Right now [press underlined links to read more about each item):
Coming soon:
Of interest
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Spot the acronym: we aim to be acronym free. Please use the ‘Have your say’ box (below) to report any unexplained acronyms. Acronyms are abbreviations that are formed using the initial components in a phrase or name e.g. ORCA: Otway Ranges Climate Action
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Next meeting 16th March 7.30pm – contribute to the draft Agenda
Agenda Items
- Workshop (RMIT facilitated) finalise invitation list
- EcoLiving Centre Grant Application
- Who would like to train up to do this News Letter?
- Reports from sub-groups
From Peter Campbell: The draft Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009 is released – 390+ pages.
* 450ppm CO2 confirmed (latest science indicates 300ppm for a safe climate future)
* 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2000 levels by 2050 (unchanged from 2007 election target).
* Between 5 per cent and 15 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2000 levels by 2020 (5% committed).
* Free permits for Australian emissions units will be issued for net greenhouse gas removals due to reafforestation that occur after the CPRS starts.
* No permits issued for protection of existing forests
* Coal Fired Electricity – 130.7 million Australian emissions units will be issued amongst eligible power stations on a pro rata basis
* Emissions-Intensive Trade-Exposed (EITE) assistance program provides assistance at two rates – 90 per cent and 60 per cent of a historic baseline of emissions per unit of production
In summary; not good at all. No emission reductions here, and no incentives for clean green energy & jobs.
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/emissionstrading/legislation/index.html
Regional Victorian Climate Action Summit
Local people speaking out about climate change & stepping into advocacy and politics.
If you are feeling frustrated, angry, inspired or ignorant, and want to see our political leaders and decision makers helping us rather than hindering us, then this is for you.
WHERE: Daylesford Town Hall
DATE: March 21st
TIME: 9.30am to 4pm
This forum is being jointly hosted by BREAZE (Ballarat), MASG (Mount Alexander), HREA (Daylesford) and BSG (Bendigo) and is open to all people wishing to speak out and skill up on climate change.
SPEAKERS – Philip Sutton, Damien Lawson, Graeme Drysdale, Karen Corr
Short presentations on the latest science, the political lie of the land – international, federal & state, how to control your political environment, a report back from the Canberra Climate Summit.
ACTIVISM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
A workshop based around- fundamentals of constructive communication, effecting political change- some lessons from past campaigns. What sustains us and what are our drivers in activism.
OPEN SPACE / CAFE OF ACTIVISTS: 2 SESSIONS
These sessions will be framed and facilitated so that real, achievable outcomes with leaders/contact people arise from these discussions.
AND A FUN EVENT AT THE END THE LIKES OF WHICH DAYLESFORD WON’T HAVE SEEN BEFORE!
Further details or to register see the summit website: www.rvcas.org.au
Dean Bridgfoot MASG tel 54706978 or dean@rvcas.org.au
Andrew Bray BREAZE Tel: 0421379646 or andrew@rvcas.org.au
I believe we have reached the stage where it is time for civil disobedience to prevent the construction of new coal plants. – Al Gore, Nobel Prize Winner, September 2008
Sun 22 March 9.30am – 5pm Melbourne Despair and Empowerment workshop
at Abbotsford Convent Mel 44 G5
Based on insights from contemporary systems science and the world’s spiritual traditions, this Despair & Empowerment workshop presents a series of transformative processes that move one from apathy to compassion, from fear to creative energy, and from alienation to connectedness.
This one-day workshop provides a supportive and safe environment to experience The Work That Reconnects. It includes time for personal reflection and intimate sharing with others who share concerns about the need for healing in our world. It has helped many thousands around the globe find insight, solidarity, and courage to act, despite rapidly worsening conditions.
The Despair and Empowerment processes were designed by eco-philosopher Joanna Macy Phd, a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory and deep ecology www.joannamacy.net
Facilitators: Mary Stringer is a social change advocate who has undertaken training with Joanna Macy in The Work That Reconnects
Lakshmi Venugopal is a trained facilitator in The Work That Reconnects and Changing the Dream Symposium. She currently works as an Environmental Change agent.
Cost: sliding scale $30-$80 pay what you can afford.
Registrations by 20 March to Julie Douglas julie.douglas@yahoo.com.au or phone 03 9817 6795 (a/h)
Actions at MP’s offices: Switch off the CPRS: switch on renewables
Friday 27 March Office of Lindsay Tanner, 280 King St, Melbourme at noon. On 27 March 2009 people concerned about climate change around the country will be taking action at the office of their local federal Labor politician to tell them we need to reduce greenhouse emissions, not pay polluters.
Friday 27 March, including:
* Office of Lindsay Tanner, 280 King St, Melbourme at noon.
Download a how-to kit about organising your own action:
www.stepitupaustralia.wordpress.com
Info: Louise on morris.lv@gmail.com
