote outside the Uniting Church. Come and collect a bundle of scorecards for letter-boxing or order a house sign. Let DCAN know you are coming by emailing DarebinCAN@gmail.com and they will allocate you an area to letter-box.

Saturday 8 November – Due date for Monster Climate Petition. » www.monsterclimatepetition.com.au

Sunday 9 November at 2pm – Portland Candidates Forum (Premier Napthine’s seat). Fawthrop Community Centre.

Sunday 9 November from 1pm to 4pm – Building and Maintaining Effective Teams Training, Environment Victoria, 60 Leicester St, Carlton.

Sunday 9 November from 1pm to 4pm – Forest Hill Day of Action. 1pm–1:30pm: meet, pick up T-shirts and clipboards/materials and pre-brief. 1:30pm–3:30pm: door knocking. 3:30–4:00pm: wind-up and head to a nearby park to debrief and have a BBQ and drinks. There will be four simultaneous door knocks in key areas around the electorate, and at this stage, there are around 40 people taking part.

Sunday 9 November at 2pm – Door knocking in Prahran. Meet at Depo8, 39-41 Mount St Prahran.
» More info on www.field.getup.org.au/melbourne_9nov_doorknock

Monday 10 November at 7pm – Carlton Candidates Forum. Church of All Nations, 180 Palmerston Street, Carlton (cnr Drummond Street).

Tuesday 11 November at 7 pm – Bendigo Election Forum on Climate. St Pauls Cathedral Hall, 8 Myers Street, Bendigo. » www.facebook.com/events

Tuesday 11 November at 7pm. GetUp Geelong Pot Luck Dinner, BYO drinks and a savory or sweet dish to share. At the School of Lost Arts in Newtown, Geelong. » RSVP and more info on: field.getup.org.au/geelong

Wednesday 12 November from 10:15am to 11:30am – CommBank AGM in Melbourne. Since 2008, CommBank has loaned $5.2 billion to new coal and gas projects in Australia (second only to ANZ), so it’s time to tell them that enough is enough. Join 350 Melbourne to greet CommBank shareholders with a sea of messages from Australians calling on the Bank to get out of fossil fuels. At the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, 1 Convention Place, South Wharf (the AGM starts at 11am so we will meet at 10:15am sharp atThe General Assembly; if you think you’ll be late call Charlie when you arrive on 0427 485 233).
» RSVP to Charlie Wood – charlie@350.org.au. Dress: Corporate

Wednesday 12 November 7:00–9:30pm – Lighter Footprints candidates’ forum. ‘Does Government Matter?’ Q&A panel and breakout groups for candidates from Kew Hawthorn Burwood and Box Hill. At Hawthorn Arts Centre (formerly Town Hall), Burwood Rd. » www.facebook.com/events

Wednesday 12 November at 6:30pm – Climate Q&A for Northcote electorate and Northern Metro, organised by Darebin Climate Action Now. Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote. 6:30pm for nibbles. Forum starts at 7pm. » www.facebook.com/events

Wednesday 12 November at 7 pm – State Election & Elwood Flood Forum. Question candidates about flooding in Elwood. At Elwood/St Kilda Learning Centre. » Flyer:EFLAGCF.pdf » Read more

Thursday 13 November at 6:30pm – The Future of Gas Supply
University of Melbourne. » Details: MU Website
The emergence of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities in Queensland means that now for the first time eastern Australian gas is linked to the world market. This Energy Futures seminar will explore the impacts this will have on Australians that use gas in their home or business. Will there be adequate supplies now and in the future, and at what wholesale and retail prices? What can and will gas users do to reduce their use of gas, or will they to switch to other energy sources? » Read more

Thursday 13 November at 6pm Geelong Phone Bank at Getup Geelong Office. » RSVP and more info on: field.getup.org.au/geelong

Friday 14 November at 7 pm– State Election Forum for the seat of Brunswick. Brunswick Uniting Church, 212-214 Sydney Rd Brunswick. » www.facebook.com/events

Friday 14 November – Geelong Clean Jobs Forum and film night – with local candidates, Mark Diesendorf and other speakers. Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Forum: 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Film screening: 6:30pm to 8:15pm. » Free but email to book: info@geelongsustainability.org.au

Friday 14 November to Saturday 16 November in Brisbane – G20 summit. Contact Deb Hart at deborah.hart@live.org.au if you would like to be part of a Climate Guardian Angels action in Brisbane.

Saturday 15 November from 9am to 1pm – Vote Climate stall at the Carlton Farmers Market, Carlton Primary School, Rathdowne Street. Organised by YCAN who will also have Vote Climate scorecards for letter boxing and Vote Climate house signs.

Saturday 15 November at 10am – Barwon Heads Door Knock & BBQ. Car pool leaving from Geelong at 9.30am sharp from the GetUp Office, 4 Gheringhap Street, and travelling to Barwon Heads Community Arts Garden, Meeting Room. » RSVP and more info on:field.getup.org.au/geelong

Saturday 15 November – Rally4PT. A large coalition of community groups are organising a joint rally and further public transport campaign moves for the state election. Stay tuned.

Saturday 15 November at 4pm to 10:30pm – Hepburn Wind Sleep under the stars.Australia’s first community-owned wind farm just near Daylesford is inviting you to attend ‘Sleep under the stars’. It’s a family friendly camping event, an evening of art, entertainment and clean energy. Live painting of Gusto by Ghostpatrol and team • Local music by Zebraherd, Kavisha Mazzela, Danny Spooner, the Sweet Justice Choir, and Hayley Couper. You can visit for the evening event only, or you can bring your own tent or hire a luxury tent .Tickets: $50 family pack / $25 adult / $15 members or evening only attendees / $10 kids. » Register now onEventbrite »Join the Facebook event

Sunday 16 November from 1pm to 4pm – Door knocking in Forest Hill.

Sunday 16 November – Growth and Election Forum. ‘Growth! Is Bigger Better’ has Ian Lowe, David Karoly, and Geoff Carr presenting, along with local candidates. Quicksilver Auditorium, 27 Baines Crs, Torquay. 2pm. Organised by Surf Coast Energy Group. www.facebook.com/events

Monday 17 November at 7pm – Climate Change & the Victorian Election at Coburg Town Hall, 90 Bell Street. A climate change forum for Moreland citizens. Candidates standing in Brunswick, Broadmeadows and Pascoe Vale are invited. Organised by Climate Action Moreland. Endorsed by Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Moreland Bicycle Users Group, 350 Melbourne, Moreland Community Against the East West Tunnel and MEFL. » Details:MORELAND.pdf | Read more | www.facebook.com/events

Tuesday 18 November from 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Intelligence Squared Debate: Coal-fired Power will Soon be Obsolete. Organised by Wheeler Centre. Venue: Deakin Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne. Tickets: $20 and $12 concession. » More info on:www.wheelercentre.com

Saturday 22 November from 1pm to 4pm – Second Forest Hill Day of Action. This will be similar to the one on Sunday 9 November, but will consist of a street stall and two door knocks. Stay tuned for a pledge ‘hand-over’ event

Thursday 20 November at 6pm – Geelong Phone Bank Getup Geelong Office (map) in Geelong. » RSVP and more info on: field.getup.org.au/geelong

Monday–Wednesday 25-27 November – Practical Responses to Climate Change Conference in Melbourne. This conference allows engineers, policy makers, scientists, planners, academics and members of the public to present, discuss and debate the latest research and practice relating to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. The conference will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. » Registration.

Wednesday 27 November at 6:30pm – Climate Change: What would you do? Port Melbourne Town Hall. Sustainability Climate Action Network (SCAN) meeting is focussed on climate change and what people in our community are doing about it. Following a brief overview of the latest climate change information, we will be learning about a range of different projects that are going on in our city right now to address some of the issues. We also want to hear your ideas for addressing climate change. » Read more

Saturday 29 November – Victorian election. Will Victorians see climate as one of the decisive issues?

Sunday 7 December from 11am to 2pm in Melbourne, venue TBC – VCAN post-election celebratory lunch.

