Feature

Global public embraces Earth Hour for action on climate change as denialists respond

Earth hour has grown from just one city - an estimated 2.2 million people participated in Sydney in 2007 - to 50 million people in 400 cities around the world in 2008 and even more in 2009. In 2010 more than 1,000 cities and towns in 120 countries around the world will, at 8.30pm on Saturday, March 27 turn off the lights for Earth Hour. It is a symbolic event that has been tirelessly promoted by the WWF to promote action on climate change. While its impact by itself is somewhat negligible, although there is a noticeable power use reduction for the hour, it has increased general public awareness of energy use and it's contribution to climate change.

Related: Greenpeace report: Dealing in Doubt

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Crackdown on Rio Tinto bosses a good thing

The Australian mainstream media are full of denunciations of China over the trial of the four Rio Tinto executives in Shanghai. However, from the standpoint of trade unionists and opponents of the oppression of Aboriginal people and the peoples of the ex-colonies, the prosecution of the Rio bosses is a good thing.

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Climate protest disrupts new Newcastle coal loader

The first shipment of coal from Newcastle's third coal loader has been delayed by climate activists from Rising Tide. The docking of the Sunny Success bulk carrier was delayed at the newly built terminal by one protestor chaining himself to the wharf, and four others in a boat on the harbour.

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Waihopai Ploughshares acquitted by jury!

Adrian Leason, Father Peter Murnane and Sam Land – the three men who were charged with intentional damage and unlawful entry at Waihopai spy base – have today expressed their thanks to the jury, the judge, and the prosecution and defense lawyers.

At the conclusion of the trial, Father Peter, Sam and Adrian said they feel privileged to have helped uncover the true nature of the spy base. “Our actions in disabling the spy base and stopping the flow of information helped save lives in Iraq”, added Adrian.

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Youtube censors Greenpeace parody video at food giant Nestlé's behest

Nestlé, the world's leading food and drinks company, has had Greenpeace's new video removed from YouTube on copyright grounds. The video is a response to Nestlé sourcing palm oil from companies involved in the destruction of rainforests and peatlands in Indonesia. Palm oil is used in many popular Nestlé brands. The destruction of rainforest and peatlands for palm oil plantations releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere making Indonesia one of the highest emitters of CO2 and contributing to global warming.

Related: Palm Oil Action | Greenpeace KitKat Campaign | Climate IMC: Climate change and Indonesian peatlands
There is a continuing Global consumer boycott of Nestlé over infant formula marketing.

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Widow calls for lawyer to be disbarred over cycling death

Earlier this week Lawyer and former police officer Eugene McGee and his brother Craig Patrick McGee were found not guilty of conspiracy to attempt to pervert the course of justice. They had been accused of conspiring to avoid police after a fatal collision on the Kapunda Road, just north of Adelaide, in 2003. Cyclist Ian Humphrey, 46, was killed when he was hit from behind by Eugene McGee's four-wheel-drive.

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Another case of media fuelled racism in Australia

Mass media is the heart and soul of a nation. Many people rely upon the mass media for information and entertainment including the bureaucrats working for the government. It was reported by the Brisbane Time on the 15th Oct 2009 under the heading - Rudd policy on China 'set by BHP', with the following statement from Mr Joske (an economic adviser to former treasurer Peter Costello in the 1990s):

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Scientists affirm Australia's climate already changing

In a joint statement released on Monday by the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology the stark facts on global warming were outlined: that Australia's climate has already changed with more extremely hot days, fewer cold ones, wetter in the north and drier in the south-east and south-west. The statement outlined in five sections a snapshot of temperature, rainfall, oceans, atmosphere, and what this means for Australia in coming decades.

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