Issue #71: Land use myth-busting
Renewables will actually use only 0.02% of our land
Gina Rinehart, that reliable source of knowledge (check out Vincent Namatjira’s portrait), says that renewable energy is a terrible thing because it could use one third of Australia’s prime agricultural land.
She bases her claim on research by right-wing think tank the IPA. Which she would, since she is a major funder.
In a rebuttal of the IPA Report, the Australia Institute lists the exaggerations, invalid assumptions and sleight of hand which enabled the IPA to reach their conclusion.
For example, the IPA has grossly exaggerated the amount of renewable power we need, by sneakily assuming renewables must cover the total energy output from burning coal. Since 60% of that energy output is lost as heat rather than making electricity, we actually only need renewables to match the other 40%.
And, the report assumes all renewables will be built on “prime” agricultural land. Only 4% of Australia’s land mass is classed as prime agricultural land - land suitable for cropping and horticulture. The biggest threat to prime agricultural land is actually urban development. (Who remembers that Redlands Shire, to Brisbane’s south, was once Brisbane’s food bowl?)
Another report from the Climate Council found that two-thirds of Australians support renewable power projects. Media coverage disproportionately focuses on the limited opposition toward these projects, which has led to Australians believing that community support for renewables is lower than it actually is.
The report found that renewable power uses far less land than most people realise, and that renewable projects happily coexist with farming, improve biodiversity and provide community benefits when well done. But Australians are falling for some big furphies about the support for renewable power in the regions.
Grazier Simon Barton and fine wool farmer Tony Inder, from Wellington NSW where I grew up, both host renewable infrastructure on their properties, to their enormous benefit.
A recent episode of ABC’s podcast “The Big Idea” covered a citizens jury - a selection of people in a community - discussing the impacts and benefits of renewables in their Western NSW region. A less hyper-emotive effort to explore this by listening to all parties and views alongside expert input.
The Australian National University found that we can supply all of Australia’s domestic energy needs with renewables, and that would directly use 1,200 square kilometres of land – equivalent to just 0.02% of our land mass.
Not one third of Australia’s prime agricultural land. Another myth, busted.
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Gina might hate renewables, but in an amended submission to Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority regarding her proposed Mulga Downs Iron Ore Mine, the 8 revised conditions include this gem: “Addition of a solar farm, an access road, and associated ancillary infrastructure.”
So you can look through our Actions list, knowing Australia’s richest person is now on board!
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link in our last edition was to send an email to APA Group asking it to end its involvement in Beetaloo fracking. If Governments and fossil fuel companies won’t stop these destructive projects, their suppliers might.
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
Our Australian government, alongside Pacific Island nations, is bidding to host COP31 in Adelaide. At last year’s COP29 in Azerbaijan, fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered the delegations of almost every country. Oil deals were brokered on the sidelines and Ministers were courted at coal and gas sponsored events. What a farce.
Winning the bid would be a big deal for the Albanese Labor Government. But if fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists get access to COP31, they’ll wreck any chance of achieving ambitious climate action.
Action: Sign the Australia Institute's petition calling on Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen to keep fossil fuel corporations and their lobbyists out of COP31.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
Parents, carers and grandparents, come and meet Parents for Climate. Bring your kids for a few hours to play, talk and get to know each other in beautiful Roma Street Parkland. Meet near the fountain, bring some balls, picnic blankets and snacks to keep your young ones occupied.
Action: Let them know you are interested, 3pm - 5pm this Saturday 26 July Roma Street Parkland
Action: Can’t make it? Get together online, to learn about what's been going on for us, hear about local and national action and hear from some parents about their experience engaging with elected members. Wednesday 6 August 7:30pm - 8:45pm
The Wilderness Society is hosting a family-friendly event where you can enjoy a deforestation-free sausage sizzle, hear live music, listen to Campaigners' plans to end Queensland’s deforestation crisis and take meaningful actions to pressure governments and corporations to protect forests and bushland—for nature, people and the climate.
Action: RSVP or turn up, 10am - 1pm Saturday 2 August, Yeronga Memorial Park.
Join Saul Griffith, engineer and Chief Scientist at Rewiring Australia, as he discusses his latest book Plug In: The Electrification Handbook, which provides practical advice for everyday Australians on upgrading their homes and cars. You will also hear from community groups, such as Zero Emissions 4075 (Corinda) about local action happening in your neighbourhoods.
Action: RSVP for your free ticket, Tuesday 12 August 6pm - 8pm, at Westside HQ in Corinda
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💃🏽 Further afield:
🚙🚙 Friday 25 July 6pm Sunshine Coast 'Takayna – the Heart of Lutruwita' is an inspiring 45-minute film about defending the ancient landscapes of Takayna/Tarkine from mining and logging, told through stories by activists, scientists, community members, and Bob Brown. The film has screened several times around Brisbane and now you can see it at the Sunshine Coast. Buy tickets for only $15
🚙🚙 Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 August Gold Coast: Head to Nerang Country Paradise for the annual Botanical Bazaar, the Gold Coast's Premier Gardening and Sustainable Living Festival. Make sure you visit the Gold Coast Climate Action Network stall.
🚙🚙 Thursday 7 August 6pm Cairns: Join Cairns and Far North Environment Centre's Green Drinks to hear some groovy jams & insightful guests speakers and meet like minded people. Drinks will be available by donation. Nibbles are provided. See you at the CAFNEC office, Rose Blank Gallery of Cominos House, which is fully wheelchair accessible.
🚙🚙 Saturday 9 August 2-5:30pm Bribie Island: Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association proudly brings you the 2nd Annual Yarun EcoFlix Film Festival, featuring a selection of independent films, including “Turning the Ship”, about the extraordinary 2024 People’s Blockade of the world’s largest coal port in Newcastle last November.
🚙🚙 Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 August Waddananggu: Almost four years ago, the Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodians established a stone bora ring on the northern edge of Adani’s mining lease, on Wangan and Jagalingou land. They are still there. Adani cannot remove them. The Government cannot remove them. The police won't remove them. Their cultural ceremony continues unhindered. And now they are inviting supporters to join them at their four year celebration.
🎇🎇 Some good news: 🎇🎇
Fox Resources' plan to develop a coal mine on Bundaberg agricultural land has been rejected!!!
Fox Resources' 2019 application was rejected by the Qld Labor Government in April 2022. After Fox appealed, the Supreme Court overruled that decision in September 2023, thereby requiring Minister Stewart to reconsider his decision. Many of you signed a petition and wrote to Minister Stewart urging him to again reject the proposal (Issue 44, Issue 46). Since then our new LNP Government has again rejected the proposal, stating it is "not in the public interest", and it is unlikely the decision will be overturned. So keep up the good work - our actions, however small, do pay off!
💩💩Some bad news: 💩💩
Last month, Murray Watt approved the Woodside North West Shelf Karratha Gas Plant project because he is not required to consider the effects of Climate Change. (See Issue #70: A climate bomb)
Last week, the Federal Court rejected Torres Strait Islander Elders’ argument that the government must protect them from climate change, because the federal government does not have a legal duty of care.
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These two terrible losses highlight to me where we need to give our utmost efforts: to strengthen the EPBC Act (Issue #44: Kicking the can down the road); and to support David Pocock’s Duty of Care Bill.
Stay tuned: there will be much more to come about actions supporting these necessary changes.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action.
See you in two weeks - Ron
plus Malcolm, Robyn and Jan - The Climate Club Qld team
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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