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7 November 2014

Newsletter mid-October 2014

A4 print

Action all over Victoria this Saturday 18 October

In the city of Melbourne: It’s Divestment Day. Market Forces and 350.org are calling on thousands of customers of ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac to turn out and publicly close their accountsTell the big four banks: “If you choose fossil fuels, we’ll choose another bank!”
Starting at 11:00am at Federation Square, opposite the Swanston St tram stop.
» Sign up atwww.marketforces.org.au/divestmentday.

In the sandbelt and Forest Hill: Environment Victoria and GetUp! are having a huge day of action with door-knocking, street stalls and bike billboards across the electorates of Frankston, Mordialloc and Carrum. They will be asking voters to sign pledge cards.

» To get involved email jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Environment Victoria will also be door-knocking in Forest Hill.
» Contact: claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au

In the ALP/Greens marginal seat of Northcote: join Darebin Climate Action Now at the Fairfield Farmers Market all morning, then come door-knocking to help with the 100 house signs challenge. DCAN are door-knocking priority areas for house signs, including main roads, and houses near schools, railway stations and polling booths. This is a very satisfying form of door-knocking with around one third of those who answer the door being willing to take a Vote Climate house sign. Then on Sunday, it’s house sign delivery day. And Monday will be data entry night! Altogether, grassroots groups aim to find fences for 300 Vote Climate signs. Inner city groups need help from climate groups in non-marginal seats.
» Please email DarebinCAN@gmail.com, climateactionmoreland@gmail.com or www.ycan.org.au/contact

In the Macedon Ranges: join the Ride for Renewables from Black Forest Timbers, 988 Black Forest Drive, Woodend. The ride offers options for the semi-serious mountain-biker as well as those that are interested in a leisurely 13km ride through the pine forest. Starting at 10.00am (staggered start), riding to the site of the proposed community owned wind turbine and through surrounding forest.
» Go to www.mrsgonline.org.au/events/r4r and book your tickets.

Lots of action against coal and gas

AGL offices were occupied in collaborative action by many groups – just the first of many such actions to come.

In Warnambool, on Global Frackdown day, 50 people and a life-like drill rig paraded though town and posted a message on Denis Napthine’s electorate office. Gas exploration is heating up as a hot topic in the Glenelg Shire communities, particularly in Portland and Casterton. Unfrackabool are putting pressure on Warrnambool City Council take a stance against fracking.

ANOTHER Victorian district has labelled itself ‘gasfield free’.
More than 200 people from Wellington and East Gippsland shires converged at the Meerlieu and districts declaration day to celebrate with a ‘No gasfields’ sign made out of utes.
» Read more

Geelong: Several Frack Free groups in the region have been campaigning hard with film evenings, information nights, photo shoots, social media and radio shows, letterboxing, a survey in four communities, a petition, and endless streams of letters, media releases and newsletters in about a year, culminating with a submission process in Council, which received 447 submissions against fracking and only one in defence of it. On 14 October 2014 the city council made a formal decision to reject fracking and call for a permanent ban on onshore gas extraction in the region. On 28 October the council is expected to launch its new Environment Management Strategy which is based on the One Planet Living principles, one of which is the Zero Carbon principle.
» Read more: www.frackfreegeelong.org

Moreland: The City of Moreland has become the first council in Victoria to rule out direct investments in fossil fuels and the first council in Australia to start developing a strategy to move investments away from financial institutions that fund fossil fuel developments. Moreland joins around 30 cities internationally which have made similar commitments, including Seattle, Dunedin, and Oxford.
» Read more:www.climateactionmoreland.org 

The Pacific warriors have arrived

After months of preparation and planning, 30 Pacific Climate Warriors just launched their traditional canoes into the water in Newcastle. They are paddling into the oncoming path of coal ships in an attempt to shut down the world’s largest coal port for a day.
» You can follow the action on 350’s live blog right now

Send a powerful message to the fossil fuel industry that there are others who are joining the Warriors on this fight:
» Add your name to the petition

» Join the Pacific Warriors on Wednesday 22 October from 6:30pmat RMIT Cinema, Level 1, Room 002, 445 Swanston Street. The event will be part story-telling, part performance and a call to action.
» Registration page.

Lots of action on renewable energy

Yes 2 Renewables have been working with Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group to get renewables on the agenda in the state election. They asked local candidates, Jo Morabito (Independent), Donna Petrovich (Liberal), Mary Ann Thomas (ALP) and Neil Barker (Greens) their views on wind farm restrictions and a a Victorian Renewable Energy Target of at least 33% by 2020 and the candidates replied.
» There’s a petition calling for a Victorian RET. Please sign it.

On the last sitting day of state parliament, Yes 2 Renewables hand delivered a submission to the Victorian Red Tape Commissioner calling for the anti-wind farm laws to be investigated by Victoria’s Red Tape Commissioner.

Y2R supporters met with former Liberal Senator Peter Rae who is a strong backer of the 41TWh Renewable Energy Target and wind farms. It’s about time more Liberal politicians followed his lead.

A victory on energy efficiency

The Napthine Government has been trying to introduce legislation to scrap the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET), which is undermining the profits of big coal generators by reducing energy demand. Environment Victoria ran a short, sharp campaign including more than 3000 messages to Denis Napthine, Daniel Andrews and key Frankston Independent Geoff Shaw. Hundreds of Frankston locals called Mr Shaw’s office. They garnered media interest in the issue with stories in the Age, the Frankston Leader, on ABC radio and elsewhere. And they worked to get commitments from the ALP to move amendments to defeat the government’s legislation and retain the VEET target. Knowing that they didn’t have the numbers, the Napthine Government buckled and withdrew their legislation from Parliament. This means that the existing VEET target of 5.4 million tonnes of emissions reduction will stand for 2015.However if the Napthine government is re-elected it has said it will again attempt in the next Parliament to pass legislation to scrap the scheme.
» Read more.

And in other election news …

An interview with Victorian energy minister, Russell Northe, on ABC talk-back with Jon Faine provides more hints that coal seam gas mining may go ahead under Liberals. Listen to what he had to say about the CSG moratorium here. He said that personally he’s on the fence about the industry. He got slammed in the text messages afterwards. He was on radio to launch a new tool on www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au which, if you give enough time to load, shows the most of the state covered in mining licences!

At the Forest Hill candidates forum, run by Eastern Climate Action Melbourne and supported by Environment Victoria, about 140 people heard Liberal incumbent, Neil Angus, Labor’s Pauline Richards and Greens candidate Brewis Atkinson lay out their party’s environmental credentials and take questions on climate change, renewable energy and brown coal exports. Pauline Richards and Brewis Atkinson both unequivocally supported the scientific consensus on climate change, while Neil Angus avoided answering direct questions about his personal beliefs, instead referring to his government’s policies. On all climate change related questions, Neil Angus referred to the government’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan. He avoided responding to a question on why the state government emphasises adaptation over mitigation. Many in the audience laughed when he spoke of his government’s indirect support for national emissions mitigation efforts through the Commonwealth’s Direct Action Plan.
» Read moreForest Hill MP heckled as candidates quizzed on environment

Lighter Footprints continues to dominate letters pages

A sincere apology to Lighter Footprints for accidentally leaving out their group report last time. Their group of 26 champion letter writers have letters published frequently and on 9 October excelled themselves with four letters in The Age!
Is that some kind of record? Please support the hard work of this by coming along to their candidates’ forum on Wednesday 12 November at Hawthorn Arts Centre from 7:00–9:30pm. It’s a big venue!
There will be a Q&A panel and breakout groups for candidates from Kew, Hawthorn, Burwood, and Box Hill.

October events

Friday 17 October. Pascoe Vale Uniting Church (Mel 17 B6) Q & A “What kind of Infrastructure for Victoria?” with Tony Morton (Public Transport Users Association), Carolyn Whitzman (Professor in Urban Planning, University of Melbourne), Andrea Sharam (former Moreland City councillor and affordable housing advocate).

