Recently I’ve been spending time collecting data on the Australian climate movement for a project called the ‘Movement Monitor’. Hosted by The Commons Social Change Library, this project explores the impact of the climate movement over the last few years.
Sometimes when you look at daily climate news you can spiral into an abyss of despair 😿… but each time I get back into the Movement Monitor data I’m inspired, uplifted, optimistic and even a little bit proud.🦚
Why❓❓❓
Because there is nothing like cold, hard data to show what we are achieving together in our effort to stop climate change. It’s not any one of us, but hundreds and hundreds of individuals working together.
And nothing shows that power more than all the new groups working on renewable energy. Here’s just a few of them:
All these groups are working to bring about measurable, meaningful change in their own local communities as well as at the national scale. Together they produce guides and advice for those wanting to do the same in other areas, reports on their own community emissions, as well as technical evidence showing how going zero emissions really can work.
👏👏👏But wait… that’s not the only good news!👏👏👏
Another big win for Queensland was the decision from Environment Minister Plibersek to reject the development at Toondah Harbour. This is still only a draft decision, but with public support Minister Plibersek should lock in this decision and protect the precious Moreton Bay wetlands for the future.
This win was the result of years of work from people across Australia telling their politicians that this project was simply unacceptable. It is a clear win for people-power; wins we can achieve again! Her facebook post already has over 1450 comments congratulating her!
So, where does that leave us? As powerful individuals, who together, over time, can challenge those who seek to provide from the destruction of nature.
And now’s our chance to do it all again.
Democracy is a great gift but also can feel a little never ending (well to me at least!). There’s no time to rest, because in October we have the state election.
This edition we’ve got a bunch of actions to help you shift gears into state election mode. Check them out below 📣📣📣
What can you do today?
BREAKING NEWS: Just after I wrote this newsletter, some bad news arrived: The Albanese Government has caved to the mining lobby and are scrapping their commitments to environment law reform. This is a massive broken promise. Groups around the country are asking everyone to call Environmental Minister Tanya Plibersek and say this is not good enough. 📞📞📞📞
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
The State Opposition will soon face their first major test on climate: whether or not they will vote in favour of legislating Queensland’s renewable energy and emission reduction targets. These hard-fought wins could be lost if we don’t have bi-partisan support.
Action: Use the Queensland Conservation Council template email to call for Shadow Energy Minister, Deb Frecklington, to support Queensland’s renewable energy and climate targets.
Australian Marine Conservation Society also wants the Qld Opposition to hear about the community’s support for climate action. They need another 500 signatures on their email petition, help them out now.
Action: Sign the AMCS petition asking for state Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Shadow Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Sam O’Connor to vote YES for climate action to protect our Reef and tourism jobs.
Do you live in our state’s north? Heatwaves, cyclones and other climate disasters are increasingly affecting our communities and environment. Cairns and Far North Queensland Environment Centre are hosting 10 ‘Table talks’ with people in FNQ who are vulnerable to these disasters and/or lead recovery efforts and community resilience.
Action: Submit an expression of interest to participate in a Table Talk here, or find out more at the Table Talks Project: Climate Change in FNQ website.
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
Move Beyond Coal is planning 12 days of action to Rise Up and demand that Labor keeps us safe by committing to no more coal and gas.📣
Action: Check out the Rise Up map and info site find an action near you, or read the Rise Up Action Guide to learn how to host your own action to tell politicians that we need to move beyond coal and gas… now!
Did you know that trees have a secret life? Queensland has the largest area of native forest in Australia, and across this expanse, trees are continuously communicating through an underground network of tiny threads called mycelium, which connect with tree roots.
Action: Take some time out to be inspired: read this article by the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland about the incredible secret life of trees. While you’re there, check out the 13 branches across Queensland and join one near you.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
New groups are starting all the time. A new non-profit group - Zero Emissions 4075 (suburbs around postcode 4075) - aims to smash the carbon footprint in the area while also reducing power bills for residents. Join them at their kick off event!
Action: Attend the Zero Emissions 4075 Sustainable House Day event on Sunday 21 April at Corinda Bowls Club, 3pm-6pm. They’d love to see you there.
This election the Greens are aiming to win up to 10 seats, to break up the two party system and transform Queensland politics forever. They need your help! Tag along to their kick-off party to find out more about their plans.
Action: Join Adam Bandt and Max Chandler-Mather at the Greens Queensland election kick-off party for their biggest ever State election campaign and hear about their plan to win. Outpost Bar, upstairs from the Fortitude Music Hall, Brunswick St mall, Wed 24 April at 6pm.
Do you love it when activism and socialising combine? Cairns and Far North Environment Centre’s April Green Drinks is a free event for you! Whether you work in the environment sector, volunteer on green projects or are someone who cares about the environment, come from 5pm for socialising after work, hear from Michelle at 5:30pm, and listen to Tessa Devine performing from 6pm til 7pm.
Still looking for more? Check out these actions and events from the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. So many people like you and I are taking action, how can we be anything but inspired?
Take action: Protect our native wildlife - end deforestation in Queensland📣
Take action: Week of Action to Protect Beautiful Queensland📣
Take action: Places You Love - Sign the Business for Nature Open Letter📣
Take action: Create more national parks in Queensland📣
Take action: Say no to private development inside our National Parks📣
Join us! 22 Apr: Wildlife Queensland Faunawatch Walk: Meridan Reserve📣
Phew, what a massive list of stuff to do. It’s so exciting that our movement is so strong, active and inclusive. I’m not sure if I’ll get through the whole list of actions myself, but it’s a great goal for the next fortnight! Send us a comment to tell us how far you got.🏆
See you in two weeks 👋🏽 👋🏽 👋🏽
Robyn, plus Malcolm, Ron and Jan - The Climate Club Qld team
To help us keep these newsletters helpful, you can always reach us by email climateclubqld@gmail.com or check out the simple info on our About page.
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.
Robyn, I love this sentence "I get back into the Movement Monitor data I’m inspired, uplifted, optimistic and even a little bit proud.🦚" Thanks for sharing your positive outlook. xo