Reader
A Just Transition to a clean, renewable energy economy is urgent – and possible
Geoff Evans
Climate scientists are saying that global warming, as evidenced by melting polar ice caps, is worse than predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and that global emissions must peak by 2015 if climate chaos, and resulting human social chaos is to be avoided. Government policy needs to be driven by this science, not by political and economic expediency, no matter how challenging the transition to a clean energy economy might be.
As local and global concern about climate change grows, there are demands for the Hunter Valley to move from its non-sustainable ‘Carbon Valley’ present to a sustainable ‘Post-Carbon Society’ future. A ‘Post-Carbon Society’ would have reduced per capita resource usage in wealthy countries, renewable energy sources, emphasis on strong local economies rather on a global free-market, and dramatically improved environmental conditions and social equity (Heinberg, 2004).
Yet as the global warming threat grows, many Australian political leaders remain under the spell of the coal industry and its 'greenhouse mafia'. Indeed, despite the obvious risks some are still advocating new coal-fired power stations and a massive increase in coal exports.
Climate Camp Reader - download entire book!
With just two and a half weeks until Australia's first Camp for Climate Action, download the Camp reader. Fifty pages full of diverse and exciting articles on coal, climate science, global trade and global warming, just transitions, poetry, fantastic photos, comics, tips for community organisers, more information about the Camp for Climate Action, and some the challenges and successes of peoples' movements confronting coal in the UK, USA, across Australia and in downtown Newcastle.
To get a taste of exciting discussions, workshops and action download the Camp for Climate Action reader below (5mb). Hard copies will be available at the Camp or send an email with your name and address to reader@climatecamp.org.au
Camp for Climate Action - Newcastle - July 10-15th, 2008 - six days of inspiring workshops, sustainable living and community direct action at the world's largest coal port. Hope to see you there.
Like You I
Posted June 2nd, 2008 by squidLike you I
love love, life, the sweet smell
of things, the sky-blue
landscape of January days.
And my blood boils up
and I laugh through eyes
that have known the buds of tears.
I believe the world is beautiful
and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone.
And that my veins don't end in me
but in the unanimous blood
of those who struggle for life,
love,
little things,
landscape and bread,
the poetry of everyone.
Roque Dalton
Coal Companies are People Too
Posted June 2nd, 2008 by squidProperty developers aren't the only ones with a worrying influence on the
NSW Government, writes Chris Doran
The Wollongong developers' donations scandal has laid bare one of the
ugliest realities of our political system: the corrosive influence of
corporations on government decision making.
The link between property developers' donations to NSW Labor, and the
resulting tide of approvals, is now so blatantly corrupt that it has forced
the Premier to call for a ban on all donations (http://www.newmatilda.com/2008/04/09/whats-with-back-flip).
But the problem is hardly limited to property developers. Equally dominant -
and arguably much more damaging both to democracy and life as we know it -
is the coal industry's lock on not only the Iemma Government, but the
Australian political system in general.
Solutions
Posted June 2nd, 2008 by squidBy Adrian Whitehead
Do we have the solutions to create a zero emission economy and quickly drawn down our greenhouse gas emissions? At the Zero Emission Network we believe we do.
Time Frames for Implementation
The sooner we reduce our levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases, the better for the climate and the less chance we have of passing points of 'no return' for a number of critical global warming positive feedback mechanisms.
Some of the solutions can be implemented immediately, such as stopping logging native forests and education campaigns around consumption, eg, reducing consumption of lamb, beef and dairy and using energy wisely. Other infrastructure and renewal projects will require more time as planning needs to be done, workers trained and factories built.
We could transition to a post carbon economy within a decade, using similar approaches to reorientation of our economies that occurred during World War II.
