GetUp - buy me a river
September 21, 2008
The Murray-Darling is at breaking point - literally dying of thirst.
The Murray-Darling Basin accounts for over 40% of Australia’s agricultural production and grows almost a third of all our food. It’s Australia’s food bowl. Could we survive without this mighty river system?
It’s time to implement urgent solutions to save it - as things heat up in the coming months, the Coorong Lakes at the Murray’s mouth may even dry up completely before summer’s end. Click here to help save the Murray-Darling before we turn our nation’s food bowl into dust bowl:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/BuyMeARiver
We’ve spoken to scientists, environmentalists and farmers, and learned there are three things our Federal Government must do, right now, if the mighty Murray is to flow again:
- Recover and release 500 gigalitres of water into the river system by the end of the year, and 4000 gigalitres overall to prevent our food bowl turning into a dust bowl.
- Create an emergency Interim Basin management plan, including a focus on the Coorong and Lower Lakes. This could be done in a matter of weeks, as a precursor to establishing a truly independent authority that is not held to ransom by State governments’ veto power.
- Establish a national freshwater reserve system to protect rivers, wetlands and estuaries of high value to the river. As a first step, urgently intervene to save the Murray River Red Gums, the river’s “green lungs” suffering from State inaction.
Everyday Australians can send a vital message of urgency to the Federal Government that we need to do more, and now. Click here to sign the petition to Save the Murray-Darling:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/BuyMeARiver
The Senate is holding an inquiry today in Canberra, hearing testimony from scientists on just how serious the situation has become. Just this morning, scientists gave evidence that use of water across the Basin needs to be halved below the current cap.
A decisive statement from the Australian community now could tip the scales and achieve the urgent State and Federal government action needed to keep the rivers flowing. More than just a national icon, take a stand today for Australia’s food bowl.
With hope,
The GetUp team
PS - As the science develops, the need for urgent action becomes clearer - click here to sign the petition to Save the Murray-Darling, before things heat up in the coming months.
Climate change hits the poor hardest.
August 14, 2008
The developed world has created the problem but the developing countries will feel the heat of climate change the most!
Everyone has heard about climate change but what is it really? What can we do about it? How can we take responsibility so that the impact will not be the hardest on those least able to cope?
This month JustAct looks at the Garnaut report and how the Make Poverty History campaign is responding to the climate crisis.
Check out how you can make a difference at www.justact.org.au
Antony and Tess [Read more]
GetUp-Climatetorch Relay
July 29, 2008
To solve the climate crisis, we will need a movement unprecedented in Australia’s history. To mobilise this movement, GetUp has invented a new device to respond to the climate crisis. You can hold it in one hand. It combines solar power, a wind-turbine, and…. a lemon.
It’s our climate torch, designed exclusively for GetUp by the creators of the Sydney Olympic torch, and with your help we’ll take it to a hundred towns, cities and suburbs across Australia - before arriving in Canberra, where thousands of GetUp members will present it directly to Parliament. Click below to get a first glimpse of what it looks like, and to nominate your town to host it.
No government will ever soar higher than its citizens demand - and most will sink as low as we allow. Now more than ever we must demand this government soars above political spin and vested interests - high enough to provide the climate leadership we need over these coming months when Australia’s response to climate change will be locked in.
We have a vision for this torch relay. As it travels around Australia, GetUp members will collect tens of thousands of submissions to the government’s climate policy consultation: an unprecedented flood of public opinion. Our leaders need to hear from us - from your town, city and suburb - because industry lobbyists will win this fight if we don’t.
After nominating your area you can volunteer to run the torch, or help organise the torch leg in your town. We can only bring the torch to your town if it will be supported on the ground, so register your help today!
To a renewable future,
The GetUp! team
FOE Action on climate refugees
May 19, 2008
Friends of the Earth (FOE) are calling for citizens to participate in their cyber action on climate refugees. One of the serious impacts of climate change is rising sea levels which will displace many people in low-lying Pacific island nations. FOE is asking you to sign their electronic petition calling on the Foreign Affairs Minister, Stephen Smith, to implement the ALP’s policy on climate refugees. To find out more and to sign this petition, click here
Urgent action: France to violate the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty this week
March 27, 2008
Got this email today…
Hi friends,
This week France is preparing to carry out a new test of a future missile M51. This is a complete violation of the Non-proliferation Treaty that France signed in 1992. This violation of international law is a serious one; it will be done in secret.
Please send a message to the President and Prime Minister of France asking them to suspend the M51 missile program and to take the initiative to commit to the international process of nuclear disarmament while following the elimination convention model of nuclear arms proposed by the UN.
More bombs equals more mess people!
See letter to use below and email adresses for the French Government in the TO: field below.
