In November news, calling for members, AGM talking Treaty, Transport Trivia night, Act on Climate Activators and Garage Sale, No Nuclear Energy submission, civil society statement on COP29, Indigenous Disaster Resilience gathering and Walking with Traditional Owners, secret forest plans, solar power, plus more!
We are calling for Friends of the Earth Melbourne members! Support grassroots social and environmental justice to make change happen together. From $10 a month, there are many ways to become a member. Please help us to keep the lights on, the internet working and provide essential support to the Friends of the Earth community and our vital campaigning work. Become a member of Friends of the Earth Melbourne today! Thanks a million for your support.
FoE members are invited to our 2024 AGM in person at Friends of the Earth Melbourne Food Co-op and Cafe, 6pm-7.45pm Thurs 14 Nov. Hear from special guest speakers Claire Hyett and Kaylah Tyson from the First People’s Assembly of Victoria to share more about Treaty for Victoria. AGM 2024 info & RSVP.
Events coming up!
Join us for Transport Trivia Thursday from 6.30pm 21 Nov at Brick Lane Brewery Room, a fun fundraiser for Better Buses!
Info & RSVP.
Zoom into our Climate Adaptation Activators Call #3: Heat 6pm-7.30pm Thurs 5 Dec. Info & RSVP.
Come along to our Act on Climate Garage Sale fundraiser Sat 7 Dec at FoE HQ Collingwood. Info & RSVP.
Walking with Traditional Owners
FoE has a long and proud history of working as allies with many traditional owner groups. In Victoria, two key processes have converged to offer First Nations people remarkable opportunities – firstly, the Treaty process which is currently being negotiated with the state government. And secondly, the end of native forest logging on public lands. In central and northern Victoria, the Dja Dja Wurrung (Djaara) are implementing Galk-galk Dhelkunya – also known as ‘forest gardening’. It has raised deep concerns among some in the forest conservation movement. FoE has been organising walks and work trips to the test site in the Wombat forest so that our members and supporters can get a direct experience of the vision and practise behind Galk-galk Dhelkunya. If you would like to join one of our trips please get in touch: [email protected] For some background, please check this article.
National Indigenous Disaster Resilience gathering 2024
Friends of the Earth attended the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience (NIDR) Gathering 2024 on Bundjalung Country in Lismore last month, September 2024. The gathering showcased Indigenous leadership and excellence in disaster resilience, emergency management, community recovery, and caring for Country. It was a privilege to be present for the gathering’s Indigenous-led dialogue and the Indigenous knowledge that was shared. The gathering included on-Country activities, such as a cultural burn. The event really highlighted how Indigenous people caring for the land reduces disaster risk, as well as the need for First Nations people to be not only part of the conversation, but leading the conversation around climate resilience. As stated by a speaker at the event, “the colonisers have shared their ideas, it’s time to turn that around and for mob to share their ideas.” Read more.
Hancock Victoria Plantations secret forest plans
Local conservation group, Gippsland Forest Guardians (GFG) are calling on Hancock Victorian Plantations Pty Ltd (HVP) to be open and transparent with their plans for forestry on our Crown land. Under Freedom of Information laws the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner decided in favour of releasing the Fellas Coupe Timber Harvest Plan to the Gippsland Forest Guardians but HVP have now appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to stop the release of the documents. Read more.
Watch this youtube update on Brataualung forest park handback.
Nuclear Energy Generation Inquiry: how to make a submission
Make your submission for the Inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia before Friday Nov 15. Have your say to ensure our shared energy future is based on community input. The Federal Parliament has established an inquiry to consider the potential role of nuclear power in Australia. Nuclear power would seriously obstruct the renewable energy transition by funneling public money away from viable and cost-effective renewable energy solutions. The pro-nuclear advocates keep saying that they don't see hundreds and thousands on the streets opposing this, so assume there is general consent. This is our chance to show up and make clear that we don not need or want nuclear power.
The most effective way is to make your own submission using information from the sources listed below. It does not have to be long. 1-2 pages is enough to tell them why you care and why nuclear power does not make sense. The easiest way to make a submission is to use our pro-forma template, add your name and suburb to the top of the online submission here, replace the text in brackets with a sentence about why you feel strongly about this, then click the green 'Send my submission' button. Feel free to choose some of the arguments in the text and/or add your own comments. You can also watch a recording of a recent briefing on how to make a submission.
