Stranded Down Under
Posted on 13 March 2014 by e-news
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The next e-news will be published on Thursday, 27 March, so get your contributions in to us then, by 11am.
Our headline this fortnight comes from a talk about what’s happening to fossil fuel investments: bankrupt morally and ecologically and – rapidly – financially bankrupt, or stranded.
And in this issue we get to agree with a former head of the Institute of Public Affairs!
Keep reading, this and many more wonders to follow.
Earth Hour 2014
Lights Out for the Reef
Saturday March 29, 8.30pm
And at 7.30 on 29 March, just before Earth Hour, Channel 10, no less, will be screening a documentary on the threats to the reef posed by the coal mining industry. Tune in to that, and then switch off!
Twin Peaks Mountain Bike Park
MASG is on the steering committee for the new Twin Peaks Mountain Bike Park. We’re working on getting this park established at Harcourt, encompassing the Oak Forest and a parcel of land currently managed by Hancock Victorian Plantations.
The steering committee has had a feasibility study done, we’ve chosen the designer and the draft design is in.
While it’s still only a draft, and we are seeking minor amendments, it looks fantastic! We are aiming/hoping for a huge increase in visitor numbers to the region. With a State election later this year, the State Government is keen to get the project underway.
We’re hoping for the first tracks to be laid before the end of the year, provided we can negotiate some legalities with Hancock’s before their lease actually expires. Everyone on board has nothing but good will towards the project, so stay tuned for updates.
Volunteers! Screen printing and dishes
Do you have screen printing skills? We need our Wash Against Waste trailer tee shirts screen printed with something groovy. Please let Anna know if you can help: 0435 291 835, or coordinator@masg.org.au.
We also need volunteers to work on the MASG Wash Against Waste Trailer. We are planning to service the Castlemaine Farmers’ Market every second month. We’ll give you free training to familiarise you with the trailer, and even train you as a licensed operator if you wish. It’s fun, and you’ll only need to do a two hour shift every second month.
Please contact Anna know if you can help: 0435 291 835, or coordinator@masg.org.au.
Lowering emissions: cheaper than you think
The Climate Change Authority has found a $100 drop in gross national income per person by 2020 is enough for Australia to make a credible contribution to tackling global warming.
Rural environmental leaders program
Are you passionate about making a change? Do you find yourself often frustrated by shortsighted policies or poor leadership in environmental management? A sustainability leadership training program is coming to the Northern Rivers. Applications close Friday, 4 April, 2014. It is an opportunity to increase your capacity as a change-maker and lead the way in creating a sustainable future.
Stranded Down Under
You’re invited to Stranded Down Under – are fossil fuels bankrupting us financially and ecologically? with Oxford University and Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s Ben Caldecott. What’s the connection between your bank account, superannuation and fossil fuels?
As major economies like China reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, major Australian fossil fuel projects will face increasing risks – risks our savings will be forced to foot. Come and hear Ben Caldecott, founder of Oxford University’s Stranded Assets Programme and author of the groundbreaking report Stranded Down Under?, sheds light on the ramifications of Australia’s fossil fuel addiction and what we can do to kick Australia’s dirtiest habit.
Click here to register for your nearest event.
The Hub Plot
The Hub Plot meets to garden together, share produce, swap seeds and recipes every Monday morning. Drop in anytime from 9am; morning tea at 11am
Recently the Hub Plot proudly hosted a wedding in our beautiful garden. On a very hot Saturday in February 100 people celebrated Bryn and Giselle’s wedding under the shade of our beautiful trees.
Our chooks and scarecrow enjoyed the happy occasion immensely.Thanks so much to our wonderful volunteers who did a magnificent job of at our working bee tidying up in preparation.
This Monday we will be welcoming to our Monday morning working session a group of visitors to the Shire from Timor-Leste. The visitors are two university students (IT and Agriculture), a school principal and a sub district official all from Lolotoe.
We’ll be having a shared lunch of local food with them. If you’d like to join us please bring a plate to share. Lunch at 12 noon.
Community Energy Congress: 16 & 17 June 2014
National Library of Australia, Canberra
The inaugral Community Energy Congress. Across Australia, communities are coming together to pursue genuine sustainability opportunities, and few are as compelling as community energy projects. Communities are leading the way in creating sustainable energy enterprises that increase local energy security, create regional community development opportunities and directly act to reduce carbon emissions.
Slacktivism*
Protect Tasmania’s World Heritage forests
It’s unprecedented. No government has ever tried to overturn a decision of the World Heritage Committee for political reasons.
But Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Prime Minister Tony Abbott are asking the UNESCO committee to reject some of Tasmania’s old growth forests – approved for the world’s highest protection just last year. Sign the petition
Protect the RET
A new report shows 84% of Australians support the current Renewable Energy Target or expanding the RET.
Yet in spite of this public support, the PM has appointed a RET review panel dominated by fossil fuel backers. This means that their focus won’t be on what Australians want. They’ll focus on maintaining the dominance of big energy companies over our energy system.
Let’s demonstrate Australians’ support to government MPs and create Australia’s biggest energy-related petition ever: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/protecttheret
And read this
Fossil fuels are a bad investment, morally, for the environment and increasingly, financially. Climate Proofing Your Investments: moving funds out of fossil fuels is a report for institutional investors seeking to insulate their funds against the growing carbon bubble. The report, published by The Australia Institute, was released recently in partnership with 350.org Australia and Market Forces.
Download the report here and the summary findings here.
* What is slacktivism? In case you are wondering – or offended – by the term ‘slacktivism’, here it is. Slacktivism was coined to denote how we can be activists from our computers. Sure, it has a somewhat negative ringtone: ‘you can’t save the world by clicking your mouse’ … and yes, we agree, you can’t. Just as we won’t improve the world by buying different stuff.
There are people who will demonstrate in the street, and are prepared to be arrested (and face the $750 fine and two-year jail term the Victorian Parliament has just introduced).
But there are others who can’t or won’t, or don’t want to, but they are prepared to lend their voices to a movement, or donate their money to a cause. Never underestimate the weight of signatures to a cause!
We recognise that, and our slacktivism section is your chance to contribute.
Last word
It unnecessarily gives police too much power to move on protesters unjustifiably. I have an issue with the low bar that is being set to give police the powers to move people on.
Tim Wilson, former head of the IPA and current Human Rights Commissioner, on Victoria’s new ‘move-on’ law, the Summary Offence Act 2013, outlawing the right to protest in Victoria.
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