Here is the Act on Climate crew's update on what we've been up to in September, what's coming up, and ways you can get involved!
With less than two months to go until the state election, we need plenty of hands on deck to put climate justice on the agenda of all candidates.
Want to get in amongst the plans we've got coming up to do just that?
RSVP for an upcoming collective meeting if you're keen to get in on the action - no experience required, just passion for climate justice.
Here's an update on our past month of action, and some exciting things coming up...
BRING THE NOISE for Climate Justice!
Friends of the Earth Melbourne's big annual fundraiser: It's a bit like the Amazing Race, but for climate defenders...
Will you join us to Bring the Noise on November 5th for a day of climate action?
Together we'll be taking as many actions as possible in one day, in Melbourne's CBD, to call out the climate criminals and demand action on the solutions we need.
Our Act on Climate collective has started a team - we’d love you to join it!
If you can't make it on the day, you can sponsor people on the Act on Climate team with a donation. Your support will help Friends of the Earth keep fighting for people and planet.
Sign up to join the Act on Climate team on the day.
Sponsor a team or person here - help us hit our fundraising goals!
Join us for Politics in the Paddock
Join us down on the Merri Creek at the beautiful Joe's Market Garden to gather round the fire, kick back to the sweet tunes of some local musicians with a coffee and pastry, and hear about our upcoming campaign plans including how you can get involved.
No prior knowledge or experience needed. Just a passion for environmental justice and community action.
Sunday October 23, 10:30am - RSVP here.
Climate Impacts at Work Report launched
A couple of weeks ago, Friends of the Earth launched our completed Climate Impacts at Work report: a collaboration with RMIT University’s Climate Resilience Living Lab and six Victorian unions to conduct pioneering research into how workers in different industries are already on the frontlines of climate change.
After launching the report, we headed into Vic Parliament House to brief Andrews government MPs on the report's findings. It was good to have Climate & Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio join for the briefing.
If you want to check out the report, it's here.
Or for a shorter summary, have a read of this article we got in The Conversation.
Three big Victorian climate updates: Emissions falling, coal out, renewable storage in
Over the last few weeks, three massive announcements have highlighted the strides we're now making in Victoria on climate action.
Here's what was announced...
-
Record Emissions Cuts: Victoria's 2020 greenhouse gas performance data was published (it's always two years behind) and showed us something pretty exciting: between 2010 and 2020, Victoria's emissions fell by 30%.
This outcome is a win for the communities around the state which have been working hard to fight for climate justice and advance climate solutions on the ground - and the smart, forward-planning climate policy at the state level which we've campaigned for many years to see built.
-
Another Coal Plant to Close: Last week, power company AGL announced that it would close its Loy Yang A coal-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley by 2035 - ten years earlier than previously scheduled.
It's another sign that energy companies are seeing the writing on the wall for coal fired power. But as our Latrobe Valley local Wendy Farmer says, 'we can't keep leaving the energy transition to private companies'. We need the state and federal governments to coordinate a fully-funded just transition plan out of coal, so that communities can plan ahead with certainty.
Read more about it here.
-
Vic Renewable Energy Storage Target: In the same week as Loy Yang A's closure was announced, the Andrews government announced a plan to introduce a Victorian Renewable Energy Storage Target.
This means that as our coal power stations close, our state will be prepared to replace their electricity supply with a base load of renewable energy power.
Read our response here.
All in all, it shows that the work that we as communities fighting for climate justice have put in for years is paying off. We're not done yet - and we need to accelerate the pace. But we're a step further along the road.
Reading & Listening to go with your cuppa
- Dirt Radio: Lauren Rickards, Todd Denham and Anna Langford unpack the Climate Impacts at Work report findings
- Dirt Radio: Dealing with dead infrastructure - what's the solution to the abandoned oil and gas rigs off our coasts?
- ABC: The future of the Latrobe Valley after Loy Yang A power station's closure
- Friends of the Earth: Read about the Victorian Greens' new policy to urgently end native forest logging with a full transition plan for workers.
Events coming up for the calendar:
- Oct 1, 7pm: Australia's First Offshore Wind Zone: What it means for Gippsland (Yes 2 Renewables)
- Oct 6, 1pm: Friends of the Earth new volunteer session (online)
- Oct 7-22: Spring Rebellion (Extinction Rebellion)
- Oct 9: Folk the System Fundraiser (Black Spark Cultural Centre)
- Oct 13: Multi-faith Service for Climate Justice (Australian Religious Response to Climate Change)
- Oct 16: Heal Country film screening (SEED Mob)
- Oct 20: Brunswick Candidates Forum
- Oct 21: Tall Trees Festival (Warburton Environment)
- Oct 23: Politics in the Paddock (Friends of the Earth)
- Oct 29: Albert Park Candidates Forum
- Nov 5: Bring The Noise (Friends of the Earth)
And remember, you're always welcome to join Act on Climate's weekly meetings. Register here for the details.
That's all from us for now. But please get in touch if you have questions or fancy a chat.