Friday 17 October 7:00pm. Dartmoor, Drumborg and Lyons Declaration and Film Night. Dartmoor Hall – Dinner for farmers and VFF members preceding at Dartmoor Pub. »Contact Michael Greenham 0488 553 803

Saturday 18 October 10am onwards. EV and GetUp! Day of Action in all three sandbelt electorates.
» Contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 18 October. EV door-knocking Forest Hill. » claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 18 October. Divestment Day. Market Forces and 350.org are calling on thousands of customers of ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac to turn out and publicly close their accounts if the banks fail to rule out further support for the dirty fossil fuel industry. » Sign up atwww.marketforces.org.au/divestmentday

Saturday 18 October. The Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group pro-wind mountain bike ride – a Ride for Renewables from Black Forest Timbers, 988 Black Forest Drive, Woodend. The ride offers options for the semi-serious mountain-biker as well as those that are interested in a leisurely 13km ride through the pine forest. Starting at 10.00am (staggered start), riding to the site of the proposed community owned wind turbine and through surrounding forest. » Go to www.mrsgonline.org.au/events/r4r and book your tickets, or email R4R@mrsgonline.org.au. » Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/521386021326146/

Sunday 19 October at 1:00pm. South Gippsland Election Forum at the Football Clubrooms (Walter J Tuck Reserve) Strzelecki Hwy, Mirboo North. Confirmed candidates attending so far are Labor, Greens, Independent and Country Alliance. » Contact: coalandcsgfreemirboonorth@outlook.com.

Sunday 19 October, 11:00–4:00pm. Whitehorse Spring Festival in Nunawading. Environment Victoria market stall, with Concentrated Solar Thermal model on display along with a stack of yard signs for people to take.

Sunday 19 October. Nelson Information Night. Nelson Hall. » Contact Leila Huebner (08) 8738 4037  

Monday 20 October 2014 at 6:30pm. Breakthrough – the new era of climate activism. Already nearly 400 people have registered for this important rare opportunity to hear Paul Gilding, inspiring speaker and author of The Great Disruption, in Melbourne. Don’t miss out. Explore a new era of climate activism that is changing everything about the way we campaign on climate change. Hear from David Spratt on climate disruption and Mark Wakeham on ways for environmental NGOs to respond to the rapid economic transition required to restore a safe climate. Organised by Environment Victoria and the Sustainable Living Foundation. RMIT University Building 80, Level 1, 80/445 Swanston St, Melbourne. »Register at www.breakthrough2014.org

Wednesday 22 October, 7.00pm Macedon Candidates Forumat the Riddells Creek pub.The Forum will be open to all topics – transport, employment, infrastructure or environmental concerns. » Register here.

Wednesday 22 October from 6:30 PM. Pacific Warriors talk at RMIT Cinema (Level 1, Room 002, 445 Swanston St). The event will be part story-telling, part performance and a call to action.
» Registration page.

Friday October 24 to Monday 27 October. Beyond Coal and Gas Conference: Protecting our Heritage, Embracing the Future at Ivory’s Rock, near Ipswich Queensland. It has been a huge year for the campaign to move Australia beyond coal and gas, with the movement growing from strength to strength across the country. The national gathering is a chance to bring people together from all over Australia, to reflect, to share stories and experiences, to learn from one another and to plan how to take the movement to the next level. Speakers include US based solar entrepreneur Danny Kennedy, the founder of Sungevity, and Dr Anne Poelina, a Nyikina Traditional Owner from the Mardoowarra, Lower Fitzroy River. » Website and registration.

Sunday 26 October. State election candidates get chance to reveal CSG stance. Coal and CSG Free Mirboo North is holding a forum for candidates at the state election to explain their policies on unconventional gases. All parties contesting the seat of Gippsland South will take part, including the sitting MP and Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan.
» www.facebook.com/CoalAndCsgFreeMirbooNorth.

Tuesday 28 October, 7.00pm. Gasfield Free Bairnsdale meeting. Neighbourhood House, 27 Dalmahoy Street.
» Contact: gasfieldfreebairnsdale@gmail.com or call Debbie 0448 809 798.

Wednesday 29 October, 5:30pm-8:30pm. EV’s AGM and Environment Celebration night. Come and celebrate Victoria’s magnificent environment in style, as we recognise the incredible environmental leadership across the community and enjoy the hilarious musical stylings of special guest host Bob Downe. » Book here:

Friday 31 October, 6.30pm. Hamilton candidates Forum. Hamilton Performing Arts Centre.
» Contact Helen Henry 0428 742 287.

November–December events

Friday 7 November. Seat of Pascoe Vale Candidate Forum – Coburg Uniting Church commencing at 7:30pm.

Saturday 8 November. Due date for Monster Climate Petition.

Sunday 9 November. EV – Building and Maintaining Effective Teams Training, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, 1:00–4:00pm.

Wednesday 12 November 7:00–9:30pm. Lighter Footprints candidates’ forum. Q&A panel and breakout groups for candidates from Kew Hawthorn Burwood and Box Hill. At Hawthorn Arts Centre (formerly Town Hall), Burwood Rd.

Wednesday 12 November at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start. Darebin Climate Action Now Northcote Candidate Forum, Northcote Town Hall.

Friday 14 November, Brunswick Candidate Forum, Brunswick Uniting Church commencing at 7:30pm.

Friday 14 November to Saturday 16 November in Brisbane. G20 summit.

Saturday 15 November Rally4PT. A large coalition of community groups are organising a joint rally and further public transport campaign moves for the state election. Stay tuned.

_______________________________________________

Victorian election

Saturday 29 November. Will Victorians see climate as one of the decisive issues?

VCAN post-election celebratory lunch.
Sunday 7 December 11.00am-2.00pm in Melbourne, venue TBC.

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VCAN Newsletter mid-October is out – with lots of action news! – on http://t.co/95N3P6DCas @climatenews pic.twitter.com/MxwjnW8rNp

— VCAN (@VCAN_net) October 17, 2014

» This newsletter is found on: www.vcan.net.au/2014/10/17/newsletter-mid-october-2014

A4 print

» For print: A4 document (PDF, 6 pages)

17 October 2014
Newsletter early-October 2014

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People’s Climate Mobilisation

Around the world hundreds of thousands marched on 21 September, including 388,000 people filling 80 blocks in New York. Watch this short and inspiring video.

In Melbourne there were around 30,000 people, 900 in Geelong and smaller numbers in towns including Metung.

Eastern Climate Action Melbourne and the Baby Boomers did a great job of getting the Vote Climate message out. Have a look at the screen-printed placards featuring prominently in this picture below – the main photo in The Age’s coverage.

However, Tony Abbott failed to join over 120 world leaders this week at the UN Climate Summit – despite 350.org’s dare. Julie Bishop tried to put a positive spin on the Liberal’s Emissions Reduction Fund.
» See the 5-minute video.

However, Australia’s stance was savagely condemned.

Australia and Canada have been described as an ‘Axis of Carbon’ and were rated last and second last on climate action amongst developed nations on the 2014 Climate Change Performance Index. According to Inside Climate News, it appears Australia may be seeking to derail the 2015 talks in Paris.

Breakthrough – The New Era of Climate Activism

Explore a new era of climate activism that is changing everything about the way we campaign on climate change. Here’s your chance to hear David Spratt presenting his important paper, Dangerous climate change: Myths & reality, together with Paul Gilding talking about the role of the market, activism and policy in making an emergency speed transition away from fossil fuels. This event is presented by Environment Victoria and the Sustainable Living Festival and Mark Wakeham will be the third speaker, exploring ways for environmental NGOs to respond to the extent of the climate crisis and the rapid economic transition required to restore a safe climate.
Monday 20 October at 6:30pm. RMIT University Building 80, Level 1, 80/445 Swanston St, Melbourne.
» Register at www.breakthrough2014.org

Campaigning for renewables

There were Rally for Renewables protestsat the offices of several prominent federal politicians including around 200 people at the office of Andrew Robb. Great coverage in the Herald Sun including this picture!

One of Friends of the Earth’s main ‘asks’ this election is a call for a Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET). The Greens have come out in support on several occasions. At an electoral forum organized by a number of large environmental NGOs, Victorian Greens party leader Greg Barber and Greens candidate for the seat of Melbourne, Ellen Sandell, supported a VRET and made a number of commitments regarding climate action, renewable energy and phasing out fossil fuels.
» Read about the Greens forum.

