Climate Emergency Rally, July 5

Climate Emergency Rally
Victoria, Australia

Website now up at Climate Rally

“We are calling for Victorians to join the Climate Emergency Rally on July 5.

We want to send a wake-up call to state and federal governments that they are heading in the wrong direction. New coal, new freeways and desalination plants increase our use of and reliance on fossil fuels dramatically at a time when we must be cutting our use even more dramatically. We are calling on governments to implement sustainable alternatives to these irresponsible and expensive projects.

“We call on all community groups and individuals to join us to send this important message to the government.

We are going to form a 140-metre-long human sign to spell the words “Climate Emergency”. Please organise your group to send endorsement, tell everyone you know, and come on the day wearing something red to symbolise emergency.

Join the rally to show Brumby we’re serious about climate change

Your Water, Your Say: Community Assembly

Saturday 10th May, Your Water Your Say will activate its Community Assembly to demonstrate the community’s determination to stop works at the Wonthaggi desalination pilot plant.

Various pieces of equipment have moved onto the site already and it isexpected that Korumburra contractor ANCON will try to move horizontal drilling equipment onto the desalination site within days.

YWYS Spokesperson, Nia Emmanouil says “local community members have beenforced to voice their opposition to the Government’s flawed water policythrough peaceful community protest. Who else will ensure that a legacy of destruction is not inflicted on local terrestrial and marine environments?”

The desalination project will contribute up to 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere every year; that is incongruous with efforts to reverse the reality that is climate change. There ARE environmentally sustainable and cheaper alternatives.

Ms Emmanouil says “The Brumby Government has forced through this water factory without any consultation with the Bass Coast community. The project has been surrounded by secrecy and requests for information have been ignored. As confirmed by the Auditor General, Government continues to flaunt a blatant disregard for due process and genuine community engagement, and it refuses to release the true cost of the project or the true ramifications of the project.”

Compelling evidence suggests there are more environmentally, socially and economically responsible options for securing Victoria’s water security. A study commissioned by Your Water Your Say clearly demonstrates that a water factory is not needed – see ‘Supply and Demand Analysis – Melbourne’s Water’. The Government has been unable to refute this analysis but it continues to push through this multi-billion dollar project that will drive water costs up to 5 times.

Whilst Bass Coast residents will endeavor to hold construction of the pilot plant at bay, the community assembly site will become a focal point for workshops, events and festivities that aim to maintain resilience within the community.

YWYS demands that the Brumby Government stop construction of all infrastructure to support the desalination pilot plant and revise the scope of the EES to include the pilot plant. For the EES to be effective the four month time line must be extended. This is an unprecedented short time for an EES even though this is the biggest infrastructure in
the history of Victoria.

YWYS will keep a 24-hour vigil at the site and continue to demand that the Government be accountable for the decisions it makes.

For more information contact:
Nia Emmanouil
Steering Committee
Contact: 0401 204 342

Andrea Bolch
President
Contact: 0400 065 253

Chris Heislers
Steering Committee
Contact: 0419 556 381

John Wright
Vice President
Contact: 5678 7083

Going solar

Most of the energy that any household needs is for the refrigerator and the water heater.  There are no other appliances in our households that use or need constant energy.

Installing a solar hot-water system can dramatically reduce your electricity bills and at the same time help reduce your household’s greenhouse gas emissions.  Other energy efficiencies around your home can further assist in reducing your emissions and of course your electricity bill.  As the nation moves towards carbon trading, installing solar hot-water system may be a real bonus to beating escalating electricity costs.

While installing a solar hot-water system can reduce your electricity bills and your greenhouse gas emissions, you can look at doing even more by installing a solar system that allows you to sell power back to the grid.  These tend to be more expensive than your average solar hot-water system  but they quickly pay for themselves and have a profound affect on your household’s CO2 emissions.

You can explore and investigate these kinds of systems by visiting the Alternative Technology Association.

SOS – Save Our Solar

SOS – Save Our Solar! – REMINDER AND UPDATE

BONUS!  Two events in one week!

1.  SOS: Save our Solar! UPDATED

The Victorian Government has this week failed to deliver the goods on its long awaited solar feed-in tariff for Victoria.

They have delivered a fake version of a feed-in tariff that will provide none of the emission reductions or solar industry development that we really need.

We must TAKE URGENT ACTION NOW to ensure Victoria’s solar future.

Join us from 8.30am-9.30am sharp on the steps of Parliament House this coming Thursday 8th May to tell Premier John Brumby and the Victorian Government that we want a REAL Feed-In Tariff for Victoria’s solar future.

We need your help to get at least 200 people along, so bring your friends, bring your placards and let the Politicians know what we want.

The Brumby government has failed it’s first test on climate change since the Premiers Climate Summit. Let’s let them know that we expect better from our leaders.

• Where: Steps of Parliament House, top of Bourke St

• When: 8.30am-9.30am, Thursday 8th May 2008

• Who: Anyone who loves solar power or wants to see the Victorian government take real action on climate change

Organised by Environment Victoria, the Alternative Technology Association, the Moreland Energy Foundation, Friends of the Earth, and the Electrical Trades Union

I hope to see you there!

2. Mothers UNITE to Clean Up Our Climate!

Mother’s Day Rally: 12.15pm-12.45pm Sunday 11 May, Federation Square

(immediately following the Mother’s Day Classic)

This year, tell our leaders what you really want (besides chocolate & breakfast in bed!)…

For today’s and tomorrow’s children to enjoy the same safe climate that we all grew up in.

You don’t need to be a mother to join us, it’s enough to have had one.

So gather your mother, other people’s mothers, friends, colleagues, neighbours and join us for a big group photograph to tell our leaders to:

“Clean up our climate —

for our young people’s sake!”

For greater effect bring along a photo of a young person to hold up.

Brigitte Duclos, co-host of Mix 101.1FM’s breakfast radio program, Two Women & A Metro, will host and keynote speakers will join us to voice their concerns about the impacts of climate change on future generations.

Proudly supported by Environment Victoria, The Victorian Women’s Trust, Federation Square, Greenpeace and Sids and Kids Victoria

Please feel free to contact me for further information regarding either of these important events.  I hope to see you there.

Kind regards,

Victoria McKenzie-McHarg

Climate Change Campaigner, Environment Victoria,
9341 8112, or victoria@envict.org.au

Getting fit and combatting climate change

There are so many beautiful parts throughout Brimbank which are slowly being taken up by growing developments.  But we still have the ever beautiful Organ Pipes National Park and Brimbank Park.  Even though we have been in severe drought, these parks continue to be wonderful places and can instantly take you away from the city for a few hours.  In fact other than the air traffic you’d think you were in the country.

There have been a couple of very good local developments like the Parks Review and the community input into bike lane locations.  The bike lanes will help make our roads safer for families on bikes and for motorists. There has been funding put aside to ensure that the western suburbs enjoys one of the nicest, continuous rides from Taylors Creek to the Bay.  These are some of the changes the Brimbank City Council has undertaken as initiatives put forward by Greens Councillor for Harvester Ward, Miles Dymott.

And all of this can be enjoyed by simply hoping on a bike and taking a ride.

By getting on yer bike you can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from your car, and help stay active and get fit with your family.

If you want more information about cycling around Brimbank or the basics on how to get started then contact BrimBUG, the Brimbank Bicycle Users Group, on 9366 0674.