Issue #5: An energy plan for Qld
Finally, some government action
Welcome to Climate Club Queensland: a digest of simple actions that even busy people can take to reduce destructive climate heating. Our newsy hit list of actions include some aimed at governments, some at corporate Australia and some for us and our own communities. We save you reading emails and socials from the many groups working on climate action so you have more time to take action!
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On 28th September the Queensland State Government announced its Energy and Jobs Plan. It is a big step forward! Here are some of the highlights:
Queensland’s renewable energy target is now 70% by 2032.
Coal-fired power stations will be phased out, with all publicly-owned stations to be operating as clean energy hubs by 2035.
A $62 billion investment in clean energy, good jobs and clean power.
Two pumped hydro projects with enough storage to serve 2 million homes.
Jobs for the regions: The upgraded Queensland electricity grid will create around 100,000 jobs by 2040.
A $150 million Job Security Guarantee for existing coal and energy workers.
Wow!
Image from Qld Govt facebook post
But there is still plenty for us to do. Start here today with our Climate Club Queensland picks for taking action.
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What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
Give credit where credit is due for the Qld Energy and Jobs Plan.
Action: Add a polite comment to Minister for Energy, Renewables & Hydrogen Mick de Brenni’s facebook announcement to say well done & keep going; or email your local MP to express support for the plan.
The Morrison Government gave $19,000 every minute to coal, oil and gas companies. Labor is due to release the Federal Budget on 25th October. If enough of us show Treasurer Jim Chalmers that the public don’t support taxpayer funded handouts to the fossil fuel industry, we can create incentive for him to scrap them.
Action: Phone Treasurer Jim Chalmers: Picking up the phone to call an MP’s office can be nerve wracking, but 350.org has included some simple tips.
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
The Federal Government has now opened submissions on their new National Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy. This is a crucial opportunity to reshape our transport system to ensure electric vehicles are affordable and powered by clean energy, and to unlock Australian EV manufacturing.
Action: Write a submission. The submission process asks you to comment on a number of specific aspects covered by the Consultation Paper.
Use the Solar Citizens submission guide to write yours by 5pm AEDT 28th October.
Make a direct submission by 31st October.
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) will be held from 6-18 November in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Action: Send an email to our Prime Minister urging him to support three vital global agreements to slash climate pollution:
slash methane emissions this decade
boost the finance we give to developing countries to adapt to climate impacts
end public finance for new coal and gas projects overseas.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
Tell your Federal Labor Member of Parliament to scrap Morrison-era fossil fuel subsidies in the upcoming Federal Budget.
Action: Read this guide from Lock the Gate and meet your ALP MP.
In Issue3 we wrote about the launch of Move Beyond Coal - the bold new movement tackling Australia’s biggest contribution to the global climate crisis! More than 230 people attended the Sydney launch, 150 people in Brisbane, 130 people in Melbourne and over 100 people online in Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Heron Island, Perth, Albury and Mackay.
Action: Learn about the movement, and join a Move Beyond Coal group or action.
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Fun facts, writing, infographics you’ve seen about climate action
Good news: Tanya Plibersek, our Minister for the Environment and Water, launched the Threatened Species Action Plan: Toward Zero Extinctions. This Plan sets out a pathway for threatened species conservation and recovery over the next 10 years. The Action Plan has ambitious targets, which include preventing any new extinctions of plants and animals, and protecting and conserving at least 30% of Australia’s land mass.
Yet at the same time, our Government is considering 29 coal projects that would emit 17 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions if all were approved!!
👋🏽 Thanks for diving in and taking action. See you next issue.
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 Magandjin/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. We pay tribute to the perseverance and pride of Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture that enriches our nation.
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Wow, that's some amazing news for Queensland!
Also love that submission guide by Solar Citizens, makes it very easy while still encouraging some personal stories!