state election
[AUGUST 17, 2010]
hello all,
we have been finding it hard to keep this website updated because things have been so busy of late. If you’re interested in our work around the November 27, please check here.
St Kilda EcoCentre
A forum, with Sally Moxham, who has long worked in the sustainability field, and who has just spent a year heading up the Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Policy Unit in the Scottish Government.
All welcome, Friday May 14, at Friends of the Earth in Collingwood.
All welcome! Details here.
population and an inconvenient truth
Australians are one of the world’s largest per capita consumers of resources and emitters of greenhouse gases. Certainly we need an informed and rational debate about what might constitute a sustainable human population for Australia. But to do so without acknowledging the massive over consumption that we are responsible for is nothing less than hypocrisy.
You can find an opinion piece here.
ecomarket and community hub being established in South Melbourne
In 2010, we are very excited to announce the development of the first Eco Market style operation in South Melbourne. The tentatively named ‘South Melbourne Commons’ will become a new community hub that reconnects people back to a sense of place and belonging.
The site will feature, a cafe, food cooperative, grocery store & deli with a weekly Saturday Eco Market operation starting later in the year.
There is info on the project here.
The hall and open market space at the venue
A healthy environment and a safe future for all Victorians must be the top priority for all parties contesting the 2010 State Election, Victoria’s leading environment groups said today.
One year out from the state election, Environment Victoria, The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth and the Victorian National Parks Association have released a document outlining seven key areas that require urgent action by the party that wins next November’s state election.
The groups said all parties needed to reassess their approach to the environment, including the Brumby Government who is yet to initiate any major environmental initiatives, and the Liberal Party whose environment policies are alarmingly inconsistent.
“Victoria’s environment has supported communities for thousands of years and is home to some of the most important places and species in the world. But the simple truth is, we’re facing an environmental emergency,” Environment Victoria’s CEO Kelly O’Shanassy said.
“Our rivers run dry as greenhouse emissions rise. Our forests shrink while our cities sprawl. And we swelter through heatwaves that Victoria has never experienced before – this is not the future we want.”
You can find our election agenda and extra info here.
Port Phillip Rising coastal walk
[Nov 17, 2009]
We are just a few days away from starting our coastal walk up the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay.
We have been getting a great response, and many have said they will join us for sections of the walk.
We are walking in order to highlight the impacts of sea level rise on people, communities and landscapes along the way. We have public forums planned for Rosebud, Frankston and St Kilda. You would be most welcome to join us.
Full details here:
http://www.portphilliprising.org/
Community tells Premier: world does not need our dirty coal
Following revelations last week that the Energy Minister is advocating for a new coal export industry for Victoria, several hundred community members met on the steps of Parliament today to show their opposition to the plan.
Green groups have been inundated with calls from community members who are furious about Peter Batchelor’s support of a new proposal by Exergen to export Victoria’s coal to India.
A letter sent to Premier Brumby from prominent scientists, climate change experts, and leading green and church groups opposing the establishment of a Victorian coal export industry was also released today.
There is a release, link to the letter and photos from the rally here.
help save Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve
Are you aware that VicRoads plans to bulldoze much of Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve in Keysborough soon to make way for the Dingley Bypass?
The VicRoads Dingley Arterial Project involves the construction of a four-lane, 3.5km dual-carriage extension of the existing Westall Road extension, from Springvale Road to the Dandenong Bypass.
The bypass extension will run directly through the Coomoora Woodland Flora and Fauna Reserve (Melway 88, K8).
Coomoora is a natural oasis used by bushwalkers and local school groups and the community. It is one of only five nature reserves in the City of Greater Dandenong, the only one in Keysborough, and one of the few remaining green wedges in the south-eastern metropolitan region.
As contracts for construction of the bypass are to be finalised by December (for works to commence in early 2010), urgent action must be taken now to protect this valuable nature reserve.
Details on what you can do are available here.
Coomoora Reserve
Sea level rise walk – ‘Port Phillip Rising’ – November 2009
Sorrento – Port Melbourne, November 21 – 27
The sea is already rising at an increasing rate because of climate change.
Scientists are predicting seas will rise globally by more than a metre by the end of this century, and perhaps much more. For example, melting of the Greenland ice sheet is accelerating, it contains the equivalent of about seven metres of sea-level rise. Around the world many thousands of communities will be lost, millions of people will be displaced, and the map of the continents will be changed forever.
In early summer, we are planning to walk the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay, to highlight the impacts of sea level rise on people, communities and landscapes along the way. We will leave Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, and head north along the coast, marking the one metre level where we can with a simple marker (a stick with piece of blue ribbon).
We would welcome your involvement in this project. There are details here.
new report – Zero emissions homes within reach
[Thursday 17 September, 2009]
Zero emissions homes within reach
In the wake of Victoria’s warmest and driest winter on record, environment groups today called for new building standards to reduce emissions and water use, and to help the state’s homes and families cope with future temperature and price shocks.
The call coincides with the release of a new report today, which shows that with the right government support and with efforts to fast‐track stronger environmental building standards, Victorian homes and neighbourhoods could be emissions‐free and water efficient by 2020.
The report, Towards climate safe homes: The case for zero emissions and water saving homes and neighbourhoods, was prepared by Environment Victoria in partnership with the Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Friends of the Earth (FoE) and the Moreland Energy Foundation (MEFL).
You can find a press release and link to the report here.
poa grassland, Thredbo Valley
A Green New Deal for Victoria 