At a similar election forum with the ALP, Lily D’Ambrosio, shadow minister for energy, and Lisa Neville, shadow minister for the environment, would not commit to a VRET when prompted. But now it seems that the ALP is getting close to supporting the policy. This week, Labor candidate for Ripon, Daniel McGlone, told The Maryborough Advertiser, “Daniel Andrews has made a commitment that should the RET be scrapped at a federal level Labor will re visit the VRET and re-instate it,” he said. “I’m obviously going to be deeply in favour of that.” A super majority of Victorians support state government policies to encourage more renewable energy.
» Please send a message to Daniel Andrews, Leader of the Opposition daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Will the Liberals take up the offer of a Liberal Party forum on the environment, organised by the same large NGOs as the ALP and Greens forums?

Stay tuned. But don’t hold your breath!

Fossil fuel industry reports

Billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on fossil fuels. But exactly how much it all adds up to has been the subject of a heated public debate between The Australia Institute and the Minerals Council. In June 2014, The Australia Institute released research which estimated state governments spent $17.6 billion on the minerals and fossil fuel industries over the last six years. In mid-September, the various minerals councils released their own report arguing that most of the money is investment that gets paid back, so shouldn’t be considered as industry assistance. Australia Institute have fought back with some facts and figures based on what the mining states say when they go cap-in-hand to the Commonwealth asking for money (or trying to hand over less royalties) and arguing about the cost of the subsidies.

» Watch Richard Dennis debate the NSW Minerals Council on the 7.30 Report. Read more from Michael West in the SMH. More information from the Australia Institute coming soon or email:rod@tai.org.au

Another report well worth reading is Fossil Fuels, Global Warming and Democracy: A Report from a Scene of the Collision by Dr Kevin Taft from the Whitlam Institute, University of Western Sydney. Taft argues that democracy is caught in a collision between two forces: the need to respond to global warming by cutting carbon emissions, and the demands of the fossil fuel industry to increase carbon use and production. He says that the struggle to respond effectively to global warming is also the struggle to preserve democracy. “Neither democracy nor a healthy environment will prevail without a tough, smart, and prolonged effort. In both Canada and Australia that effort will need to be driven not by elites, but by the mass of citizens who demand a better future than the bleak and smouldering one that science currently says is on offer.”
» Download the report (PDF, 20 pages)

State election – in less than two months now

Find a first time voter and encourage them to go to Election Question 2014. The top three questions pitched by first time voters in each and every electorate across the State will be put to candidates for a direct response.

Public Transport not Traffic have continued their powerful campaign against the East-West Link. For coming campaigning opportunities, check their website. Watch this great new video clip made to combat the state government’s propaganda ads.

The Transport Forums have been well attended. Only one more to go now – in Monash. Videos of the presentations by politicians for each forum are available. The Darebin forum (in the marginal ALP/Greens state seat of Northcote) saw some tense moments as Fiona Richardson, sitting ALP member took on Cr Trent McCarthy, Greens candidate for Northcote, and Gladys Liu, Liberal candidate for Northern Metro. A Darebin Climate Action Now member was able to ask a question on the East-West Link and whether the ALP would use their temporary majority on this issue (with support from Geoff Shaw) to pass a motion opposing the signing of the contracts. The Moreland Transport Forum (in the marginal ALP/Greens state seat of Brunswick) was held just a few hours after Premier Denis Napthine signed the East West Link contracts. Climate Action Moreland members attended handing out their leaflet, East West Tunnel equals Climate Madness, and the VCAN climate science postcard. The most highly rated question for the night came from CAM and drew attention to deaths from heat waves, the effects of heat waves on public transport and the need to reduce fossil fuel use in transport.
» Read more here.

The Vote Climate campaign in inner city marginal Labor/Greens seats is gathering momentum. Next step is the distribution of hundreds of Vote Climate house signs.
» If your group would like some, please email Darebin at CAN@gmail.com.

Environment Victoria, GetUp! And local climate groups are continuing to campaign hard in Prahran, Forest Hill, and three sandbelt electorates. There are lots of door-knocking and street stalls planned. See coming events for a list of Environment Victoria events. EV are also holding weekly phone banking sessions between 5:00pm and 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 60 Leicester St, Carlton. » Contact janestabb@gmail.com.

And there is an EV house sign – that’s it in the picture.

At the People’s Climate March, 400 GetUp members pledged to Vote Clean at this year’s Victorian state election on 29 November. Talking to voters directly is how GetUp intends to create the people power needed to shift all the major parties to do better by our environment. Thousands of GetUp members will be getting together to knock on neighbours’ doors, make phone calls to undecided voters, and hold stalls and community events that get our local politicians’ attention. In the last three weeks alone, Victorian GetUp members have already had more than 1,125 conversations with voters. This is a new style of grassroots campaigning for GetUp.
» For GetUp!’s coming events click here for Melbourne events, here for Frankston events, and here for Geelong events. » Pledge at voteclean.org.au.

The push for coal and gasfield free communities is gathering momentum in regional Victoria. The editor of the Weekly Times told ABC Melbourne that the number two issue for regional voters is onshore gas mining – second only to the usual concern, infrastructure, roads and public transport. He said communities are up in arms about gas, and every time they publish an article about it they get more letters about it than anything else. It would be very important for the parties to respond to it and that Victoria isn’t treating it like any other state has, he said.

The city of Greater Geelong appear to be close to making a statement opposing unconventional gas mining. Liberal Party councillor and former mayor Stretch Kontelj made a speech at the climate rally in Geelong. A great campaign by the Moriac, Freshwater Creek, Geelong, Grovedale and Torquay groups. Council’s call for submissions on unconventional gas closed on Friday with over 400 submissions from Geelong citizens and organisations. A number of them are posted here.

Shut It Down – the campaign to close the Anglesea Power Station have been approaching companies to rule out purchasing this brown coal dinosaur. So far nine companies have ruled themselves out. Read more.

In Gippsland East, climate activist and independent climate emergency candidate, Peter Gardner addressed a crowd of 200 at Metung.
» Read more.

October events

Saturday 4 October. EV Campaign skills training (field campaigning) held in conjunction with the VTHC, Victorian Trades Hall Building, 54 Victoria St, Carlton, 9:30am–1:00pm. » Contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 4 October at 7:00pm, Deans Marsh. Dance for Lock the Gate. Concert and Fundraiser with Mountain Grey & Rondo. At Deans Marsh Memorial Hall, Pennyroyal Valley Rd, Deans Marsh. » Contact Seona Gunn (03) 5236 3384.

Sunday 5 October. Rock 4 Renewables Fundraiser with Empat Lima, Alysia Manceau, Danny Walsh Banned, and Nun of the Tongue. Plus DJ Emma Peel (PBS) & DJ Knave Knixx (Shack Shakers). Gasometer, 484 Smith St, Collingwood.

Sunday 5 October, 1.00pm-4.00pm. EV door knock Vermont South. » claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Sunday 5 October from 12md. Meerlieu & Districts Declaration Day & Ute Sign! Including Goon Nure, Bengworden, Meerlieu & Perry Bridge. At Meerlieu Hall, Lindenow-Meerlieu Rd. Ute sign & speeches from 2pm. Cakes, sausage sizzle, kanga cricket, jumping castle, face painting and more. » Email gasfieldfreebairnsdale@gmail.com

Sunday 5 October. Nelson Unconventional Gas Information Night. »Contact Leila: leila.huebner@exemail.com.au.

Sunday 5 October 12:00pm. Gasfield Free West Alliance Meeting in Portland RSL, Percy St.
» Contact Chloe Aldenhoven 0432 328 107

Tuesday 7 October at 2:00–4:00pm. Symposium with Nicole Foss at 680 High Street, Thornbury. Nicole is an international speaker on the economy and environment. She was one of the keynote speakers at the National Climate Summit in Brisbane and was featured on Big Ideas last month. Organised by Women’s Health in the North.