Thanks,
Climate Change Action (Melbourne Cup)
November 1, 2007
| November 6, 2007 | ||
| 11:00 am |
Flemington Racecourse, Main Gate at Epson Rd and the Railway Gate at Racecourse Station)
A group of climate change activists will be handing out leaflets for the walk against warming (11 November) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. To stress the issue of rising sea levels dress in underwater gear, swimming suits or surfing costume. Bring your surfboard, water wings, rubber duckie, and/or flippers and snorkel.
For further information contact Harry van Moorst on 0431 12 12 18 or the Walk Against Warming organisers at Environment Victoria for Louise or Jakki on 9341 8165
Climate Change Action (APEC focused)
September 6, 2007
| September 9, 2007 | ||
| 12:00 pm |
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum has admitted that real action on climate change is only on their aspirational agenda of things to do. In a series of internatinally coordinated action to bring attention to APEC’s lack of real targets on climate change, banners and human signs of the above image will be created from the Barrier Reef to Bondi…and of course here in Melbourne.
On Friday there will be a massive 144m-square banner unfurling and media event at Bondi Beach at 8.30am (northern end of the beach), which will be followed by similar events around the world over the following 48 hours. These include events at the North Pole, Great Barrier Reef, and Melbourne’s Federation Square Sunday lunchtime.
Where—Federation Square. Melbourne
When—Sunday, September 9 @ midday
Why— To give APEC, and the Australian Government, a target to aim for on climate change.
Wear—red t-shirt/jumper for the photo
We need as many people as possible to come out for a few hours on midday, Sunday September 9, and be part of creating a target for APEC to aim at on climate change.
In the spirit of all quick turn around snap media actions, this is going to be fun, quick and painless.
For more information contact; louise.morris@envict.org.au
If you want to be part of this action please get in touch with Louise Morris louise.morris@envict.org.au for event details and what you can do to help.
Louise Morris
Climate Change Campaigner
Environment Victoria
Climate Change and Global Poverty:
August 3, 2007
| August 8, 2007 | ||
| 6:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Public meeting -
Climate Change and Global Poverty: the need for greenhouse development rights
with Tom Athanasiou, EcoEquity (USA)
Edinburgh Gardens Community Room, Brunswick St, North Fitzroy, Melways Ref 2C 1CUnder the grandstand, enter from Brunswick St (just north of the pedestrian crossing) Sponsored Friends of the Earth, City of Yarra, Globalism Institute with CarbonEquity More info: Cam 94198700
Entry: Gold coin donation
The world must rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions if we are to avoid dangerous climate change. But how can we do this while also facilitating a fair go for the developing world? How can we bring a sense of international equity to the climate change debate? How can a rise in prosperity in the developing world be facilitated while reducing global emissions?.
Tom Athanasiou is executive director of EcoEquity (www.ecoquity.org), a US-based climate think-tank which works closely with church, aid agencies and environment organisations on greenhouse development rights. He is the author of books and essays on poverty and the environment including ‘Divided Planet: The Ecology of Rich and Poor’,’ Dead Heat: Global Justice and Global Warming’ and the forthcoming ‘Justice Within Limits: A New Deal for the Greenhouse Century’.
Youth Lead - Oz Green
May 14, 2007
Youth LEAD is an Oz GREEN initiative that is building a national network of young leaders who are working in their local community and beyond to build a life-sustaining society. Youth LEAD is achieving
this through leadership training and mentoring for youth-led, eco-social projects that forge pathways to sustainable futures. Youth LEAD begins where other leadership programs finish – with young people
learning to be leaders by designing and undertaking their own projects.
Melbourne YouthLEAD
Moora Moora, Healsvile.
30 June - 2 July
Each Youth LEAD program involves a 3 day training and action planning residential workshop for participants aged 15-25. The workshop features skills training in:
• ecological footprint assessment and lifestyle analysis
• strategic questioning, deep listening and critical thinking
• rational and emotional intelligence
• creative thinking, values and visioning
• goal setting and action planning for changes and eco-social action
Contact us for more information or to register:
visit - OzGREEN
Wendy Hopkins: whopkins@ozgreen.org.au
Jana Michaels: janamichaels@gmail.com
Avaaz - G8 Climate Action
March 29, 2007
Last week, Avaaz campaigners hand-delivered our 100,000-signature climate change petition to the environment ministers of the world’s most polluting countries. It worked. The chair of the meeting waved the petition in the air, calling on his fellow ministers to act–and they agreed that climate change would be the #1 issue at the G8 summit in June.
The momentum is on our side. Let’s build on it. Next Tuesday, another high-level group will meet to move forward with G8 planning — and we can keep the focus on the climate issue by showing that the call for action is growing. Can you help us reach our ambitious goal of 150,000 signatures by Tuesday by forwarding this email to ten friends? Your friends can sign the petition here:
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