Read more & please make a submission by 15 Nov 2024.
Civil society statement on COP 29
11 NOVEMBER 2024 - As world leaders gather for today's opening of the COP 29 climate summit in Baku, Australian civil society groups are sending a clear message to the conference and the federal Coalition, with a statement opposing nuclear power in Australia. The statement will be shared with delegates and representatives and presented in a press conference on November 15 in the COP Press room. Endorsing organisations include leading environment, social justice, faith, First Nations and trade union voices. Read more.
Victorian solar electrification next steps
As Victorians install solar in droves, what are the next steps to make sure everyone can be part of the change? More and more Victorians are putting solar on their rooftops thanks to the Vic Solar Homes program, making a dent in emissions and helping people cut down on electricity prices. But there is still more to do, and there is a clear need to increase access for renters.
As the world transitions to renewables, Australia’s shift to wind and solar is ramping up, with close to 40% of the country’s electricity generation in 2023 coming from renewable sources as compared to just 17% in 2017, an increase in 23 percentage points or 19.6% increase over 6 years. Wind (13.4%) and grid-scale solar (7%) accounted for 20.4% of electricity generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in 2023, with rooftop solar contributing close to 11.2%, hydropower 6.5% and bioenergy 1.4% to the total electricity mix. According to the Australian Energy Market Operator, the pathway to shifting our energy system to renewables requires building three times current grid-scale variable renewable energy by 2030. At the same time, installing rooftop solar and battery storage on many more households, increasing home energy efficiency will be vital to help reduce electricity demand overall. Read more.
Climate Adaptation 2025-2026 budget proposals
The Victorian Government’s investment in climate adaptation needs to be larger and ongoing to enable the immediate and extensive adaptations to prepare for now unavoidable climate impacts. Act on Climate is calling on the Victorian government to establish a permanent Victorian Community Climate Adaptation Fund (VCCAF) to reduce costs to the Government and Victorians by keeping people, Country and infrastructure safe from the risks presented by the climate impacts that are unavoidable and here now.
Act on Climate is also proposing a Climate Impact Statement in the State Budget in order to align public spending with its obligations to the Climate Change Act (2017) — the implementation of the state climate strategy and adaptation action plans. Read a summary of our proposals below. Or view our full AoC 2025/26 BUDGET PROPOSALS document. Read more.
Emerald Resilience Inquiry Hearing
The Victorian government is running an Inquiry into Climate Resilience, looking into the preparedness of communities facing climate disasters across the state. The submissions stage of the Resilience Inquiry process is closed, and the committee undertaking the Inquiry is now conducting hearings.
The third of these hearings was in Emerald at the Lakeside Centre on 10 October 2024. At the event, local councils, emergency support groups and businesses, Emerald Community House Centre of Resilience, and others spoke to the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee about local climate resilience. Concerned members of the Dandenong Ranges, Greater Dandenong, and wider South East Melbourne community went along to hear them speak. Before going into the hearing, community members gathered outside to show support for government funding of community-led climate adaptation. They held up a banner with the words ‘Fund Community Climate Resilience’ on it.
“To prepare for locked-in climate impacts, we need adequate and ongoing funding for community-led adaptation work. This funding will enable communities to fulfil their plans to build resilient communities in a changing climate and keep those most at risk safe,” Vicky Ellmore, Act on Climate Community Organiser, said. Read more.
Aireys Inlet Resilience Inquiry Hearing
The fourth Resilience Inquiry Hearings was held in Aireys Inlet at the Aireys Inlet Community Centre on 23 October 2024. At the event, local government, Victorian Marine and Coastal Council, local business, Barwon South West Climate Alliance, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Aireys Inlet and District Association, and others spoke to the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee about local climate resilience. The following West Coast communities were represented at the hearing: Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, and Port Fairy. Read more.
A reflection on the US election
As the world’s largest economy and a global superpower, what happens in the USA affects us all. Last week’s US election saw Donald Trump win the presidency. The impacts will be dire: for the environment and climate, for working and gender diverse people, women and minorities – who collectively make up the majority of people in the USA. It will also have implications on global climate action and could influence the rise of right wing populism here in Australia. There is a reflection from Friends of the Earth available here.
Hop along to our Kangaroo Collective volunteer gatherings, first Thursday of the month from 6pm, or send your EOI to become a volunteer, and join the Food Co-op & Cafe.
Listen back to 3CR Dirt Radio past episodes here.