Tuesday 7 October 7:00pm. Gasfield Free Torquay action meeting. Patagonia, Sufcoast Hwy.
» Contact Elizabeth Packett 0414 891 766.

Thursday 9 October at 7:30–9:00pm. State Election Forum in St Anne’s Hall, corner Windella Ave and Beresford St, with the Kew candidates standing in the upcoming election attending. Organised by Kew East Residents Association.

Friday 10 October. TEDx Melbourne Conference Off the Grid. Find out more about speakers: www.tedxmelbourne.com/speakers. Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Plenary 1).

Saturday 11 October. Global Frackdown Day – an international day of action initiated by Food & Water Watch to ban fracking. The event aims to unite concerned residents everywhere for a day of action to send a message to elected officials across the globe that we want a future powered by clean, renewable energy – not dirty, polluting fossil fuels.Watch for local events: www.globalfrackdown.org/events-2014 including Warrnambool Global Frackdown: Venue and time TBC » Contact Nadia Collis 0426 261 344

Saturday 11 October, 10.30am -12.30pm. Shut It Down Action Meeting at the Anglesea Community Hall. The campaign to shut down the Anglesea coal-fired power station is at a critical juncture with the sale of the power station imminent and the state election approaching. » RSVP – surfcoastairaction@gmail.com.

Saturday 11 October, 9.00am-12.00md. EV street stall at Vermont South.
» Contact claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 11 October and Sunday 12 October at 10:00am–4:00pm. Lock the Gate Victoria Stall @ Garden Expo, Lardner Park (10 mins from Warragul). » Email: noah.bk@foe.org.au.

Sunday 12 October. EV Persuasive Conversations Training, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, 1:00–4:00pm.
» Contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Sunday 12 October. Run with Doctors for the Environment Australia in the Melbourne Marathon Festival.Support for action to address the ill health resulting from damage from fossil fuels.Everybody from new runners to seasoned experts welcome. » Find more information and register here.

Sunday 12 October at 10:30am. Gippsland Alliance meeting. At Lavalla College, Traralgon, classroom at the back. Representatives from all over Gippsland get together every six weeks to work together on projects, support and inspire. » If you have not attended before please RSVP to: csgfreepoowong@hotmail.com.

Monday 13 Octpber at 6:00–7:30pm. ‘Climate Change: Are we up for the challenge?’ Miegunyah Lecture by Prof Sir Brian Hoskins, hosted by the School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, the EU Centre on Shared Complex Challenges, the Melbourne Energy Institute and the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute.
» For more information, click here.

Wednesday 15 October at 7:30pm. Yarram Gasfield Information Night. At Regent Theatre, Main Street. Expert Speaker: Mark Ogge from the Australia Institute. » For more info contact Julie 0429 464486.

Wednesday 15 October at 7:30–9:00pm. Climate Change: Risks and Opportunities. Bayside Climate Change Action Group and Brighton Secondary College to present an evening of presentations and Q&A at Brighton Secondary College, 120 Marriage Road, Brighton East. Speakers: Rob Gell, David Karoly, Kirsty Albion, and Jennifer Lauber Patterson (chair). Gold coin donation at the door. » RSVP: Eventbrite (free ticket). Contact: Tim Forcey – 0419 019 864.

Friday 17 October. Pascoe Vale Uniting Church (Mel 17 B6) Q & A “What kind of Infrastructure for Victoria?” with Tony Morton (Public Transport Users Association), Carolyn Whitzman (Professor in Urban Planning, University of Melbourne), Andrea Sharam (former Moreland City councillor and affordable housing advocate).

Friday 17 October 7:00pm. Dartmoor, Drumborg and Lyons Declaration and Film Night. Dartmoor Hall – Dinner for farmers and VFF members preceding at Dartmoor Pub. » Contact Michael Greenham 0488 553 803

Saturday 18 October 10am onwards. EV and GetUp! Day of Action in all three sandbelt electorates.
» Contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 18 October. EV door-knocking Forest Hill. » Contact claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 18 October. Divestment Day. Market Forces and 350.org are calling on thousands of customers of ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac to turn out and publicly close their accounts if the banks fail to rule out further support for the dirty fossil fuel industry. » Sign up at www.marketforces.org.au/divestmentday

Saturday 18 October. The Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group pro-wind mountain bike ride – a Ride for Renewables from Black Forest Timbers, 988 Black Forest Drive, Woodend. The ride offers options for the semi-serious mountain-biker as well as those that are interested in a leisurely 13km ride through the pine forest. Starting at 10.00am (staggered start), riding to the site of the proposed community owned wind turbine and through surrounding forest. » Go to www.mrsgonline.org.au/events/r4r and book your tickets, or email R4R@mrsgonline.org.au. » Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/521386021326146/

Sunday 19 October at 1:00pm. South Gippsland Election Forum at the Football Clubrooms (Walter J Tuck Reserve) Strzelecki Hwy, Mirboo North. Confirmed candidates attending so far are Labor, Greens, Independent and Country Alliance. » Contact: coalandcsgfreemirboonorth@outlook.com.

Sunday 19 October at 11:00–4:00pm. Whitehorse Spring Festival in Nunawading. Environment Victoria market stall, with Concentrated Solar Thermal model on display along with a stack of yard signs for people to take.

Sunday 19 October. Nelson Information Night. Nelson Hall. » Contact Leila Huebner (08) 8738 4037  

Monday 20 October 2014 at 6:30pm. Breakthrough – the new era of climate activism. Organised by Environment Victoria and the Sustainable Living Foundation. Explore a new era of climate activism that is changing everything about the way we campaign on climate change. RMIT Building 80, Level 1, 80/445 Swanston St. » Register here.

Wednesday 22 October, 7.00pm Macedon Candidates Forumat the Riddells Creek pub.The Forum will be open to all topics – transport, employment, infrastructure or environmental concerns. » Register here.

Wednesday 22 October from 6:30 PM. Pacific Warriors talk atRMIT Cinema (Level 1, Room 002, 445 Swanston St). The event will be part story-telling, part performance and a call to action.
» Registration page.

Friday October 24 to Monday 27 October. Beyond Coal and Gas Conference: Protecting our Heritage, Embracing the Future at Ivory’s Rock, near Ipswich Queensland. It has been a huge year for the campaign to move Australia beyond coal and gas, with the movement growing from strength to strength across the country. The national gathering is a chance to bring people together from all over Australia, to reflect, to share stories and experiences, to learn from one another and to plan how to take the movement to the next level. Speakers include US based solar entrepreneur Danny Kennedy, the founder of Sungevity, and Dr Anne Poelina, a Nyikina Traditional Owner from the Mardoowarra, Lower Fitzroy River. » Website and registration.

Sunday 26 October. State election candidates get chance to reveal CSG stance. Coal and CSG Free Mirboo North is holding a forum for candidates at the state election to explain their policies on unconventional gases. All parties contesting the seat of Gippsland South will take part, including the sitting MP and Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan.
» www.facebook.com/CoalAndCsgFreeMirbooNorth.

Tuesday 28 October, 7.00pm. Gasfield Free Bairnsdale meeting. Neighbourhood House, 27 Dalmahoy Street.
» Contact: gasfieldfreebairnsdale@gmail.com or call Debbie 0448 809 798.

Wednesday 29 October, 5:30pm-8:30pm. EV’s AGM and Environment Celebration night. Come and celebrate Victoria’s magnificent environment in style, as we recognise the incredible environmental leadership across the community and enjoy the hilarious musical stylings of special guest host Bob Downe. » Book here:

Friday 31 October, 6.30pm. Hamilton candidates Forum. Hamilton Performing Arts Centre.
» Contact Helen Henry 0428 742 287.

November–December events

Friday 7 November. Seat of Pascoe Vale Candidate Forum – Coburg Uniting Church commencing at 7:30pm.

Saturday 8 November. Due date for Monster Climate Petition.

Sunday 9 November. EV – Building and Maintaining Effective Teams Training, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, 1:00–4:00pm.

