We must be doing something right!
Why? Because we can see that both the fossil fuel industry and the politicians are throwing up lots of distractions. These are designed to confuse everyone, sell us short, minimise our effectiveness and generally preserve the status quo: the continuation of massive subsidies from government for fossil fuel industries, and society’s acceptance of endless climate-heating coal, oil and gas extraction and burning.
We should be encouraged! And we should keep at it - at the same time being mindful of what we read and who we trust.
“Let’s talk about nuclear power!” so says Peter Dutton, Leader of the Opposition.
Let’s not!
After all, there is an abundance of evidence that nuclear power really isn’t going to solve Australia’s energy supply issues at the same time as reducing our carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
There is huge evidence demonstrating this, as shown by the Climate Council. If you have noticed the Federal Opposition talking up nuclear power as a legit alternative (again), you might want to dip in for a two minute read. Nothing has changed much since this was written last year. A good recent piece that sets today’s ‘enthusiasm’ against the history of nuclear power development, can also be found in this little piece by John Quiggin, Professor at the School of Economics, The University of Queensland.
For more recent info, explanations and analysis, check one or more of the short non-technical pieces from the trustworthy The Conversation website, where peer-reviewed academics present proven information in an easy-to-read format.
If we were to discuss nuclear seriously, it would have to be in a measured way, informed using the facts and best case studies available. That doesn’t happen often in Australian politics. 😤 😒
We can save discussions for another day about how the current Australian and Queensland governments are muddying the waters with their policies and programs.
In the meantime, join me in smashing out a quick action or two to push for the changes we all need.
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
If you live in regional Queensland (or anywhere in regional Australia), your voice is powerful. Join Solar Citizens’ in demanding the Australian government accepts five recommendations for accelerating clean transport in regional Australia.
Action: Email your local MP to help regional Australia’s transport transition. Use their words and send as is, or edit to personalise.
Toyota is in our sights again. Have you heard that Toyota is “going electric”, or is already “electrified” even? The truth is, Toyota aims to make a record-breaking 10.2 million vehicles in 2023 – almost all of them with a fossil fuel-burning engine inside.
Action: Add your name to this simple petition asking Toyota to announce an phase out of all combustion engine vehicles, and demand that Toyota stop greenwashing about so-called “electrified” cars - all the better if you own a Toyota!
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
You’ve probably heard this before, but…. Australian governments spend $21,143 every minute subsidising coal, gas and oil projects that heat our climate and make it unsafe. Imagine if our governments invested our public money into climate solutions, instead of climate pollution. You can demand for this to stop! Use this template provided to smash out a quick email, or take some time to personalise with your own concerns for even more impact.
Action: Send a messages to Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen demanding he end all fossil fuel subsidies in Australia and overseas.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
If you live in Meanjin/Brisbane, this practical and interactive workshop will help you acquire some skills, knowledge, and the mindset to enable you to both adapt to and mitigate a warmer world. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive! There’s one on 30 September or another on 25 November, and if you live elsewhere, check out similar activities being offered locally.
Have you ever looked into whether your bank or superannuation fund is propping up the fossil fuel industry by investing your money in these destructive companies? Getting started on this question is not as hard as it seems and it’s well worth just checking out the situation. When you are ready, taking your money away from fossil fuel companies is a very valuable form of climate action! And contacting them to tell them you are not happy would be an extra level of action too!
Action: Check out Market Forces’ information about both banks and superannuation funds.
Well done today!
Have you ever had one of those irritating, frustrating chats with a friend or colleague and didn’t feel like you knew the facts well enough to have a meaningful exchange? (We don’t waste too much time with arguments at Climate Club but a real exchange of ideas and values is no bad thing).
Well, if you ever need some solid but digestible info or analysis about the climate situation - science, economics, politics or whatever - I rely on The Climate Council and The Conversation. Go on, click through to look at their home pages if you haven’t seen them already - it’s independent, evidence-based, and easy to grasp.
If I’ve heard something or been chatting to someone about the climate crisis, our energy needs or the transition away from carbon pollution, I would often do a search for the Climate Council or maybe The Conversation on that topic. 😉
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action to help save the places we love.
See you in two weeks!
Malcolm
plus Ron, Robyn and Jan - The Climate Club Qld team
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We live, work and play on the lands of the Yuggara and Turrbal people in and around Meanjin - Brisbane. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded - always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
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