Tag Archive: Sustainability

Frydenberg Fridays – let the Minister responsible for national nuclear waste dumps know how you feel

robyn June 6, 2016

Frydenberg Fridays – an initiative of the ACE Collective, Friends of the Earth Melbourne

Contact the Federal Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg to oppose the dumping of Australia’s radioactive waste on the Adnyamathanha people and support the local communities in opposition to a national radioactive waste dump in the Flinders Ranges.

South Australia is at risk of being turned into the nation’s nuclear waste dump.

The Turnbull Government is advancing plans to build a national nuclear waste dump in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. The announcement in April 2016 named Barndioota – Wallerbidina as the site.

We need your support to protect this region from nuclear waste.

The Wallerbidina site is of great cultural, historical and spiritual significance to Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners, who are calling this decision a desecration of their culture. Regina McKenzie, who lives at Yappala Station near the dump site, says: “The area is Adnyamathanha land. It is Arngurla Yarta (spiritual land). The proposed dump site has countless thousands of Aboriginal artifacts. Our ancestors are buried there. The nominated site is a significant women’s site. Throughout the area are registered cultural heritage sites and places of huge importance to our people.”

Friends of the Earth has been working closely with Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners who are united in their opposition to the proposed dump.

Regina McKenzie and her family are asking for support.

One way you can do this is by contacting Minister Frydenberg and expressing concern about the national dump plans. In the lead up to the final decision, your voice can be a powerful support to the Adnyamathanha people and will be appreciated for generations to come.

To contact Minister Frydenberg:

Call his Melbourne office – (03) 9882 3677

Send an email – josh.frydenberg.mp@aph.gov.au

Write a letter – 695 Burke Road, Camberwell VIC 3124

Some points to mention in your letter/email to Minister Frydenberg:

Impact on Aboriginal Traditional Owners

The Adnyamathanha community is unanimously opposed to the development of the proposed nuclear waste dump at Wallerbidina Station, and view this proposal as an attack on their cultural beliefs, history and heritage.… Read more >>

Actions, Environmental Law, FoE, Nuclear, Old_Notes, Publications

anti-nuclear, friends of the earth, Sustainability

Break free from fossil fuels – Australian action in Newcastle

robyn April 29, 2016

Friends of the Earth Adelaide send their best wishes to the crew in Newcastle for their fossil free action on 7-8 May – if you’d like to join in the information is at the link below.

“As part of an international wave of climate action, join us to stop coal exports in Newcastle – the worlds largest coal port.”

http://australia.breakfree2016.org/

“This May, thousands of people will come together around the world for bold actions to keep fossil fuels in the ground.”

“In Australia, hundreds of people from all walks of life will take a stand at the world’s largest coal port of Newcastle to stop the export of pollution.”

“Our actions will speak louder than politician’s words as we send a message to leaders everywhere that it’s time for real action to keep fossil fuels in the ground.”

Actions, Clean Futures, Climate, Old_Notes

climate change, Sustainability

Invitation: The GM-Free Australia Alliance (GMFAA) April 2-4 in Melbourne

robyn March 17, 2016

Friends of the Earth are a member group of the GM-Free Australia Alliance.

The GM-Free Australia Alliance (GMFAA) would like to extend you a warm invitation to attend the 9th Annual GMFAA Conference in Melbourne, 2nd-4th April.
As global GMO and chemical conglomerates consolidate their grip on farming and seed ownership, our networks are gaining strength to combat their hold over the future of food on our planet.
Seed saving, community gardening, food hubs, regenerative agriculture and indigenous food movements are growing and gaining popularity.
That is why strategic work like ours is so important.
The Alliance brings together campaigners from Foodwatch WA, SAGFIN, Gene Ethics, MADGE and Friends of the Earth with activists based in the Pacific and New Zealand.
Topics covered will include:
· Creating glyphosate-free spaces.

· GM-free food labelling, the GM-Free Shopping list and using social media to promote GM-Free food choices.

GM-free zones and the right to farm GM-Free.

· World-wide threat : New GM techniques are escaping regulation.

· How the industrial food system drives climate change.

· Solidarity with indigenous groups – protecting our region, seeds and food production from climate disasters and biopiracy.

****************************************************************************************************** Keynote Discussion:
10am to 12.00 on Sunday 3rd April at the Green Building
Networking Cool Food Futures – an invitation to join forces – with Nick Rose, Sustain and Fran Murrell, MADGE

*********************************************************************************************************
Social night :
7pm on Monday 4th April at Friends of the Earth, 312 Smith St, Collingwood.
Snacks, skits and GM-free songs. GMFAA fundraiser.

*********************************************************************************************************

The GMFAA Conference will be held at the Green Building, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, Melbourne, Australia.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please RSVP and we will send the full Agenda for the weekend.

More info : GMFAA Co-ordinator Jessica Harrison 0407307231
info@gmfreeaustralia.org.au
GM-Free Australia Alliance Inc www.gmfreeaustralia.org.au

Food

*events*, farming, food sovereignty, Sustainability

“Don’t Nuke the Climate” bloc at the People’s Climate Rally Nov 29th

robyn November 10, 2015

On November 29th, will you help create the biggest climate march the world has ever seen?

As world leaders gather in Paris to discuss a global agreement on climate change, we will be part of an international movement- on Sunday November 29th.

Starting from the Torrens Parade Ground, we will march for a transition to renewable energy, secure job creation, and a fairer, more resilient economy, for clean air, a healthy environment, and for a safe climate in the People’s Jobs Justice Climate March.

In a vibrant, musical, and visually creative show of people power and the diversity of our movement, the march will take us down King William Street through the centre of Adelaide.

We will march in sector blocks, each making up a part of the collective, while demonstrating its unique qualities through banners, placards, costumes etc.

At Victoria Square/Tarndanyangga the march will blend into a festival, where there will be music, food, speeches, and stalls.

Join the anti-nuclear “Don’t Nuke the Climate” block and march behind our SA: RENEWABLE NOT RADIOACTIVE banner. Meet 10:30am Torrens Parade Ground on the day.

Contact Robyn Wood for more info robyn.wood@foe.org.au 0423 219 096

Actions, Clean Futures, Climate, Nuclear, Old_Notes

Adelaide, anti-nuclear, clean futures collective, climate change, community, friends of the earth, Sustainability

Federal Government attacks on environmental groups

robyn August 20, 2015

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.

climate change, community, divestment, friends of the earth, Mining, Sustainability