Wednesday 12 November 7:00–9:30pm. Lighter Footprints candidates’ forum. Q&A panel and breakout groups for candidates from Kew Hawthorn Burwood and Box Hill. At Hawthorn Arts Centre (formerly Town Hall), Burwood Rd.

Wednesday 12 November at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start. Darebin Climate Action Now Northcote Candidate Forum, Northcote Town Hall.

Friday 14 November at 7:30pm, Brunswick Candidate Forum, Brunswick Uniting Church

Friday 14 November to Saturday 16 November in Brisbane. G20 summit.

_______________________________________________

Victorian election
Saturday 29 November. Will Victorians see climate as one of the decisive issues?

VCAN post-election celebratory lunch
Sunday 7 December 11.00am–2.00pm in Melbourne, venue TBC.

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» For print: A4 document (PDF, 8 pages)

3 October 2014
Newsletter mid-September 2014
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People’s Climate Mobilisation

Already more than 1,300,000 people worldwide have signed up via Avaaz. » Watch the movie ‘Disruption’ to be inspired by the vast scale of the preparations in New York:
www.350.org/disruption-a-new-movie-for-the-movement

Join millions of people in a global day of climate action. Over 1,500 (and counting) climate marches, rallies and events around the planet. 97 events have been registered in Australia, 17 in Victoria. In New York, almost 950 NGOs are collaborating about what is expected to become the largest climate action rally in history.

In Melbourne, the rally starts at 11am. More details and links in September calendar below.

Progress on wind farm laws and VRET

Friends of the Earth are getting some traction around the need to re-write the anti wind laws (called VC82), with the state government recently agreeing to the first amendment of the current law. www.melbourne.foe.org.au/wind_laws. This was followed by a statement from state Coalition government representative, Simon Ramsay, MP, at the Portland Renewable Energy Forum, that the government would ‘consider’ exempting community owned wind projects from the current No Go Zones in key wind regions across the state. FOE/Yes2Renewables are working to get support for exemptions as the next tangible outcome in this campaign.

One of FOE’s key election asks is for a Victorian renewable energy target (VRET). The Greens have supported this, and the ALP are getting closer. With Abbott moving to gut the national RET, the need for a state target – and state leadership on climate change – is more important than ever.
› FOE’s election asks can be found here: www.melbourne.foe.org.au/victorian_state_election2014

Environment Victoria (EV) have also sent their 10 policy asks to the major parties and have heard back from the Greens, but not from either ALP or Coalition

ALP comes out against East-West Link

The Public Transport Not Traffic team have been busy out street stalling and door knocking across Melbourne, and particularly Frankston, where – with a little encourage from this campaign – the local member Geoff Shaw has come out opposed to the East West Link!

There has been intense pressure on the ALP to take a stronger stand on opposing the East West Link, including a series of forums organised by the Public Transport Users Association, and finally they have moved from saying they would honour any contracts that are signed before the election, to saying they will side with the two local councils in their court challenge against the project, thus making it unlikely that a legally binding contract will be signed.

30,000 climate science postcards

Darebin Climate Action Now, Climate Action Moreland, Yarra Climate Action Now, Lighter Footprints and a number of other climate groups have together distributed nearly all of an initial print run of 30,000 climate science postcards. Initial reaction has been very positive, with volunteers keen to use the cards for door-knocking and street stalls as well as letter-boxing nearly the whole of Northcote electorate. There are only 250 left.
» If your group would like some, please email Darebin: CAN@gmail.com

Environment Victoria, GetUp! and local groups

GetUp’s four new organisers are working across three electorate clusters – Albert Park/Prahran, Sandbelt and Geelong – and they have a fourth organiser based in universities. EV and GetUp! are working closely together in the sandbelt, and more broadly collaborating across election campaign – they both chipped in for two billboards and some newspaper advertising around the ‘Four out of five Victorians’ theme and both are using similar pledge cards. Community contact is going well. EV are halfway to their community conversations goal in both Frankston and Carrum, a bit further behind in Forest Hill and Mordialloc. The process is going well, “a real mix between engaging brand new people who would never have cared about the environment before, and a few people who still don’t care!”.

The Enviro Hub in Frankston continues to be a hive of activity. Paul Edbrooke, Labor Candidate for Frankston (pictured) stopped by to talk about why he cares about the environment and Geoff Shaw MP dropped in to talk about what the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target means for Frankston. Still waiting for a visit from Sean Armistead – Liberal for Frankston!

GetUp! in Prahran officially launched their campaign last week and GetUp! organiser, Anthony was joined by 17 local volunteers last weekend for a big door-knocking effort.

Geelong is buzzing in election build-up

Lots happening in and around Geelong with many groups cooperating and collaborating with each other – such as Sustainability Geelong, Frack Free Geelong, Gasfield Free Torquay, Transition East Geelong, Transition South Barwon, Surf Coast Energy Group, Surf Coast Air Action, Centre for Climate Safety, Yes2Renewables/Friends of the Earth, Lock the Gate and GetUp. Focus is on the marginal electorates of South Barwon (Coalition), Ballerine (Labor) and the not so marginal Geelong (Labor).

Full time GetUp organiser Dan Cowdell is doing wonders together with about 30 volunteers in Geelong and 20 in Torquay so far, and about the same in Barwon Heads. Concerted strategic campaign in lead up to the election: letter writing, visiting pollies, establishing relationships with local media, vote clean pledges, well over 100 so far. Kitchen table conversations, door knocking, letter boxing and two public information evenings about fracking on the same night – one in Geelong and one in Torquay. Four communities around Moriac declared themselves gasfield free on Sunday. Giddyup! Dates in the calendar below.

A song, a video and a book

Sing for the Climate is a great song. It was sung in large crowds in Belgium. Very uplifting! www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGgBtHoIO4g

In case you missed it, this is an amusing video illustrating what real balance on the climate science would look like on a tv talk show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjuGCJJUGsg

Change or be changed. But make no mistake … This Changes Everything. A new book by Naomi Klein out soon. www.thischangeseverything.org

Coal and gasfield free communities

There are now 25 Coal or Gasfield Free communities in Victoria, with another 40 working towards joining them, and that’s not counting the towns like Torquay and Apollo Bay which have declared without a formal survey process. This fastgrowing and powerful campaign is driven by a group of tireless volunteers and just two incredibly committed part-time employees Quit Coal and Friends of the Earth have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help support this amazing effort. Watch and share the crowdfunding video and donate.

On 14 September the communities of Moriac, Mount Moriac, Paraparap and Freshwater Creek – just to the west of Geelong – declared themselves gasfield free. The local community was joined by state and federal politicians from all the major parties for taking this important stand. Check out the intensive coverage on www.facebook.com/FrackFreeMoriac

Hazelwood fire review and Morwell independent

The ongoing enquiries into the Hazelwood fire continue to make this coal-fired dinosaur an election issue.
There is a Voices for the Valley independent running against Victorian Minister for Energy, Russell Northe, in Morwell. www.theage.com.au/victoria/morwell-residents-to-get-a-vote-on-who-to-vote-for-20140907-10dlf9.html

The Climate and Health Alliance and the Climate Council have released a Joint Statement on Health Effects of Coal in Australia in response to the Inquiry Report from the Hazelwood coal mine fire in Victoria. The fire inquiry report is available here: www.report.hazelwoodinquiry.vic.gov.au. A briefing paper from the Climate Council on the Health Effects of Coal is available here: www.climatecouncil.org.au/health-effects-of-coal. Please share using the hashtags #coal and #health on Twitter and tagging CAHA’s Twitter handle @healthy_climate

Save the Renewable Energy Target

The future of the multi-billion dollar rooftop solar industry in Australia is looking more secure after Labor leader Bill Shorten pledged support for the small-scale component of the renewable energy target to stay as is. Shorten’s pledge on the rooftop solar scheme comes as he prepares to join the Save Solar campaign, which moves this week to the marginal Sydney seat of Barton this week, and reflects the growing traction that solar is having as an emerging political issue. The Australian Solar Council is to move its campaign to the Melbourne seat of Deakin in October and will also target the state elections in Victoria, Queensland, and NSW.

