Only 3 weeks to go before our state election (March 24). Our stance is, as always, that we will not endorse any particular candidate. However, what we have chosen to do, is to request a Yes/No response from each candidate on 7 questions. From these we’ve compiled a Report Card on the relevant Climate Change issues that we focus on. So have a look and judge for yourself on how they compare.
Signing over to Green Power is still the message that needs to get out there. Let market forces demand a cleaner future. Check out “3. What you can do…” for a step by step guide.
Contents:
1. What’s news…
2. What’s coming up…
3. What you can do…
4. Be Heard – Write a Letter…
1. What’s News…
● CCBR “Report Card” for Candidates for the Seat of Balmain
Judge for yourself on how they compare when questioned on issues of renewable energy and the expansion of the coal industry (leading to increased levels of CO2 emissions).
Verity Firth Rochelle Porteous Jane Ward Peter Shmigel
1 Do you support legislated greenhouse emission targets of 60% (of 1990 levels) by 2020 to keep global warming under 2°C? *
2 Do you support legislated targets to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy demand in NSW? *
3 Would you support an independent inquiry into the cumulative impacts of the NSW coal industry, including its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions? *
4 Pending the results of the aforementioned independent inquiry, would you support a moratorium on approval for
a) the construction of new coal-fired power stations in NSW?
b) all current and future new coal projects before the Dept of Planning? *
*
5 Do you believe that public investment in Carbon Capture and Storage should be discontinued and NSW Government resources should be directed towards demand reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy development? *
6 Do you believe that Demand Reduction, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies can make a significant contribution to the deep, swift reductions in greenhouse pollution that are required to avoid dangerous climate change? *
7 Would you vote in Parliament against the approval of the Anvil Hill and Moolarben coal projects, the two largest coal mines, existing or proposed, in NSW? *
* Peter Shmigel declined to participate saying:
“Thanks for giving me the opportunity to participate in CCBR’s survey. I respectfully decline to do so. While I could certainly answer ‘yes’ to many of its questions, I cannot respond to the survey in its current format as a matter of principle.
........ I am of the view that reducing the climate change debate down to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers is not appropriate” As per his request we have published his statement in full on the website:
www.climatechangebr.org/page15.htm.
Verity Firth was unable to respond to the questionnaire by the newsletter deadline.
● Local CCBR supporters go Carbon Neutral
Scott Hyde, a local resident who is the Director of “Milk etc pty ltd” is in the process of making his business carbon neutral….
“About 4 months ago I decided to commit my business to the path of carbon neutrality. The process started with me asking myself how to do it?! After some googling and research, I contacted a group called www.carbonneutral.com.au who have been very helpful in leading me in the process.
Our first task was to identify where and how we consumed most of our energy. We are a distribution business and have multiple trucks on the road and this is supported by a fairly large array of computers. Carbon Neutral has various calculator programs so that once we measured the average time on the road for each truck they were able to tell us our CO2 emissions and thus they will plant enough trees that would equal a complete offset. We were also advised to request green energy from our energy provider which we have done and are also in the process of having the net energy still used by the computer resources calculated with view to offsetting this also. We are probably 75% down the path of carbon neutrality and hope to have it complete by April when my business is launching its website. Our commitment to this process will be communicated by the website and in turn challenge like businesses to do the same.”
And another supporter has drawn our attention to this website:
Calculate the environmental performance of your home at www.nabers.com.au .
Australian households spend around $1500 a year on energy and water bills, and our energy and water use is amongst the highest in the world.
● Solar Panels poised for installation
We are currently waiting for an answer to a funding proposal that the group has submitted to DEUS. The grant would provide financial assistance in installing the panels that have been donated and setting up an interactive education package to be used with students in the schools. All funding applications have entered a “caretaker period” - no funding will be announced until after the election.
●Positive initiatives blooming around us!
• We congratulate labor government’s recent announcements regarding rebates for domestic solar hot water heating, as well as the GGAS.
• Channel Ten’s “Cool Aid” was a great success
• “Earth Hour” on March 31st – Everyone is encouraged to cut the power for an hour that evening, 7.30 – 8.30pm. See: www.earthhour.org
● CCBR Kilowatt Challenge
It’s not too late to join up if you have your bills from late last year! How much can you reduce your usage?? With great prizes to be won contact Alison at kc@climatechangebr.org or check out the challenge at www.climatechangebr.org/page11.htm.
Do you know how many Kilowatts your household uses per day?
● Great info from CCBR supporters
This last month we have had some great emails from people in the area sharing information and ideas:
1. A small group called SEED have turned proposals for new coal mines in Texas on their head. Fast track proposals were quickly derailed as private equity firms are “gobbling up” TXU, teaming up with environmentalists and knocking down plans for all but three from 11 coal-fired plants proposed. Around the country there are still some 150 coal power proposals on the drawing board. Environmental groups, emboldened by the success of the TXU takeover, aim to stop them. So the companies in the coal business can expect to feel some heat. For the article go to: http://www.planet2025news.net/ntext.rxml?id=4186&photo
2. A local CCBR supporter, Richard Madigan, has alerted us to an incredible initiative that was developed in France prior the presidential election. All candidates were asked to sign an “Ecological Pact”. The two likely winners in (Right wing and Left wing) have both signed and embraced the Pact. This could and should be something to consider for our own country later this year. See http://www.pacte-ecologique-2007.org/nicolas-hulot/pdf/Ecological-Pact.pdf
2. What’s coming up……….
● Greenpeace Forum – “Fiddling While the Climate Burns”
You are invited to a public forum to discuss climate change, how we make the shift from coal to renewable energy, and how you can use your power as a voter in March’s election to help stop dangerous climate. The political candidates for the seat of Balmain have also been invited to give a short overview on where they stand on these issues. We hope to see you there.
