Welcome to Friends of the Earth Melbourne April news our state-wide monthly update. It's time for climate action, Good Grief seminars, koala petition, forest surveys, Koontapool Yakeen Southern Right Whale Dreaming protection, green light for Delburn wind farm, our membership drive, plus more.
Federal Election campaign action
With the long awaited announcement about election day 21 May, we now have about 6 weeks to ensure climate is an issue that matters to all political parties and in the media debate. At the very least, parties must agree to: Uphold the Glasgow Climate Pact and take an increased 2030 Emissions Reduction Target to the climate negotiations in Egypt later this year. Adopt a science-based target to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030. Sign our climate petition here.
ACT NOW: Call on Federal govt MPs for a science-based climate target here
Put climate on the agenda at community forums
Community forums are a great opportunity not only to get your issues raised in front of candidates, but also other community members. The more people hear about climate change at these events, the more likely it will be a top agenda item and get the attention it deserves. With any luck, we might even get some last minute commitments from the candidates and inspire some policy announcements. The most important thing to do is attend—better yet—bring along your friends and family to the event! Read more.
Act on Climate update
Communities on the frontline of climate impacts have shown incredible courage and resilience in response to the latest disasters. We keep them front-of-mind as we fight for urgent action on climate here in Victoria. Here's a quick update on our efforts in March and upcoming actions. Read more.
Become a friend of the earth during our Membership Drive!
Membership is open to anyone passionate about environmental and social justice. All Friends of the Earth members receive:
- A discount at the Friends of the Earth Food Co-op and Cafe
- A subscription to our Chain Reaction magazine and printed newsletter
- Special prices to FoE ticketed events
- Access to community meeting rooms and multimedia spaces
Become a Friends of the Earth member here
Good Grief 10 steps workshops in April
New start date: Tuesday 26 April 2022
(Please get in touch with any booking issues as we had a couple of glitches. Safari seems to work better if you have access to Safari.)
Free spot/s: We have had a kind supporter pay for a place for a lucky participant, and we will never turn anyone away for financial reasons, so please feel free to enquire if ticket price is a barrier. Read more & register here
Take action: help get Vic off gas
The Morrison government’s “gas-fired recovery” undermines Victoria’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis and aims to keep households, businesses, and industry chained to expensive and polluting gas. Meanwhile, the Victorian government is now preparing a Gas Substitution Roadmap that could accelerate our state’s transition from polluting fossil fuels to clean, efficient, and renewable energy technologies. The next state budget on Tuesday 3 May is just around the corner. It’s an opportunity for the government to invest in initiatives to reduce our dependence on fossil gas. Will you email Treasurer Tim Pallas to demonstrate strong community support for measures that help get dirty and expensive gas out of our homes? Take action here.
United voice of protection: Koontapool Yakeen / Southern Right Whale Dreaming
Every year Koontapool (Southern Right Whales) return to their birthing grounds along the coastlines of South West Victoria. Travelling up from the colder Southern and Antarctic waters, they use the southern coast, waters and songlines to navigate their journeys to and through Gunditjmara Sea Country to feed and birth. These families of Baleen cetaceans, sonar/song speaking navigating mammals, are Gunditjmara Ancestors. Over the past year we have seen state and federal governments earmark vast expanses of Gunditjmara Sea Country for a massive expansion of gas mining as part of a national economic recovery.
We have big plans for the year ahead. To stay up to date with how you can stand with Gunditjmara communities against new offshore gas developments, find the Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective on Facebook, and sign up here for updates from our No More Gas Collective. Read more.
Strzelecki koala EPBC online petition
Join us in amplifying our recent nomination to protect the Strzelecki koala under the EPBC Act! Read more.
Forest walk Little Dargo River event
Join us for a walk to experience the beauty that is the Little Dargo, Sunday 24 April, 9.30am for a 10 am start. Finish time around 3pm. This is a free trip, open to anyone with a moderate level of fitness. Please note this trip involves about 4 hours of walking, half of which is of a steep to moderate grade on a rough track. You will need moderate fitness to be able to do the trip.
Read more.
Numbers are limited so you will need to RSVP here. A full gear list and details on where to meet will be sent once you RSVP.
Forest collective Survey Saturdays spotlight for Greater Gliders in April
Join local community members in the Central Highlands to search for the threatened Greater Glider and save their forest homes from devastating clear-fell logging. This will be a recurring event Saturdays in April. Read more.
Green light for Delburn wind farm
In a key moment for Victoria’s transition to renewable energy, the Latrobe Valley’s first wind farm has been approved by Victorian planning minister Richard Wynne MP. Once constructed, the Delburn wind farm will be situated in pine plantation south of Morwell and overlook the retired Hazelwood coal fired power station and mine site. Read more.
Volunteer with Friends of the Earth Melbourne
Volunteering with us is a fun and rewarding way to get involved in organising for environmental and social justice.
Read more & register your interest here.
3CR Dirt Radio episodes
Listen back to 3CR Dirt Radio episodes with grassroots activists on Blockade Australia, Holding Corporations Accountable, and the Nuclear Threat in the Ukraine. Listen here.