Issue #69: Where to from here?
Maybe that's not the only thing, though.
The Federal election is over for another three years or so. Now we wait and see if there will be change for the better.
Quite a few of my friends were very busy with activities to help re-elect the Greens MPs in Brisbane, or helping put forward new Independent candidates in south-east Queensland.
Election results are pretty unforgiving aren’t they! You either win or you go home. But maybe there is a third option – that you don’t walk away – but that you keep building on what’s gone before. Those newfound volunteers, friends, colleagues and supporters - you work together to fashion new ways of being in community. One potent way of bringing about change in our communities is to start living out the ways we imagine the future could be – at its best.
I am not holding my breath for the new/re-elected government to sweep in and do everything we always wanted for climate and the environment. But I feel some buzz around fostering supportive communities, growing new conversations and alliances, learning from each other. For me, it’s a case of:
Don’t give up – keep paying attention – find other people who want to make change
A highlight of election time was the thousands of hours of volunteer time that helped fuel the changes we want to see! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉When people come together, they achieve mighty things.
Such as the efforts by AYCC (Australian Youth Climate Coalition):
Over 10,000 conversations about climate justice
Spoke with voters in 28 electorates across the continent during pre-poll and election day.
Hosted National Enrol to Vote Day, helping lift youth enrolment to a record-breaking 92% (this is huge!!).
Brought together over 200 attendees at Youth on the Mic, where young people spoke directly to MPs.
As AYCC describes it:
“This is about building real power in our communities. It’s about standing together — with each other, and with First Nations leaders on the frontlines. It’s about fighting for a future built on justice, care, and courage.”
In our previous edition of CC Qld, #68 we featured similar achievements by Parents for Climate. Congrats to both organisations and the countless volunteer hours these numbers represent!
Win!
Meanwhile, two cases of green-washing (exaggerated or misleading information about the green credentials of a product or service) have led to energy provider Energy Australia issuing a public apology about its not-so carbon neutral product line – and Hancock Prospecting (yes Gina’s company) has withdrawn a misleading ad about ‘clean gas’. Yey!
It's tax time soon 🙃💲🙃💲🙃
Climate Club Queensland does not include fundraising requests as an action that you could take. Contributing financially, if you can, to an organisation that aligns with your values or concerns can be a great way of taking action to protect nature and future generations from the worst of the climate crisis. If you are time poor, it’s a way to make a difference. Maybe you could start thinking about whether this works for you.
Ok, let’s smash out a few quick actions cos that’s mostly what’s on offer this time round.
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
A few weeks ago, the Queensland Land Court made a landmark recommendation to refuse the expansion of the Ensham thermal coal mine in Central Queensland because of its impact on our climate. This is only the second time in history the Court recommended refusal of a coal mine on climate grounds - but the court doesn’t make the final decision. That responsibility now sits with the Resources Minister, Dale Last. While the Land Court’s findings adds pressure for him to refuse this expansion, you can bet the coal lobby is in his ear trying to turn his decision in their favour. Time is running out to ensure he hears from the community, not just the coal lobby!
Action: Write to Minister Dale Last today and call on him to respect the Land Court’s decision to refuse the Ensham expansion.
Murray Watt, the new Federal Environment Minister, has vowed to make a final ruling on Australia’s biggest fossil fuel project, the proposed North West Shelf extension, before the end of May. Allowing Woodside’s massive North West Shelf gas export terminal to run for another 46 years means 4.3 billion tonnes of emissions, equivalent to 12 new coal-fired power stations each year.
If wrecking our climate wasn’t enough, research shows gas export projects like these drive up domestic energy prices! Act before the end of May!
Action: Sign this urgent petition demanding Environment Minister Murray Watt put people before profit and reject Woodside’s North West Shelf extension.
The Crisafulli Government will strip funding from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), a community legal centre that has helped over 50,000 Queenslanders protect the environment, despite repeated promises in the lead up to last year’s state election that the LNP would continue to fund the EDO.
UQ is conducting a research project to study how Australian parents manage climate anxiety for themselves and their families. They are looking for parents to participate in an interview.
Action: Check out what’s involved and submit your contact details to help build a better picture of climate impacts on families.
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
Do all of the 5 minute actions 😂😂😂
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
North Queensland Conservation Council (Townsville) is holding its regular casual Green Drinks with special guest ReefEcologic - who design and deliver innovative strategies to protect tropical marine ecosystems.
Action: RSVP and more info - this Thursday May 29, 2025 at 6pm - 8pm. Where: CBar, 80 Gregory St,Townsville, 4810
If you have some brain space for an intriguing question, I found this article very illuminating. Does Labor have a mandate to do what it wants after its big election win?
There are always lots of assertions made after elections - but when Labor says it has a ‘mandate to implement its agenda’, is that really a thing? Or just political prattle?? The read is definitely rewarding!
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. 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 Magandjin - 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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