Friends of the Earth Melbourne expresses great disappointment that the Victorian government has deferred setting the state’s first interim Emissions Reduction Targets. It is the second time this has occurred.

When the Andrews government strengthened the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017  it introduced deadlines to ensure our state’s response to the climate crisis is swift and steady. It demonstrated a keen awareness of the urgency of the issue when enshrining these deadlines in law.

Since 2017, community members across the state have been calling on the government to set science-based targets that contribute towards the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C.

It is an outcome that would accelerate the rollout of renewables, increase investment in sustainable transport, require greater protection of forests and the natural world, and help protect communities from intensifying impacts. 

Friends of the Earth Melbourne has released a statement in response to the Victorian government's delay to setting interim Emissions Reduction Targets.

It is the second time a decision on the targets has been delayed.

Friends of the Earth's Act on Climate coordinator, Leigh Ewbank, said: 

"Despite our deep disappointment about the delay, we believe it is essential that the Victorian government makes the right decision, not a rushed decision on climate targets."

How to speak to decision makers about sustainable and accessible transport issues facing Victoria:

Use these resources to effectively engage your MP in transport issues that affect you.

We're fighting for a liveable, fairer and more connected city. We want to see more investment in public transport like Melbourne Metro 2 (MM2), no new major roads, and better infrastructure for active travel.

Friends of the Earth podcast history series made in collaboration with 3CR 855 AM community radio show Acting Up!  
Monday 2.00pm.  Ratbags, peaceniks and agents of change, resistance radio that explores the movements that made us. 

45 years of Acting Up!  Friends of the Earth International Focus audio episode

Listen up mp3
Presenter: Em Gayfer
Guests: Lee Tan (FOE local & international groups), Peter Hayes (FOE Australia & FOE International groups), Hye Lin (FOE South Korea), Sam Cossar Gilbert (FOE International, Economic Justice collective).

Since 1971, Friends of the Earth International has evolved into a diverse, vibrant and decentralised network of 73 member groups from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.  Friends of the Earth International works to unite grassroots activism supporting effective national and international campaigns to protect the environment and create sustainable societies.  Read a brief history and join Friends of the Earth, to act local, think global to mobilise, resist and transform.

Friends of the Earth podcast history series made in collaboration with 3CR 855 AM community radio show Acting Up!    Monday 2.00pm.  Ratbags, peaceniks and agents of change, resistance radio that explores the movements that made us. 

45 years of Acting Up!  Friends of the Earth Radioactive Tours audio episode

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Presenter: Em Gayfer.
Guests: Ila Marks, Linda Marks, Jemila Rushton, and Meryl Yusef interviewed by Phil Evans.

RAD Tour Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, South Australia

Travel with Friends of the Earth’s Radioactive Exposure Tours (RAD Tours*) to discover how nuclear testing, uranium mining and radioactive waste affects Aboriginal Traditional Owners and communities across Australia, and how solidarity wins.  The first Nuclear Exposure tour hit the road in 1990, with RAD tours continuing into 2018.  RAD Tour participants hear Traditional Owners share stories and knowledge, witness the social and environmental impacts the nuclear industry has on communities and country, building alliances and educating people along the way.  Read a brief history, listen to more podcasts and learn how we can end radioactive racism and live nuclear-free.  
*RAD Tours are not available in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

State Minister for Resources, Jaclyn Symes, has today announced that permits have been granted to Beach Energy and Bridgeport Energy to explore for gas in state waters near Portland and Port Campbell. 

Updates from the Food Coop and Cafe:

The FoE Food Co-op and Cafe remains open for click-and-collect online ordering!
Place your order via the website to pick up with minimal faff!

The Food Coop and Cafe is still open for shopping in-store. We operating with necessary physical distancing and hygiene measures in place.

Open daily during the Melbourne lockdown for organic bulk food and grocery shopping, and serving vegan takeaway meals.

Monday-Friday 10-6 / Saturday 10-5 / Sunday 11-4

We rely on healthy ecosystems for our survival. Victoria is the most cleared state in the country and natural ecosystems have faced centuries of land clearing, logging, invasion of invasive species and, now fire seasons that are being made worse by climate change. More than 120 Victorian animals, birds, plants, insects and fish are threatened with extinction. 

Last summer’s bushfires burnt more than 1 million hectares. As a result of the Black Summer fires:

- 31% of VIC's rainforests have burnt, as well as 24% of wet or damp forests, and 34% of lowland forests

- 100% of the potential habitat of East Gippsland galaxias (a small native fish) have burnt 

- 40% of sooty owl, long-footed potoroo, diamond python, brush-tailed rock-wallaby and long-nosed bandicoot habitat has burnt

Now the Victorian parliament has announced an Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline. This is an important opportunity to show that the community wants to see ecosystems restored and species protected from extinction.

Please check below for a draft submission that you could use or adapt and send to the Inquiry.

Friends of the Earth podcast history series made in collaboration with 3CR 855 AM community radio show Acting Up!    Monday 2.00pm.  Ratbags, peaceniks and agents of change, resistance radio that explores the movements that made us.

45 years of Acting Up!  Friends of the Earth Queer & Feminist History audio episode

Listen up mp3
Presenters: Em Gayfer and Megan Williams
Guests: Trish Luker (Chain Reaction magazine), Lyn Harriott and Beth Mellick, (former FOE bookshop coordinators), and Sam Castro (FOE Gender Justice working group)

International Women’s Day March, Melbourne

This episode looks back to the feminist and LGBTQ history of Friends of the Earth and the intersections informing our actions today. From the 1970s onwards, Friends of the Earth stood in solidarity for Indigenous land rights, women and gay rights, peace and conservation movements, shaping our policies and practices.  Keep reading to find out how to join Friends of the Earth and support our social, economic and environmental justice campaigns.