Yarra Climate Action Now!

One of the most important documents to be written for the global climate campaign has been released on the web.

The document makes the case that the science is being misread and miscommunicated and that the situation is far worse than most climate commentators choose to explain, it then looks at appropriate goals and solutions and argues for rapid reduction in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations now.

Written by David Sprat and Philip Sutton the document is a must read for any serious climate campaigner.

Down load the pdf from http://climatecodered.net/

Some of you have read the first two parts as Part 1 as "The big melt" and Part 2 as "Target practice".

The authors have asked that people do not email the PDF directly but instead direct others to the website.

Some good feedback for a change

Climate campaigner Al Gore saluted Australia's new commitment to addressing climate change as he collected the Nobel Peace Prize today, saying it was time to make peace with the planet.
The former US vice-president shared the 2007 prize with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, whose head, Rajendra Pachauri, told leaders at a UN climate conference in Indonesia to heed the wisdom of science.

"Without realising it, we have begun to wage war on the earth itself," Mr Gore said in his speech. "It is time to make peace with the planet."

In his speech at the presentation ceremony in Oslo, Mr Gore praised Australia's Rudd Government and several other countries as he urged the US and China to join the fight against global warming.

Mr Rudd's first act after taking his oath of office on December 3 was to ratify Kyoto.
"I salute Europe and Japan for the steps they've taken in recent years to meet the challenge, and the new government in Australia, which has made solving the climate crisis its first priority,'' he said.

"But the outcome will be decisively influenced by two nations that are now failing to do enough: the United States and China."

See today's Age for the full story

YCAN! Meeting:

Wednesday 7th November, 6:30pm
Kindness House
288 Brunswick St
Fitzroy.
**Please meet out the front by 6:25pm or call Shannon on 0417 301 694 if late.

I hope as many people as possible are able to make this meeting. With a very exciting federal election just 3 weeks away there is still much to do!!

We are working hard to raise awareness around climate change and the policies the political parties are committing to. If you haven't already please take time to have a look at http://www.voteclimate.org.au/FED07-Policy-Analysis

This shows all the major political parties climate change policies at a glance.

We will also be planning our attendance at the Walk Against Warming, which is shaping up to be HUGE. If there is one event you should attend this year this is it! Come, be a part of sending the strong message to our leaders, that the people of this country want serious action on climate change.

Of course these topics are just a part of what will be discussed. So we hope to see you on the 7th November!

From the New York times October 1

This year saw a record-breaking loss of Arctic sea ice.

click here for the full report and images

A public forum being held 7:00 pm this Wednesday on the subject of what a carbon-constrained Australia might look like.

Lindsay Tanner MP (Shadow Minister for Finance Federal Member for Melbourne) will be addressing Labor's vision for the role of government in achieving 'deep cuts' to Australia's carbon emissions. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

What does a carbon-constrained Australia look like? - A community forum hosted by the ALP North Melbourne branch

When? Wednesday 26 September 7 - 8:30 pm
Where? North Melbourne Library Upstairs Meeting Room, 66 Errol St, North Melbourne (Melways ref: 2A, J10)

YCAN! General Meeting
Wednesday 19th September

6:30 pm
Kindness House
288 Brunswick St
Fitzroy.

All are welcome to attend and find out what we're up to and what we have planned.

We look forward to working together to create a sustainable community!

Kooyong Electorate Climate Change Forum

when : Monday 3 September, 7:30 p.m.
where : Hawthorn Town Hall

Hear the candidates for the federal electorate of Kooyong explain their climate change policies. Learn about the latest science and strategies on climate change and how to reduce your carbon footprint from Environment Victoria.
Opened by the Mayor of Boroondara.
Public question time included.
Gold coin donation. Enquiries contact: enquiries@lighterfootprints.org


Free public forum series - Balancing the scales with China

when : Monday, 3 September 2007 6.30pm – 9.00pm (Registration 6.00pm)
where : Howard Florey Institute, Ground Floor Lecture Theatre Corner Grattan Street & Royal Parade, University of Melbourne (enter via Gate 11, Royal Parade)

To ensure a seat please RSVP at [0423 113 385] or info@freechina.org.au
Hosted by Free China Inc. www.freechina.org.au
International experts discuss current issues that have global repercussions Australia and the world are looking to China with both excitement and fear. The Olympic Games have shone the spotlight onto China and inevitably, issues related to its human rights record, its political and economic systems. Foreign investment is boosting the Chinese economy with eager anticipation, yet the quality of consumer goods, increasing military buildup and unceasing reports of human rights abuses are among a range of growing concerns. The need to understand China, is becoming essential for all Australians. Join a panel of international experts who will present rare insights into contemporary China, offering ways to negotiate balanced, sustainable responses to change taking place there today and into the future. Speakers Include:The Hon. David Kilgour Esq., Former Canadian Cabinet minister and Crown ProsecutorDr Wang Juntao, political scientist and key Chinese pro-democracy figure Erping Zhang, Executive Director of the Association for Asian Research (USA) Dr Elliott Fan, Research Fellow, Australia National University

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

Darebin City Council is the latest Victorian council to set strict targets to reduce its greenhouse emissions in order to become “carbon neutral”.
A new climate change action plan adopted by Darebin City Council has set a target for its organisation to become carbon neutral by 2020. Under the plan, the metropolitan Melbourne council expects to achieve by 2009 its goal to reduce its greenhouse emissions by 20% from 1995 levels.
The City of Port Phillip and the Shire of Yarra Ranges recently adopted their own highly stringent targets to reduce greenhouse emissions.
As part of its plan, Darebin expects to use green power to supply electricity to all the council’s facilities by 2008/2009. The council also plans to design any new municipal buildings to be carbon neutral.
Darebin City Council Mayor, Marlene Kairouz, says council buildings’ energy use, street lighting, vehicles and waste management are the four key areas where the council can cut its greenhouse emissions.
The council has identified the replacement of current mercury vapour streetlights with more energy-efficient T5 street lights, as well as the incorporation of more environmentally friendly vehicles in the council’s car fleet, as future actions Darebin could take to reduce its greenhouse emissions.
The climate change action plan defines the priorities for Darebin’s energy use. The first priority is to only use the amount of electricity necessary to conduct council operations; the second is to use available technology to make the council’s operations more energy efficient; and the third is to purchase GreenPower-accredited renewable electricity.
The council will also seek to offset greenhouse gas emissions through measures such as investing in tree planting programs or other energy efficiency technology. To contact Darebin City Council phone (03) 8470 8888.