» Read more:www.reneweconomy.com.au/2014/rooftop-solar-future-boosted-as-labor-pledges-support-90553

The Australian Conservation Foundation are conducting a letters and email campaign. Let your local Member of Parliament know you support the RET. And support the GetUp! campaign to dump the ‘Big Three’ energy suppliers who are working to destroy the renewable energy industry.
» Read more: www.getup.org.au/campaigns/renewable-energy/switch/victorians-switch-to-save-renewables.

Solar Citizens recently published (and sent to all MPs and Senators) their third set of Solar Revolution Briefers which highlight solar uptake around the country – with figures tailored to each federal electorate and state. You can download from it from www.solarcitizens.org.au/solarbriefers_3. Useful for politician visits about the RET.

Divestment pressure creates change

For the first time outside the USA, one of the world’s largest banks will be pressured to disclose the risks to its lending and investment portfolios from climate change. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has tabled a resolution at its forthcoming AGM filed by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility and a group of CBA shareholders supported by the Asset Owners Disclosure Project (AODP) and 350.org Australia. The resolution will be the first to focus on climate change and disclosure since a similar resolution to Woodside Petroleum in 2011. The AGM is to be held on the 12November 2014.

The local divestment campaign was featured in a two page spread in the Age and The Sydney Morning Herald: www.smh.com.au/national/climate-activisms-new-frontier-is-targeting-fossil-fuel-investors-20140912-10fxoc.html

In August, Moreland Council told the Commonwealth Bank that unless they stop investing in fossil fuels they will take their business elsewhere. This is an encouraging move and sets a bit of a precedent for other councils to do likewise.

September events

Wednesday 17 September. 24 Hours of Reality: 24 Reasons for Hope.This day-long event will highlight the growing momentum for solutions to global warming, and kick off 12 months of concerted climate action. » Find out more:www.24hoursofreality.org

Wednesday 17 September at 7:30pm. Korumburra Gasfield Free organising meeting at Korumburra Library Community Meeting Room. » For more info email: csgfreepoowong@hotmail.com

Wednesday 17 September, 7:00–10:00pm. Fundraising dinner for Australian Religious Response to Climate Change in South Melbourne at Shakahari restaurant. www.arrcc.org.au/news-a-events/event/details/220

Wednesday 17 September at 7.30pm. Korumburra Gasfield Free organising meeting at Korumburra Library Community Meeting Room. For more info email: csgfreepoowong@hotmail.com

Thursday 18 September,5:00–6:30pm in Melbourne CBD. Help build momentum for the People’s Climate Mobilisation by being part of a flash mob and leafletting event.
» Contact: annamalos@yahoo.com.

Thursday 18 September, 7:00pm in Torquay. Unconventional Gas Information Night at Surf World, Surf City Plaza, Beach Road, Torquay. » Contact Liz Packett 0414 891766.

Thursday 18 September, 7:00–9:00pm in Geelong. Gas rush information night – a public meeting about onshore gas extraction in City of Greater Geelong. Free admission. At Manifold Heights Baptist Church. Corner Shannon Ave and Volum St. Manifold Heights. Come and ask questions to a panel of independent authorities about onshore gas. Panel members are Dr Merryn Redenbach, Dr Rye Senjen and Ben Courtice. Includes a short film which focuses on why communities in Gippsland are opposing gas.
» Find out more: www.climatesafety.info/gasrush

Friday 19 September, 6:30pm dinner, 7:00pm Gasfield Free Seaspray meeting at Seaspray Hall.
» Contact: csgfreeseaspray@hotmail.com.

Friday 19 September to Sunday 21 September. Australian climate summit in Brisbane.Check out the full program here, and download the pdf here. In addition to the fabulous speakers, there are hands-on workshops for skilling-up, graded for all levels of experience, and there’s plenty of food for more than just thought. The Summit’s activities are divided into four key areas, including:
- Brain Food: Get Your Facts Fix – climate and science updates, major national campaigns and plans from the big NGOs and grassroots networks.
- Let’s do it! Get your hands-on training in media management, non-violent direct action, ‘democracy school’, transition training, divestment from fossil fuels, Gas Free Communities, and much more.
- Can We Talk? Learn how to have those difficult but meaningful conversations across the political divides, within the family, at work, at play/sport, and in business. With real insights and practical tips.
- Heart & Soul: Repair from despair! Do something for your inner activist with a range of fabulous workshops, films, and music. Includes the “Cut the Crap” stand up climate comedy competition, with local and well-known comedians.
» Read more about the Summit here in SHIFT magazine, and sign up to attend here.

» www.climatesummit.org.au

Saturday 20 September. Doorknocking in Frankston and east. For Frankston, contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au. For eastern suburbs claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 20 September. Doorknocking in Frankston and Vermont South, 10:00am–1:00pm. For bayside events contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au. For eastern suburbs claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Sunday 21 September. People’s Climate March in Melbourne. And lots of other locations around Australia and around the world. These marches are in support the People’s Climate Mobilisation at the United Nations Global Climate Summit in New York. The aim is to be the world’s largest climate march.
- The People’s Climate March, Melbourne. Meet at 11:00am State Library of Victoria 328 Swanston St and march through the city to Treasury Gardens.
- Climate Talk at 7:30pm, Lower Plenty Scout Hall Maskell Cres.
- Geelong wants climate action at 11:00am, Transvaal Square, Geelong Waterfront 1 Yarra Street.
- Castlemaine Climate Mobilisation at 11:00am Castlemaine Market Building and Victory Park Mostyn St
- Bendigo Global People’s Climate March at 11:00am, Rosiland Park, Bendigo Rosiland Park.
» RSVP: www.act.350.org/event/peoples_climate/7675/signup

Sunday 21 September to 20 October. Climate walk to Canberra with a petition to parliament asking for real action on climate change. » See more on www.climatewalk.org.au

Monday 22 September, 7.30pm. ALP panel discussion: energy transition to a low carbon economy. Kew Library. Lighter Footprints state election meeting in Kew. A chance to listen to and question an ALP politician and an expert on climate change issues.

Tuesday 23 September, 6.00pm to 7.30pm. Election environment forum – Labor.
At the RMIT University – Swanston Academic Building, 445 Swanston St, #80. Environment Victoria, in partnership with GetUp!, VNPA, Friends of the Earth and The Wilderness Society have invited each major party to outline their policies for the climate and our environment. This forum is with the ALP’s Lily D’Ambrosio, Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources and Lisa Neville, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Get tickets (free): www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2014-state-election-environment-forum-alp-tickets-12865682603?aff=eorg.

Wednesday 24 September, 7.00 pm for 7.30pm start. Lighter Footprints meeting. Doing Climate Politics: Insights into Political Processes. Guest speaker, Ken Coghill, will lead a discussion of how politicians and political parties relate to the community on climate change.

Wednesday 24 September, 5.30pm- 7.00pm. Geelong Sustainability Drinks. Making our money matter! Dr Mel Thomson from Deakin University, world expert in crowd-funding, Julien Vincent, from Market Forces, and Mik Aidt on “Energize Geelong” – a new, simple how-to guide with a blueprint for local solar crowdfunding. Beav’s Bar, 77 Lt Malop St. Gold coin entry. » Register.

Wednesday 24 September at 7:00pm. Gasfield Free Bairnsdale meeting at Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, 27 Dalmahoy Street. » Contact: gasfieldfreebairnsdale@gmail.com.

Thursday 25 September, 6.00pm-7:30 pm. Consumerism, Society and our Ecological Future, a free public lecture with Professor Tim Kasser. At Theatre 1, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton, University of Melbourne. Tim Kasser will review two decades of psychological theory and research on values to show how contemporary culture’s focus on materialism and consumerism must be confronted if humans are to create a sustainable future.

Saturday 27 September. Door knocking in Frankston and EV Street Stall outside Kmart Main Entrance, in Burwood East, 9:00am–12:00pm.
»For bayside event contact Jane Stabb: jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.
» For the eastern suburbs contact EV’s Claire: claire.vanherpen@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Sunday 28 September. NEW DATE for Whittlesea Transport Forum.

