A while ago I returned from a road trip using our 4WD diesel motorhome.
How does one reconcile personal lifestyle choices which are contrary to reducing carbon usage?
Going vegetarian, installing solar panels, driving an electric vehicle, reducing consumerism, or prioritising the use of active transport are not going to solve the climate crisis whilst our Governments are still approving new fossil fuel projects – no matter how many individuals do these things.
Whilst I have some control over my personal lifestyle choices, real progress on climate change requires systemic change. Such change is beyond my control.
“It’s this difficult problem of ‘yeah ok, I can reduce the amount that I fly, or reduce the amount of packaging I use, or not drive a car, or take a shorter shower’, or whatever it might be – but for the real systemic shifts, we’re going to need to see governments and corporations and organisations generally take that action.” My bolding, from the article Is climate guilt a tool for change or a corporate cop-out?
“I am still going to do my best to tread lightly on this planet and align my actions with my ethics. But I am also going to stop feeling guilty, and instead turn my guilt into anger at the powerful corporations who have designed a system that fails us and the Earth.” My bolding, from the article If You Care About the Environment, Stop Feeling Guilty. Feel Angry Instead.
This young woman says it all. [57 seconds]
😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠
“Hope can emerge through the actual or potential establishment of connections with other climate-changed humans: knowing that others share our frustrations, care about the world too, and are doing things to address climate change.” My bolding, from the article Six emotions shared by young people living with climate change
“I don’t think we should feel individually guilty for climate change, but I think we should all feel collectively responsible for building a better world.” My bolding, from the article Climate Change Guilt and Next Gen Action
⛓️⛓️⛓️⛓️⛓️⛓️⛓️⛓️⛓️
My theme here is this: do something, collectively, for system change.
Signing a petition or sending a pre-written email is easy and quick. You and many others are doing something.
Joining a rally is easy and you will be with like-minded people. Most climate rallies are approved and offer a wonderful opportunity to make your views heard.
Joining a protest movement and perhaps engaging in non-violent direct action requires a larger commitment. But you will be with a like-minded collective, all pushing for system change.
If you ever feel your small action leads to nothing, consider this. The Stop Adani movement didn’t stop Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine. But instead of mining 60 million tonnes per annum from 2014, Bravus (Adani’s new brand) is mining 10 million tonnes per annum from 2022. Instead of using public or borrowed money, it was funded from within the Adani Group. Instead of opening multiple other coal mines in the Galilee Basin, Gina Reinhardt’s Hancock projects remain on hold, Clive Palmer's Waratah projects have been rejected, and the China Stone project will not proceed.
That is whole bunch of wins!
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
Over 1 million hectares of Queensland forest has been cleared in just 2 years. Australian Conservation Foundation research has revealed that the worst offenders for financing deforestation in Queensland are NAB, Rabobank, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, and Suncorp. We want to see these banks introduce policies to phase out the financing of land clearing by 2025, as is international best practice. Learn more about the link between banks and nature destruction in this explainer video.
Action: Join the loads of people on Facebook who are asking NAB, Rabobank, Suncorp, ANZ, and Commbank banks to stop financing deforestation.
Qld’s new Environment Minister Leanne Linard has now been in the job for one month. (In case you missed it, Premier Palaszczuk announced a Cabinet Reshuffle). Let her know what you care about!
Action: Read QCC’s priorites and then email Minister Linard to tell her you are expecting strong action on climate and to protect biodiversity.
Issue #20 (May 24 2023) featured a petition by 350.org urging the Albanese Government to stop the approval of a petrochemical hub in the Middle Arm of Darwin Harbour.
Action: Sign AYCCs petition reinforcing this message (They need a LOT more signatures).
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
Last week the QLD 2023-24 budget was announced with many extremely positive elements, such as:
record investment in long-term infrastructure for renewable energy projects;
immediate cost-of-living relief on energy bills for all households, and;
funding to increase national parks and prevent land clearing
Unfortunately the Budget continues to support new investment in fossil fuel exploration and infrastructure. (When will it stop!! 😡😡😡)
Action: Read Qld Conservation Council’s (QCC) analysis and then let QCC know your thoughts about the Budget.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
The Australian Conservation Foundation is preparing a report about how laws both nationally and in Queensland respect (or don't) young people’s rights to a healthy environment. They are inviting young people aged 16-25 to a workshop to help develop this major report to be released in September. The workshop will be held on Friday 7 July, 10am-3pm, Level 33 Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
Action: If you’re a young person aged 16-25, please come along! And if not, please help us spread the word by sharing this event with young people in your lives.
In Issue 5 (12 Oct 2022) we introduced Queensland State Government's Energy and Jobs Plan as a positive step, with its commitment to renewable energy, phasing out coal fired power, and jobs for the regions. The Government is now seeking feedback on the draft legislation to deliver the Plan. Watch a short video (2m:17) outlining the key elements in the Bill.
Action: Have your say. Read the Bill Consultation Document and complete the questionnaire. Consultation closes Friday 30 June 2023. Alternatively, subscribe to receive updates regarding the Plan.
Read some good news
We all know it is not healthy to feel angry all the time. If you want more good news than you can probably keep up with, subscribe to the Renew Economy daily newsletter. Read about myriad renewals projects, about electric vehicles, and about technology advances. It’s all happening! If we could only 😡😡😡Move Beyond Coal 😡😡😡
Or perhaps just enjoy a nice sunset.
Our inbox is always open! To help us keep these newsletters helpful, you can always reply to us with:
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Fun facts, writing, infographics you’ve seen about climate action
That’s all for today, folks. Thanks for taking action. See you in two weeks
Ron
plus Jan, Robyn and Malcolm - The Climate Club Qld team
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.
© 2023 Climate Club QLD
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