In this weekly wrap-up; Koalas, activism and sustainable architecture. A collection of positive stories as well as a warning that reminds us all that we still have a lot of work to do to save our planet.
National School Sit-Down
Across Australia on Friday the 29th of November, students walked out of school and striked for climate action, this time conducting a sit down with a focus on the recent bushfires. The Bushfire Solidarity Sit-Down, organised by the School Strikers 4 Climate Action heard from survivors of bushfires in an effort to draw attention to the disastrous impacts of climate change in Australia RIGHT NOW.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/school-strike-for-climate--sees-students-march-across-country/11749566
Koalas uniting our hearts
Due to the devastating bushfires in Australia, hundreds of Koalas have been killed due to burns, dehydration and starvation. However, fortunately a number of Koala hospitals have been set up to care for injured and displaced Koalas which are not only attracting much attention but enormous amounts of donations as well.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/koala-hospital-makes-australian-gofundme-history/11749394
Indigenous settlements
Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory have followed a similar path to communities in Western Australia, seeking settlements in regards to land rights. A Yolngu leader is seeking $700 million in compensation for his clan following the acquisition of their land by the government to build a mine. Similarly, the Noongar people of South-West Australia are seeking a settlement of $290 billion for “spiritual damage” to their land.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-30/galarrwuy-yunupingu-gove-penninsula-compensation-claim/11752454
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/$290-billion-wa-native-title-claim-launched/11749206
Earth’s tipping point
Scientists are speculating that the Earth’s climate may be in more danger than previously thought with a climate break down even more likely than currently believed. They are warning of a climate emergency in which one shift in the climate can lead to another in a self-amplifying loop. There is mounting pressure on governments to declare a state of planetary emergency and to act more decisively to counter climate change.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50578516
Sustainable innovation in Architecture
The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong has aced the Living Building Challenge and become the only building in Australia to get full marks in the criteria of this sustainability challenge. The building is net energy positive (it produces more energy than it consumes) and uses rainwater for washing and toilets. This is a real innovative advancement in the field of sustainable architecture and engineering.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-30/sustainable-buildings-research-centre-living-building-challenge/11749184
Across Australia on Friday the 29th of November, students walked out of school and striked for climate action, this time conducting a sit down with a focus on the recent bushfires. The Bushfire Solidarity Sit-Down, organised by the School Strikers 4 Climate Action heard from survivors of bushfires in an effort to draw attention to the disastrous impacts of climate change in Australia RIGHT NOW.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/school-strike-for-climate--sees-students-march-across-country/11749566
Koalas uniting our hearts
Due to the devastating bushfires in Australia, hundreds of Koalas have been killed due to burns, dehydration and starvation. However, fortunately a number of Koala hospitals have been set up to care for injured and displaced Koalas which are not only attracting much attention but enormous amounts of donations as well.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/koala-hospital-makes-australian-gofundme-history/11749394
Indigenous settlements
Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory have followed a similar path to communities in Western Australia, seeking settlements in regards to land rights. A Yolngu leader is seeking $700 million in compensation for his clan following the acquisition of their land by the government to build a mine. Similarly, the Noongar people of South-West Australia are seeking a settlement of $290 billion for “spiritual damage” to their land.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-30/galarrwuy-yunupingu-gove-penninsula-compensation-claim/11752454
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/$290-billion-wa-native-title-claim-launched/11749206
Earth’s tipping point
Scientists are speculating that the Earth’s climate may be in more danger than previously thought with a climate break down even more likely than currently believed. They are warning of a climate emergency in which one shift in the climate can lead to another in a self-amplifying loop. There is mounting pressure on governments to declare a state of planetary emergency and to act more decisively to counter climate change.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50578516
Sustainable innovation in Architecture
The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong has aced the Living Building Challenge and become the only building in Australia to get full marks in the criteria of this sustainability challenge. The building is net energy positive (it produces more energy than it consumes) and uses rainwater for washing and toilets. This is a real innovative advancement in the field of sustainable architecture and engineering.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-30/sustainable-buildings-research-centre-living-building-challenge/11749184