Media Release - Climate Institute
Wednesday, 04 November 2009
Up to a million new jobs could be created over the next 20 years if Australia's politicians and business leaders adopt strong policy action to combat climate change, a coalition of union, environment and social service groups told a public forum in Brisbane today.
Alongside the 350.org actions yesterday, FoE's Anti-Nuclear and Clean Energy (ACE) campaign held a
community bbq in Batman Park, in the centre of the electorate of pro-nuclear and pro-coal Federal Energy Minister Martin "He might be from Batman, but he ain't no superhero!" Ferguson ...
Hundreds of cyclists gathered and rode through the city of Melbourne before forming '350' as a human sign to call on the Australian Government and politicians from other nation states for substantial CO2 emission reduction targets to reach the 350ppm CO2 level, regarded by many scientists as the safe level to avoid dangerous climate change.
Environmental groups staged a snap protest at Parliament House today, Thursday October 22, in response to moves by Energy Minister Peter Batchelor to compound the disastrous impact of Victoria's brown coal industry by exporting millions of tonnes of the stuff to India and other developing nations ...
FOE: Community tells Premier: world does not need our dirty coal | Video of Protest |
The press release below from FOE Melbourne explains how Hazelwood is asking to be bought out by the public. Lets just close the sucker already and move onto to a more sane energy policy in Victoria.
http://www.melbourne.foe.org.au/?q=node/608
Revelations in the Australian Financial Review and Business Spectator today that UK based owners of the Hazelwood coal power station, International Power, is looking for a cash bailout from the government to close down Hazelwood exemplify the troubles plaguing the brown coal industry in Victoria.
Laws have been introduced into State Parliament which aim to crush non-violent civil disobedience to the coal industry in Victoria by boosting fines for trespass to $14,000 and up to one year in goal and boosting fines for “sabotage” to up to 2 years in gaol and a $28,000 fine. Peter Batchelor explicitly linked these changes to Electricity Industry Act to the success of the recent Hazelwood demonstration.
The U.S. Multi-national Alcoa which runs two smelters in Victoria has received 4.5-6 billion dollars in public subsidies in the last 30 years in the form of cheap power it has been revealed in the Age. They also stand to gain an addition 1.7 billion dollars compensation under the CPRS but they still want more! Alcoa users 15-25% of Victoria’s energy, derived from brown coal. If we were to shut the smelters to power them on renewable we would slash our emissions overnight.
On October 24, the International Day of Climate Action will cover almost every country on earth, the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history with rallies, stunts and community actions all aiming to highlight the number 350. 350 parts per million is the safe level of C02 in the atmosphere identified by scientists beyond which humans face disaster. There are already over 140 350.org actions planned for Australia.
In a reversal of their previous bogus "eat meat" dietary advice, the CSIRO in their new CSIRO's Home Energy Saving Handbook has come clean and told Australians that going vegetarian can help half their personal carbon footprint and keep them healthy. What are you waitng for meat eaters - stop eating meat for the planet.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/hot-air-over-csiros-ne...
