enews friday aug 24
Posted on 27 August 2007 by e-news
MASG COMMITTEE POSITIONS FOR 2007-2008
Following the committee meeting of August 14th, 2007 the new office bearers for the Sustainability Group are:
President: Neil Barrett
Vice president: Michael McCartney
Secretary: Lorna Atkinson
Treasurer: Heather Barrett
Minutes Secretary: Felicity Faris
Committee meetings are held in the morning on the second Tuesday of the month. A list of the subcommittees for MASG are available.
RENEWABLE ENERGY EXPO:
Friday and Saturday October 5 and 6th at Phee Broadway Theatre. Come and learn about renewable energy and how to do it, what it costs and what rebates or incentives are available. With displays and presentations covering Solar PV, Solar Hot water, Biofuels, Soil sequestration and other renewable energy technologies. Spread the word and book it into your diaries.
LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION WORKING GROUP:
Details on the MASG food production working group including our demonstration garden and information on upcoming working bees and other exciting plans are now online. For more details or to get involved contact the convenor, Peter Sansom bundara@netcon.net.au or phone 5474 2403.
MASG ON THE RADIO…CRAGGING ON
Dean spoke on ABC Bendigo 91.1 at 6.40am on Monday morning, given the time of the day you can be excused if you missed it. We discussed the Carbon Ration Action Group movement and are investigating setting up such a group here. If you want to be a local cragger call the office or Email dc@masg.org.au
MASG AND THE COUNCIL BUDGET
MASG made written and oral submission to the Shire Budget because we believed the budget failed to show leadership to the community on the issue of climate change. Whilst Council has made some impressive improvements to get its own house in order we believe much more action is needed if we are to get community emissions down. There was one bright note in the end: due to our efforts and particularly those of Jill Gibson of the Mount Alexander Bicycle Users Group $20,000 was found to fund a bike transport study.
MASG WANTED
Please look at the big new red button on our website – the next step is self-explanatory!
Also wanted – indoor and outdoor plants of all sorts. Lend us the MASG plant of the month!
Ian still has seedlings to give away – bring an old container and pick up a handful from MASG driveway. If you have spare to share, please leave them there.
OTHER EVENTS, NOT MASG ENDORSED:
LOCAL WATER PLAN 2008-2013: Coliban Water has re-organsied it’s public information sessions in Castlemaine following many requests to Tuesday 4 September, 2pm in the Campbells Creek Community Centre.Water is a crucial sustainability issue and we encourage you to attend to see where the annual $42M Coliban Water capital works budget is going. Please call 1300 363 200 to register.
CASTLEMAINE 500 NEWS
CVGA has been granted a second year of funding to continue C500 AND to roll out the C500 model in 2 other townships. MASG will be part of a cluster of organisations that is being formed to continue the work of C500 following on from a workshop on Tues 21st August.
EARTH HEALING AND YOUTH
Social Sculpture, a talk by international artist Johannes Matthiessen at Castlemaine Art Gallery, Saturday 25th @ 2.30pm.
CEILING INSULATION REBATES
What are the benefits of ceiling insulation?: Ceiling insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of a home year-round. In winter up to 40% of heat in the home can be lost and in summer up to 30% of heat can be gained through an un-insulated ceiling. Ceiling insulation reduces this heat loss and gain significantly, resulting in large savings on your annual heating and cooling bills. In addition, it saves up to 2.2 tonnes of greenhouse gas every year. An Insulation Rebate is now available from Sustainability Victoria; For details call SV on 1300 366 195 or at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT® – HEALTHY LAND, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TRAINING PROGRAM. Farming in a variable climate can be challenging on a number of levels; environmentally, emotionally, socially and economically. Conducted by Graeme Hand, there will never be a dull moment! Workshop aims to assist landholders in increasing the health of their land in a varying climate. A series of 2-day blocks over a 3-week period, with a follow up day early in 2008. From 17th October with a mix of ‘class-based’ sessions and ‘on-farm’ sessions. For details call 5448 7124 or email: info@nccma.vic.gov.au
TREE PLANTINGS AS CARBON OFFSETS QUESTIONED
Despite previous warnings from the IPCC that planting trees is not an effective way to offset greenhouse gas emissions, a new report finds that Australian offset companies are continuing to use tree plantings as a primary measure. In a paper entitled Carbon Offsets: Saviour or cop-out?, author Christian Downie from The Australia Insitute argues that:
“By diverting people’s funds and attention to projects that are unlikely to reduce emissions significantly in the long term, some offset schemes could ultimately do more harm than good,”
“The promotion of tree planting to individuals and businesses is a prime example. Tree planting is the most popular type of carbon offset promoted in Australia but it is in fact the least effective for dealing with climate change.”
“The evidence indicates that offsets from renewable energy are the most effective, followed by those from energy efficiency projects, with forestry projects ranked last.”
FINAL WORD:
“At first I thought I was fighting to save the rubber trees,
Then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest.
Now I realize I am fighting for humanity”
Chico Mendez (1947-1988), indigenous Brazilian rubber tapper, union leader and activist, murdered by cattle ranching interests.
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