This week we look at a couple incredible women doing great things to raise awareness about climate change. We also take a look at the positive and negative impact of the recent rain in NSW and the development of renewable energy in Australia.
A book spreads hope for climate action
The Future we Choose is a new book by Paris Climate Agreement architects and is building a message of hope and unity in the fight against climate change. Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac have constructed a vision of a prosperous and sustainable future and discuss how to reach it in their book. They compare the worst and best case scenarios of the future to highlight the impact of our actions today on the world of 2050. Get a copy of their book now and get inspired and empowered.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/15/best-case-scenario-2050-climate-crisis-future-we-choose-christiana-figueres-tom-rivett-carnac
Zali Steggall proposes a climate change bill
On March 23, Independent MP Zali Steggall will present her Climate Change 2020 Bill to the House of Representatives in an effort to break the government’s climate dead-lock. In her bill, Steggall has urged the government to commit to reducing net emissions to zero by 2050 (already promised by 60 countries) and she proposes 5-yearly carbon budgets to help achieve this goal. She also outlines adaptation and mitigation measures and proposes the formation of a Climate Change Commission to facilitate these changes and advise parliament. Steggall’s bill has enormous industry support however, the bill needs the support of MPs; sign her petition here to call on MPs to back the Climate Change 2020 Bill.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/11/mike-cannon-brookes-says-zali-steggalls-bill-could-repair-australias-reputation-on-climate
https://theconversation.com/conservative-but-green-independent-mp-zali-steggall-could-break-the-governments-climate-policy-deadlock-131644
Torrential rains welcomed in bushfire regions
The heavy rain that hit Sydney on Sunday has finally extinguished the Gosper’s Mountain bushfire which had been burning since October 26. It took the wettest four days in Sydney since 1990 to put out the ‘mega-blaze’ leaving towns flooded just weeks after being ravaged by bushfires. Fire and Rescue NSW received double the amount of emergency calls compared to the peak of the bushfire crisis as residents were evacuated and properties submerged. Miraculously, dams around the state are filling up with Warragamba dam (Sydney’s main drinking supply) heading to 70% capacity from a mere 42% before the rain. This rain has saved lives and livelihoods of farmers and has brought welcomed relief for wildlife.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-10/sydney-weather-prompts-bom-and-ses-warnings/11948158
SA is struggling to realise its dream of renewable energy while NT looks promising
An under-developed electricity grid is holding back SA in its dream to become a renewable energy superpower. While Eyre Peninsula on the coast of SA has some of the highest wind speeds on mainland Australia, there isn’t the infrastructure to distribute this energy to cities due to its remote location and slow developments. Many are frustrated by the under-utilised potential of Australia’s climate to facilitate the transition to a cleaner economy however authorities are refusing to allow solar and wind projects until the infrastructure is able to support them. This leaves a big opportunity for a new phase of development in Australia around high-voltage power lines and electricity grids. Despite this, the Minerals Council has shown support for the construction of the world’s largest solar farm in the NT as the minerals needed to construct such a project are extensive and could give a boost to the mining economy in NT.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-11/sa-renewables-future-hampered-lack-of-instructure/11935392
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-02-11/nt-mining-sector-backing-barkly-solar-farm-proposal/11951566
Storm erosion in Newcastle threatens cabins
Newcastle’s Stockton Beach experienced some of the worst erosion in NSW from the recent East coast low. As a result, much of the beach-side caravan park has been washed away with the sea now threatening the caravan park’s cabins. Crane’s were brought in to move the cabins on Tuesday morning after a childcare centre was removed a few weeks before. This type of erosion is a hard reminder of the cost of climate change as storm surges eat away at the coast and damage infrastructure.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-11/newcastle-beachside-cabins-in-danger-of-toppling-into-sea/11953274
A book spreads hope for climate action
The Future we Choose is a new book by Paris Climate Agreement architects and is building a message of hope and unity in the fight against climate change. Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac have constructed a vision of a prosperous and sustainable future and discuss how to reach it in their book. They compare the worst and best case scenarios of the future to highlight the impact of our actions today on the world of 2050. Get a copy of their book now and get inspired and empowered.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/15/best-case-scenario-2050-climate-crisis-future-we-choose-christiana-figueres-tom-rivett-carnac
Zali Steggall proposes a climate change bill
On March 23, Independent MP Zali Steggall will present her Climate Change 2020 Bill to the House of Representatives in an effort to break the government’s climate dead-lock. In her bill, Steggall has urged the government to commit to reducing net emissions to zero by 2050 (already promised by 60 countries) and she proposes 5-yearly carbon budgets to help achieve this goal. She also outlines adaptation and mitigation measures and proposes the formation of a Climate Change Commission to facilitate these changes and advise parliament. Steggall’s bill has enormous industry support however, the bill needs the support of MPs; sign her petition here to call on MPs to back the Climate Change 2020 Bill.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/11/mike-cannon-brookes-says-zali-steggalls-bill-could-repair-australias-reputation-on-climate
https://theconversation.com/conservative-but-green-independent-mp-zali-steggall-could-break-the-governments-climate-policy-deadlock-131644
Torrential rains welcomed in bushfire regions
The heavy rain that hit Sydney on Sunday has finally extinguished the Gosper’s Mountain bushfire which had been burning since October 26. It took the wettest four days in Sydney since 1990 to put out the ‘mega-blaze’ leaving towns flooded just weeks after being ravaged by bushfires. Fire and Rescue NSW received double the amount of emergency calls compared to the peak of the bushfire crisis as residents were evacuated and properties submerged. Miraculously, dams around the state are filling up with Warragamba dam (Sydney’s main drinking supply) heading to 70% capacity from a mere 42% before the rain. This rain has saved lives and livelihoods of farmers and has brought welcomed relief for wildlife.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-10/sydney-weather-prompts-bom-and-ses-warnings/11948158
SA is struggling to realise its dream of renewable energy while NT looks promising
An under-developed electricity grid is holding back SA in its dream to become a renewable energy superpower. While Eyre Peninsula on the coast of SA has some of the highest wind speeds on mainland Australia, there isn’t the infrastructure to distribute this energy to cities due to its remote location and slow developments. Many are frustrated by the under-utilised potential of Australia’s climate to facilitate the transition to a cleaner economy however authorities are refusing to allow solar and wind projects until the infrastructure is able to support them. This leaves a big opportunity for a new phase of development in Australia around high-voltage power lines and electricity grids. Despite this, the Minerals Council has shown support for the construction of the world’s largest solar farm in the NT as the minerals needed to construct such a project are extensive and could give a boost to the mining economy in NT.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-11/sa-renewables-future-hampered-lack-of-instructure/11935392
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-02-11/nt-mining-sector-backing-barkly-solar-farm-proposal/11951566
Storm erosion in Newcastle threatens cabins
Newcastle’s Stockton Beach experienced some of the worst erosion in NSW from the recent East coast low. As a result, much of the beach-side caravan park has been washed away with the sea now threatening the caravan park’s cabins. Crane’s were brought in to move the cabins on Tuesday morning after a childcare centre was removed a few weeks before. This type of erosion is a hard reminder of the cost of climate change as storm surges eat away at the coast and damage infrastructure.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-11/newcastle-beachside-cabins-in-danger-of-toppling-into-sea/11953274