Hi All,

I expect everyone is looking forward to the easing of COVID restrictions in regional Victoria from Thursday, but it still important that everyone practices good hygiene and stays safe.

I thought I had selected the articles I was going to send around, but then the Prime Minister makes his announcement on a ‘gas led recovery’ and so some additions were necessary.  The PM”s ‘gas plan’ has created a lot of controversy. I have attached two more articles about the plan. These will obviously contribute to our discussions at the Zoom meeting on Friday morning.

As well as sending the articles have forwarded two emails responding to that announcement, one from the Climate Council and another from GetUp who are seeking signatures for a petition.
 
Once again I will be conducting a Zoom meeting on Friday morning to discuss these matters.
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To join the Zoom meeting at 10am on Friday 18th September click on the following link:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71630395963?pwd=ZlQyQ0N0aW1sS2loaXBweG9USmsrZz09

John

Reading:  

Renewable energy can save the natural world – but if we’re not careful, it will also hurt it
The Conversation       September 2, 2020    
Laura Sonter, Lecturer in Environmental Management, The University of Queensland;
James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland; Richard K Valenta, Director -  Mining and Geology Research Centre - Sustainable Minerals Institute, UQ

Greta Thunberg champions the plight of climate refugees
Pip Hinman                 GreenLeft                    September 10, 2020

These Aussie teens have launched a landmark climate case against the government. Win or lose, it’ll make a difference                
The Conversation                   September 10, 2020
Laura Schuijers       Research Fellow in Environmental Law, University of Melbourne

When will Australia's government act on the climate imperative?
John Hewson              Blue Mountains Gazette                    September 10 2020

Earth Hasn’t Warmed This Fast in Tens of Millions of Years
Chelsea Harvey, E&E News on September 13, 2020     Reprinted in Scientific American

Phasing out gas would benefit Australian manufacturers and households
Richard Denniss         The Guardian             Thu 3 Sep 2020

Dawn of 'green steel' and the revival of Australian manufacturing
Nick O'Malley            The Sydney Morning Herald              September 7, 2020

No, Prime Minister, gas doesn’t ‘work for all Australians’ and your scare tactics ignore modern energy problems                  The Conversation                   September 15, 2020\
Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin University

​'We don't need it': Critics say plan for new gas power is unnecessary
Nick O'Malley and Nick Toscano                   The Age                       September 16, 2020

Spring has arrived and Spring is always full of promise. Let’s hope this Spring brings an easing of restrictions.
 
I hope you all watched the third episode of ‘Fight for Planet A’ which was focussed on food.
What I thought was significant about this episode was how it highlighted the significance of behaviour change in reducing carbon emissions.  One amazing reduction was the change by the university student to eating chicken rather than very large servings of beef.  There were quite a few other behaviour changes that resulted in a smaller carbon footprint.  The challenge to all of us is, “Are there behaviour changes we can make to reduce our carbon footprint?”
 
You may remember in one of our February meetings I gave out an article ‘Fifteen Tips to Help Lower Your Carbon Footprint’.  I would be interested to hear if you have made some changes to reduce your carbon footprint.  
 
A number of sustainability articles have been included below for your regular ‘update’. As is usual I have difficulty trying to limit the number I send.  Following on from the Planet A series, I have included an article about reducing meat and dairy intake.  Other topics include the push by business for a  ‘green recovery’, proposed changes to environment protection legislation, and Victoria’s move to encourage more clean energy.
 
Friday morning Zoom meeting
I will be holding another Zoom meeting at 10am on Friday morning. It would be good to see a couple of ‘new faces’ at the meeting.  We will be discussing the final episode of ‘Fight for Planet A’ as well as some of the articles I have attached.  As the free Zoom time runs out at 40 minutes we normally have a 15 minute break and then come back using the same link for a second 40 minutes discussion.
 
Zoom details:
Click on the following link to join the Sustainability Zoom meeting at 10am on Friday 4th September.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76763834922?pwd=L1ZQbWI3Uk5rTmZLN205cHVtaWg3dz09 
 

John

Recommended Reading:

Avoiding meat and dairy is ‘single biggest way’ to reduce your impact on Earth
Damian Carrington The Guardian Fri 1 Jun 2018 (more than 2 years old)
Biggest analysis to date reveals huge footprint of livestock - it provides just 18% of calories but takes up 83% of farmland

Climate crisis: business, farming and environment leaders unite to warn Australia 'woefully unprepared'
Adam Morton             The Guardian             Friday 28th August 2020
An extraordinary statement by 10 groups says the nation’s future prosperity is at risk without a coherent response

Morrison government resurrects Abbott's 'one-stop shop' environment laws
Mike Foley                  The Age                       August 27, 2020

'A shot in the arm:' Victoria backs clean energy in bid to fuel COVID-19 recovery
Nick Toscano and Miki Perkins                     The Age           September 2nd, 2020


Australian Industry Group urges Coalition to spend 'at least' $3.3bn on renewable energy over coming decade
Paul Karp                   The Guardian              Mon 31 Aug 2020
Extract from above article - Peak employer body warns Australia faces ‘costly increase in climate-related impacts and risks’ even in best-case scenario

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It has been a particularly interesting month for people concerned about sustainability and the environment, with Craig Reucassel’s wonderful series ‘The Fight for Planet A’ engaging many of us.  The dilemma of how to engage people with issues surrounding climate change has often been discussed in the Sustainability class – Craig Reucassel seems to have found the key. 

Late August’s Zoom meeting provided the opportunity for members of the Sustainability group to engage in a follow up discussion of the issues raised.  This discussion will continue at the next meeting on Friday September 4 at 10am. 

The articles selected for discussion at Sustainability’s fortnightly Zoom meetings are being added to the Sustainability page on this website.    If you are interested in keeping up with current issues in the sustainability area, just click on the links to the articles in the posts below.

Bev Lee