Where: Rozelle public school, 663 Darling St. Rozelle
When: Thursday March 8th, 7-8.45pm
For more on what’s happening with Anvil Hill and Moolarben coal mine proposals go to www.anvilhill.org.au and www.savethedrip.com
● Meet the Candidates
Candidates for the seat of ‘Balmain’ will be in attendance to answer questions from the community. Organised by the Balmain Society – enquiries 9810 1179.
Where: Balmain Tigers Club, Victoria Rd, Rozelle
When: Wednesday March 14, 7 for 7.30pm
● Earth Hour and the ‘Planet Cool’ Fundraiser
CCBR invites you to “Planet Cool - Party for Climate Change” with Rozelle’s very own Leyla Nassif and Rob Maxwell-Jones. The entrance cost covers the venue and music. You bring along your picnic and dancing shoes and be prepared for a fun night.
Where & When: Writers Centre, Callan Park. Saturday March 31st at 6.30pm
Price: $20 / person. Purchase tickets at Bendigo Bank (Rozelle) - BSB:633000 a/c#127362408
(name in description box please -This is the RSVP)
This is a fundraiser organised by Leyla from Rozelle Public School to support the “Earth Hour” initiative and raise money for CCBR. Enquiries to Sue: 0418 218 844
● ‘Getup’ e-initiative and Global Petition
This is a great way to let your local candidates know how many people in their constituency put a high priority on dealing with climate change. The Getup campaign has now been running for over 3 months and if you haven’t already, we urge you to add your signature to the growing number of people who have (presently 75,185 – target 250,000). www.GetUp.org.au
Sign-on to the Climate Action Map if you agree with - “I want my government to take sweeping action to dramatically cut greenhouse pollution, shift to clean energy and solve the climate crisis now”.
Another similar initiative has come to our attention this one with a global rather than Australian focus.
For more see http://www.avaaz.org/en/climate_action/
● Street Stalls
At the stalls we:
• discuss Climate Change with passers-by and options for individual action.
• sign on new supporters to the newsletter
• present letters you can send to the pollies.
• distribute bumper stickers: “Climate Change the election issue”
Dates and places:
March 10 – outside Balmain Markets
March 17 – outside Rozelle Markets
March 24 – State Election Day - To Be Advised
3. What you can do………
Switch to Green Power. - For only a few dollars more a month, you can make sure that your electricity comes from renewable energy sources and is climate friendly.
Here’s how to go about it:
1. Head to http://www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au which rates the top green providers.
At time of printing the top 3 are: Origin, TRUenergy and AGL.
We have personally contacted these suppliers. Look at your electricity bills and find how many Kwh your household uses per day. Use it to work out how much green energy would cost you.
Below is a summary of what we found to be on offer:
ORIGIN ENERGY – ph:132 463.
‘Standard Greenearth’- 10% wind + 90% hydro. Cost: $1 or $2 extra/week flat rate (dep. on meter type)
‘Extra Greenearth’ - 50% wind + 50% hydro Cost: $3 or $5 extra/week flat rate (dep. on meter type)
‘Greenearth Wind’ - 100% wind. Cost: 5.5cents extra / kWh
‘Greenearth Solar’ - 100% solar. Cost: 5.5cents extra / kWh
Origin does not lock you into a fixed term agreement to stay with them
TRUenergy – ph:133 466
‘Go Green’ – 10% wind + 90% hydro. No extra cost. This is a 2 yr agreement.
‘Go Green’ – 100% wind. Cost: 5.775cents extra / kWh
‘TRUenergy Planet Plus’ – 50% wind & bio + 50% hydro & bio. Cost: 2.86cents / kWh
AGL – cannot sign up by phone – must do it on line www.agl.com.au
‘Green Energy’ – 100% accredited sources (wind, solar, hydro and biomass – exact mix not given) Cost: 5.5cents / kWh
2. Ring one of these providers and they will organise the transfer for you – this can take around 3 months due to meter reading times.
OR you could also do your own research starting from a different website: http://www.energy.com.au/energy/ea.nsf/Content/NSW+residential this site has links to all the providers’ homepages.
4. Be Heard – Write a Letter …
This month’s letter to Morris Iemma together with another to Peter Debnam appear as a separate att. to this newsletter.
And……… Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle is growing and looking for people who would like to get more involved. The current working party met with a great group of people who have previously expressed an interest in becoming more involved and we look forward to seeing what wonderful new energy and initiatives these people will bring to the team. Would you be able to help us out in any of these areas:
-media releases/ management
-website development
-data organisation
And………
“….Perhaps local climate action groups will exert sufficient political pressure to move contenders in the coming elections to adopt effective policies instead of diversions and delaying tactics.”
Sydney Morning Herald, Feb 6 – 2007 (www.smh.com.au:80/articles/2007/02/05/1170524025000.html )
Dr Mark Diesendorf researches and teaches sustainable development and greenhouse response strategies at the Institute of Environmental Studies, University of NSW.
Also………
“Twice as many customers overall are now buying clean Green Power in Victoria than in NSW despite a smaller population” - Michael Richardson Dec 21, 2006.
And Lastly………
If you like what we’re doing and have friends who you think would be interested in this newsletter please feel free to forward it on.
Or…..if you have any feedback or ideas contact us at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au
Or…. if you would like to unsubscribe please let us know at ccbrmail@aapt.net.au
For more info, check out our website www.climatechangebr.org.
For other Climate Action Groups (CAGs) in Sydney and Australia wide see www.climatemovement.org.au
