Yarra Climate Action Now!

A partnership between Tulele Peisa Incorporated ("Sailing the waves"), Friends of the Earth Australia and Oxfam Australia
local partners: Aid/watch, Mineral Policy Institute, Greens senator Kerry Nettle, Sisters of Mercy

The Carteret Islanders are amongst the world's first 'climate refugees'. An entire cultural group is facing relocation due to the impacts of climate change. The islanders have fought for more than twenty years against the rising ocean, building sea walls and planting mangroves. However, storm surges and high tides continue to wash away homes, destroy vegetable gardens, and contaminate fresh water supplies. On November 24, 2005, the Papua New Guinean government authorised the evacuation of the islands, 10 families at a time, to Bougainville. The evacuation started in early 2007 and this could continue up until 2020, depending on how inhabited the islands remain. However, it has also been estimated that by 2015, the Carteret Islands could be largely submerged and entirely uninhabitable.
This situation is but one example of the impacts being felt in our region. It highlights the need for rich countries like Australia to stop harming, by significantly reducing their emissions, and start helping, by supporting adaptation and resilience building in climate affected communities.


The tour aims to:

-Raise awareness amongst key stakeholders in Australian society about the plight of Carteret Islanders and others to the impacts of climate change
-Raise awareness of, and resources for, the culturally sensitive relocation of the Carteret Islanders to mainland Bougainville.
-Raise awareness in Australia of the reality of human displacement due to climate change and the need to respond accordingly in terms of appropriate mitigation (reducing our greenhouse gas emissions) and support for adaptation measures in affected communities.


Melbourne
Public Forum : Wednesday September 19th
Venue :TBC
Contact: Cam Walker cam.walker@foe.org.au

From the Age today:

Wind farm proposal dropped

"Energy giant AGL has formally dumped a controversial $140 million wind farm in South Gippsland.The company originally put the 48-turbine Dollar wind farm on hold last October and yesterday confirmed it was pulling out altogether. AGL said the project was less financially attractive than others under consideration. The project would have contributed 79 megawatts to the State Government's target of ten per cent renewable energy by 2016.
The decision was purely a business one, AGL said."

To read the full article click here.

Will decisions ever be made for environmental or social reasons instead?

Time is flying by, July is behind us and August is here! This month will bring more discussion, more media hype and more political banter about climate change. For YCAN! August will bring action.

We all need to stand up and be counted. Now is the time to let our voices be heard. The federal election is looming and we still do not have a candidate that understands what everyone else in the country does - we need real carbon reductions NOW! That is, we need to go to zero emissions as soon as possible - not 60 years down the track.

August is for Action, what will you do??

Check out http://www.myfootprint.org/ and calculate your carbon footprint on our planet. Learn and then take charge of your situation.

Write or even telephone your/our local federal MP and ask them what they're doing about climate change. Let them know we want immediate action on the issue.

We all have choices and decisions to make. Climate change is a complex issue, but if we all start by looking at ourselves we can make a difference. As the saying goes, 'Think Globally and Act Locally'

We have a chance RIGHT NOW!!!!

YCAN! is having its regular monthly meeting next Wednesday evening. Please come along and play a part in getting our community to a zero emission one! All are welcome to attend and join in projects and activities.

Wednesday 8th August
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Kindness House
288 Brunswick St
Fitzroy

Please contact me if you have any questions or queries regarding YCAN! or the meeting.


So I throw you the challenge, make a change in your life this month. Start down the path of a sustainable future.

For more information on what you can do see; www.sustainability.vic.gov.au