A MAKE-or-break moment for our planet is now only six months away. In Copenhagen this December, the world will try to find a deal on climate change — and we have to succeed. Whether we do so cannot be left until the winter, and cannot be left to politicians alone. As part of our contribution and to open up debate, the British Government is publishing our suggestions for what the deal should include.
In some negotiations, the Government’s position can seem like a state secret. We’re taking the opposite approach — sending it to schools, putting it online, discussing it as much as we can — because these climate change talks are not like any other negotiations in recent history. More than any other, they will affect everybody’s lives. And, more than any other negotiations, governments might be the ones to sign the deal, but governments and people together will need to deliver it. [Read more...]
Energy and Water
City residents getting water complacent
Are Australia’s city residents getting complacent about water conservation?Across Australia the number of capital city residents who believe the water situation is extremely serious has dropped by 17 percentage points - from 44% to 27% - in the past two years.
This is a key finding from the third annual Newspoll survey commissioned by the Smart Approved WaterMark, the national symbol for products and services which assist in saving water outdoors.
The CEO of the Smart WaterMark, Mr Julian Gray, said today that last year’s decrease in concern had continued, linked to rainfall events in some capital cities. The total who consider the water situation either very or extremely serious has also dropped from 84% to 69%. [Read more...]
Events
2009 BANKSIA ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS FINALISTS
THE 2009 BANKSIA ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS FINALISTS
Congratulations to all our 2009 finalists: -
Details about each of the finalists are available on the Banksia website
Education Award
(Award supported by Banksia Environmental Foundation)
Clean Energy for Eternity
Clean Energy for Eternity, NSW
The Green Steps Program
Monash University Sustainability Institute, VIC
Lowan Behold - A Mallefowl Education Initiative
Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group Inc., VIC
MyPOWER – Youth-Led National Bike Tour for Sustainable Living
MyPOWER, NSW
TravelSmart Households in the West
Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, SA
Uniting to Change the Tide - Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch
Kangaroo Island Dolphin Watch, SA [Read more...]
Food
Invite to public forums in NSW
Public forums in NSW: GE crops - the benefits and risks?
Australia is currently at a cross-roads, with genetically modified (GM) canola being grown for the first time last year. Before farmers can decide whether they want to go down the GM path they need to be aware of all the potential benefits and risks associated with GM crops.
These public forums provide an important opportunity to talk directly with farmers from North America, where GM crops have been grown commercially for more than a decade. Speakers will discuss issues such as benefit gained, corporate influence, costs, segregation of GM crops, legal concerns and the effect GM crops have had on markets:
The Speakers
Moe Parr – a seed cleaner from Indiana in the USA who was recently sued by Monsanto.
Ross Murray - a third generation seed grower and grain cleaner from Young, Saskatchewan, Canada.? ??
Details on NSW forums: ?
Sydney ?Friday, 13th March, 10-11.30am ?Waratah Room, New South Wales Parliament, Macquarie Street, Sydney ?Contact: Graham Strong: (02) 6959 8656, 0428 598 656??
Cootamundra ?Saturday, 14th March, 10-11.30am ?Stephen Ward Room, Cootamundra Library, corner of Wallendoon & Thompson Streets, Cootamundra ?Contact: Graham Strong: (02) 6959 8656, 0428 598 656??
Wagga Wagga ?Monday, 16th March, 7-8.30pm ?Commercial Club, 77 Gurwood St, Wagga Wagga ?Contact: Graham Strong: (02) 6959 8656, 0428 598 656 ??
Orange ?Tuesday, 17th March, 2-3.30pm ?Moresby Room, Orange Ex-Services’ Club, 231 - 243 Anson Street, Orange ?Contact: Graham Strong: (02) 6959 8656, 0428 598 656???
Yours for True Food,??
The Greenpeace GE team
Politics
Sydney Joins Climate Neutral Network
The City of Sydney has been invited to join the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), an initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote global awareness and actions to support climate neutrality at all levels of society.
As the first government in Australia to achieve carbon neutrality, we are ideally placed to provide other network members with advice on this and our other Sustainable Sydney 2030 initiatives.
We will use the network to share and learn from innovative ideas and success stories.
The relaunch of Printer Workz:Small Business joins the corporate ranks by going Carbon Neutral
Ecohotel Sets the Standard for Sustainable Tourism in Australia
