Sustainability

BZE Renewable Superpower launch report back

Friends of the Earth Adelaide and Beyond Zero Emissions had a very successful launch of the Renewable Superpower report last Friday.

As reported in the Transcontinental newspaper based in Port Augusta:

“Repower Port Augusta spokesperson Lisa Lumsden, gave an address at the launch and was on the Q&A panel. Our Lisa Lumsden left the audience with the comment that she hoped Port Augusta is ready able and willing to be the hub for Australia as a renewable energy superpower.”

Senate candidate Forum on Jobs, Justice Climate & Community

The Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Oaktree, The Wilderness Society, Solar Citizens, Conservation Council South Australia, Oxfam Australia, Campaign for Australian Aid, and Catholic Earthcare Australia invite you to participate in a Senate Candidate Forum on Jobs, Justice, Climate and Community on the 16th of June.  

Combatting climate change, ending extreme poverty, as well as local issues such as protecting South Australia’s beautiful coastline and providing sustainable and clean jobs for South Australians  are concerns we hear echoed throughout the community.  Developing an understanding of Australia’s role in tackling some of the biggest issues facing us today is vitally important if we are to be well informed.

Senate Candidate Forum on Jobs, Justice, Climate and Community

Thursday, 16th of June 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM
The Main Room, The Glenelg Club, Gliderol Stadium Brighton Road, Glenelg East, South Australia 5045

More details: facebook invite

Two fossil fuel free events in May

Friends of the Earth Adelaide are happy to support the Wilderness Society in their campaign to protect wilderness and farmland from gas fracking, and to stop oil drilling from happening in the Great Australian Bight.

1. Stand up at Santos AGM

Join us from 8:30-10:30am outside the Santos AGM at the western end of the Convention Centre on North Terrace to highlight to shareholders the dangers of gas fracking.

Facebook event here

It’s time for South Australians to support our NSW cousins. Our common asset – Australia’s largest underground water resource, the Great Artesian Basin – is under serious threat from Santos’ plans for an 850 well coal seam gasfield in the Pilliga forest.

Farmers and traditional owners of the Pilliga area in North West NSW will travel over 1,400km to have their voices heard by the Santos board and shareholders.

We need South Australians to turn up in support and show Santos some home-grown opposition to its risky plans.

Recently NSW has seen many people-powered victories against CSG. Now, Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga is the last CSG proposal in the state and the NSW Gasfield Free movement is focused on this final front.

The Pilliga forest is the largest woodland left in Eastern Australia and a critical recharge zone for the Great Artesian Basin.

We must make sure that Santos’ new CEO, its board and shareholders know without a doubt that it’s not just NSW people determined to stop CSG in the Pilliga but that South Australians are also aware and opposed to these risky plans.

2. Hands Across the Sand ADELAIDE EVENT – Facebook information here
Saturday 21st May 2016, 11:00am at Glenelg Beach Foreshore, near the jetty.

It is time again to join hands at Glenelg Beach and say NO to risky deepsea drilling in our Great Australian Bight and YES to clean energy and a low carbon economy.… Read more >>

Federal Government attacks on environmental groups

The Federal government is now attacking environmental groups on two fronts.

1. One inquiry well under way is the following attempt to remove tax free donation status of environmental charities like Friends of the Earth.

“The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment will inquire into and report on the administration and transparency of the Register of Environmental Organisations (the Register) and its effectiveness in supporting communities to take practical action to improve the environment.” More information here.

Friends of the Earth Australia has made a submission and hearings are being held around the country. The Adelaide hearing is scheduled for September 1st – location to be announced. The hearing will be open to the public and we intend to have a representative monitor the Adelaide event.  Friends of the Earth are appearing before the inquiry in Melbourne on September 21st – location to be announced.

2. “The Abbott government has revealed plans to repeal a section of Australia’s environment laws that allows green groups to challenge approvals for mining projects and other large developments in the courts. Federal Attorney-General George Brandis said the government would seek to repeal section 487 (2) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and “return to the common law”, after it was used successfully by the Mackay Conservation Group to overturn the federal environment minister’s approval of the Carmichael mega-coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.” Renew Economy: The six big lies in Tony Abbott’s attack on the environment

The Six Big Lies in Tony Abbott’s attack on the environment:

Lie 1. It’s the economy versus the environment

Lie 2. The parade of projects

Lie 3. Coal jobs at risk

Lie 4. Activists destroying the industry

Lie 5. The cost of emissions reductions

Lie 6. The sheer hypocrisy of it all

A good article at the Guardian article: George Brandis says vigilante green groups are destroying thousands of mining jobs

You are invited to sign the PETITION to Attorney George Brandis asking him to:

Stop Abbott government destroying Australia’s environmental laws.

Read more >>

100% Renewable Energy for SA – in just 15 years! Wed August 19th

100% Renewable Energy for SA – in just 15 years!

Wed August 19th 6:30pm

Kings Head Hotel, King William St Adelaide

SA is the standout state – today getting 40% of its electricity from renewable sources – at least 3 times more than any other mainland state in Australia. Great!

Did you know we could hit 100% renewable electricity? And in just 15 years?

This is one of the findings of the Conservation SA commissioned report by energy expert Dr Mark Diesendorf of the University of NSW.

It will not only clean up our environment to do our share to halt climate change, it will continue to bring down our state’s electricity costs.

Come and hear:

1. Julia Winefield of Conservation SA speak on the report together with

2. Margaret Hender of CORENA and

3. Nicki Ison of Community Power Agency

who will all indicate how we can fast track renewable energy projects in our own communities, plus what we each of us can do to ensure Dr Diesendorf’s report becomes a reality.

Order free tickets via Eventbrite

See you there!

Check out the 100% Renewables SA Facebook page