Monday 29 September. Moreland Transport Forum.

Tuesday 30 September. Eastern Climate Action Melbourne State Election Environment Forum, Waratah Room, Whitehorse Centre, 397 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading, 7:00–9:00pm. Moderator: Rob Gell. Candidates: Neil Angus MP, Liberal Party, Pauline Richards, Australian Labor Party, Brewis Atkinson, Australian Greens
» RSVP and questions: ecam.enquiries@gmail.com. See www.facebook.com/easterncag.

Tuesday 30 September from 6.00pm to 7.30pm. Election environment forum – Greens.
At the RMIT Building 12, Level 5, Room 002, 394 Swanston St. Environment Victoria, in partnership with GetUp!, VNPA, Friends of the Earth and The Wilderness Society have invited each major party to explain their philosophies and outline their policies for the climate and our environment. This forum is with Greg Barber, Victorian Leader of the Greens. Get tickets (free): www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2014-state-election-environment-forum-greens-tickets-12926867609?aff=eorg.

October events

Wednesday 1 October. Western suburbs Transport Forum.

Thursday 2 October. Melbourne Transport Forum.

Thursday 2 October at 7:30pm. Gormandale Coal & Gas Information Night at Gormandale Football Clubrooms, Main Rd, Gormandale. Expert Speaker: Mark Ogge from The Australia Institute.

Saturday 4 October. EV Campaign skills training (field campaigning) held in conjunction with the VTHC, Victorian Trades Hall Building, 54 Victoria St, Carlton, 9:30am–1:00pm. » Contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Saturday 4 October at 7:00pm, Deans Marsh. Dance for Lock the Gate. Concert and Fundraiser with Mountain Grey & Rondo. At Deans Marsh Memorial Hall, Pennyroyal Valley Rd, Deans Marsh. Contact Seona Gunn (03) 5236 3384.

Sunday 5 October. Rock 4 Renewables Fundraiser with Empat Lima, Alysia Manceau, Danny Walsh Banned, Nun of the Tongue and others. Plus DJ Emma Peel (PBS) & DJ Knave Knixx (Shack Shakers). Gasometer, 484 Smith St, Collingwood.

Sunday 5 October Meerlieu & Districts Declaration Day & Ute Sign! Including Goon Nure, Bengworden, Meerlieu & Perry Bridge. At Meerlieu Hall, Lindenow-Meerlieu Rd. Activities start at 12noon, Ute Sign & Speeches from 2pm. Cakes, Tea/Coffee, Sausage Sizzle, Kanga Cricket, Jumping Castle, Face painting, Raffle, Displays and more! » Email gasfieldfreebairnsdale@gmail.com

Sunday 5 October. Nelson Unconventional Gas Information Night. » Contact Leila: leila.huebner@exemail.com.au.

Friday 10 October. TEDx Melbourne Conference Off the Grid. Find out more about speakers: www.tedxmelbourne.com/speakers. Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Plenary 1).

Saturday 11 October. Global Frackdown Day. Watch for local events: www.globalfrackdown.org/events-2014

Saturday 11 October and Sunday 12 October 10:00am–4:00pm. Lock the Gate Victoria Stall @ Garden Expo, Lardner Park (10 mins from Warragul). » Email: noah.bk@foe.org.au.

Sunday 12 October. EV Campaigns Communication and Personal Narrative Training, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, 1:00–4:00pm. » Contact jane.stabb@environmentvictoria.org.au.

Sunday 12 October. Run with Doctors for the Environment Australia in the Melbourne Marathon Festival. Everybody from new runners to seasoned experts welcome.
» Find more information and register here.

Sunday 12 October at 10:30am. Gippsland Alliance meeting. At Lavalla College, Traralgon, Classroom at the back. Representatives from all over Gippsland get together every six weeks to hear about what we have all been doing, work together on projects, support and inspire.
» If you have not attended before please RSVP to: csgfreepoowong@hotmail.com.

Wednesday 15 October at 7:30pm. Yarram Gasfield Information Night. At Regent Theatre, Main Street. Expert Speaker: Mark Ogge from The Australia Institute. » For more info contact Julie 0429 464486.

Wednesday 15 October at 7:30–9:00pm. Climate Change: Risks and Opportunities. Bayside Climate Change Action Group and Brighton Secondary College to present an evening of presentations and Q&A at Brighton Secondary College, 120 Marriage Road, Brighton East. Speakers: Rob Gell, David Karoly, Kirsty Albion, and Jennifer Lauber Patterson (chair).» RSVP: Eventbrite (free ticket). Gold coin donation at the door. Contact: Tim Forcey – 0419 019 864. » Facebook: facebook.com/events/828519080500842

Friday 17 October. Pascoe Vale Uniting Church (Mel 17 B6) Q & A “What kind of Infrastructure for Victoria?” with Tony Morton (Public Transport Users Association), Carolyn Whitzman (Professor in Urban Planning, University of Melbourne), Andrea Sharam (former Moreland City councillor and affordable housing advocate).

Saturday 18 October. Divestment Day. Market Forces and 350.org are calling on thousands of customers of ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac to turn out and publicly close their accounts if the banks fail to rule out further support for the dirty fossil fuel industry.
» Sign up at www.marketforces.org.au/divestmentday

Saturday 18 October. The Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group pro-wind mountain bike ride – a Ride for Renewables from Black Forest Timbers, 988 Black Forest Drive, Woodend. The ride offers options for the semi-serious mountain-biker as well as those that are interested in a leisurely 13km ride through the pine forest. Starting at 10.00am (staggered start), riding to the site of the proposed community owned wind turbine and through surrounding forest.
» You can go to www.mrsgonline.org.au/events/r4r and book your tickets, or email R4R@mrsgonline.org.au
» Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/521386021326146/

Sunday 19 October at 1:00pm. South Gippsland Election Forum at the Football Clubrooms (Walter J Tuck Reserve) Strzelecki Hwy, Mirboo North. Confirmed candidates attending so far are Labor, Greens, Independent and Country Alliance. Contact: coalandcsgfreemirboonorth@outlook.com.

Sunday 19 October – Whitehorse Spring Festival – EV Market Stall, Nunawading, 11:00–4:00pm

Friday October 24 to Monday 27 October. BEYOND COAL & GAS: Protecting our Heritage, Embracing the Future at Ivory’s Rock, near Ipswich Queensland. It has been a huge year for the campaign to move Australia beyond coal and gas, with the movement growing from strength to strength across the country. The national gathering is a chance to bring people together from all over Australia, to reflect, to share stories and experiences, to learn from one another and to plan how to take the movement to the next level. Speakers include US based solar entrepreneur Danny Kennedy, the founder of Sungevity, and Dr Anne Poelina, a Nyikina Traditional Owner from the Mardoowarra, Lower Fitzroy River.The website and registration here.

November/December events

Friday 7 November. Seat of Pascoe Vale Candidate Forum – Coburg Uniting Church commencing at 7:30pm.

Saturday 8 November. Due date for Monster Climate Petition.

Sunday 9 November. EV Building and Maintaining Effective Teams Training, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, 1:00–4:00pm.

Wednesday 12 November 7:00–9:30pm. Lighter Footprints candidates’ forum. Q&A panel and breakout groups for candidates from Kew Hawthorn Burwood and Box Hill. At Hawthorn Arts Centre (formerly Town Hall), Burwood Rd Hawthorn.

Wednesday 12 November at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start. Darebin Climate Action Now Northcote Candidate Forum, Northcote Town Hall.

Friday 14 November, Brunswick Candidate Forum, Brunswick Uniting Church commencing at 7:30pm.

Friday 15 November to Saturday 16 November in Brisbane. G20 summit.

Sunday 23 November. Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser Mirboo North, Grand Ridge Rail Trail, Mirboo North.
» Email: coalandcsgfreemirboonorth@outlook.com for more details.

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Victorian election

Saturday 29 November.

Will Victorians see climate as one of the decisive issues?

VCAN post-election review and celebratory lunch.

Sunday 7 December 11.00am-2.00pm in Melbourne, venue TBC.

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17 September 2014