Mood:
blueTopic: nuke threats
We now publish Dr Jim's ezine as promised for the Monday following the NSW election. (We will publish later today some post mortems on the election including Minister Tebbutt going directly to the back bench, do not collect $200, do not pass go. )
We have one minor criticism about Dr Jim's newsletter. We disagree that Matthew Warren of The Australian is a safe reporter on climate change issues (as here Rebels of the sun | Science & nature | The Australian ) when it's well known that organ is financially conflicted with its paid for massive 'Special Advertising Reports' pandering to the Fossil Fool and uranium mining sector here in Australia:
Examples are not limited to the March 19th 2007 "Paydirt uranium conference/ A SPECIAL ADVERTISING REPORT" pages 38 and 39 including 'story' with no byline "SA Labor presses for end to no-nukes policy".
Indeed Dr Jim has agreed in correspondence now that such a major reservation is in order when gleaning any value from the corporate voice of one Matthew Warren, as if he can really as mere journo expertly second guess the UN IPCC and other world class scientists like the USA based NASA scientist Dr Jim Hansen. I don't think so.
In this way Warren must be read down severely just as reputable scientists are being attacked for speaking up in the USA under the Bush administration.
Here is our second try at posting this item:
Image provided by Friends of the Earth Scotland.
March 15, 2007
Hello No Nukes News subscribers,
No Nukes News is produced by Friends of the Earth and is sent to over 930 subscribers. To un/subscribe, send an email with NNN-Subscribe or NNN-Unsubscribe in the subject line to <jim.green@foe.org.au>.
In this exciting edition of No Nukes News:
1. PALM SUNDAY - APRIL 1
2. UPCOMING EVENTS - Kathleen Sullivan national speaking tour - cycle against the nuclear cycle - various other events in Adelaide - Alice Springs - Brisbane - Canberra Darwin - Hobart - Melbourne - Perth - Sydney.
For details on the Peace Convergence - protesting US/Australia war training in Qld - see <www.peaceconvergence.com>
3. PLEASE ACT NOW
* Support for G20 arrestees
* Online Petition to Demand UK nuclear weapons Trident Cancellation
* ALP - uranium
* Talisman Sabre 2007
* Support the Pine Gap 6
4. IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING ...
Matthew Warren in The Oz predicting climate change policies.
NUCLEAR NEWS ITEMS are posted on the web at: <www.geocities.com/jimgreen3/nnn8.html> in these categories:
New information sources
Internationally-renowned disarmament campaigner jumps into river
Clean energy solutions:
Baseload electricity - debunking the myths
National nuclear waste dump proposed for NT
Water use of different energy sources
Nuclear weapons for Australia
Australia as the world's nuclear waste dump
Nuclear power for Australia:
Electricity options for Australia - '0.55 to stay alive'
Nuclear test veterans
Uranium mining in Australia
USA ANZUS alliance
Military bases
ASIO infiltrates Pine Gap campaign
Nuclear accidents - Sweden
Environmental racism
Lucas Heights - problems with new OPAL reactor
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PALM SUNDAY
Palm Sunday falls on April 1 and will be a major national day of anti-nuclear events and actions ... Nuclear Fools Day. Please help spread the word about events in your region.
Excellent Palm Sunday website which is updated regularly:
Palm Sunday will help galvanise and organise opposition to the nuclear push, and send a message to the Labor Party ahead of its national conference in late April, at which uranium policy will be debated.
A whopping 58 organisations have endorsed the Palm Sunday events, and this list is growing every day! It's great to see the diversity of groups that are part of the alliance - see http://www.nuclearfoolsday.org/endorsers
The website now has fliers and posters which people can download. For people wanting to adapt the flier with their local details, a template is available there also for you to adapt. If you would like a personalised flier, please e-mail details to: azane83@gmail.com
The website again: http://www.NuclearFoolsDay.org
PALM SUNDAY EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA
For details of events, see the city listings below.
Information on most capital cities is now available on the website. If you have more information or would like to add your event, please e-mail us at jessica@icanw.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS
- Kathleen Sullivan national speaking tour
- cycle against the cycle
- Adelaide
- Alice Springs
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Darwin
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Sydney
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UPCOMING EVENTS - KATHLEEN SULLIVAN - NATIONAL SPEAKING TOUR
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Kathleen Sullivan is a disarmament educator, author, activist and producer who has been engaged in the nuclear issue for the last 22 years, during which time she has worked with youth, community organizers, academics, government representatives and nuclear industry officials in Austria, China, Finland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and US. She received her PhD entitled "This New Promethean Fire: Radioactive Monsters and Sustainable Nuclear Futures" through Lancaster University, UK. Her independent research comprised nuclear criticism, environmental ethics, feminist theory, social theory and science studies.
From 2000 - 2006, she was the coordinator of the Nuclear Weapons Education and Action Project of Educators for Social Responsibility, one of the most significant youth programs in the US to teach nuclear awareness classes in the Public High Schools of New York City. Currently, Kathleen is establishing her own NGO, the Institute for Disarmament Education and Action (IDEA) which will provide lesson plans, and interactive arts based activities for young people to engage in creating a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Kathleen is a consultant to the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs in New York, writing disarmament curricula for young people to be posted on the UN's Cyberschoolbus website. She is also busy promoting her first film: an award winning feature documentary, The Last Atomic Bomb (2005). In her spare time she is making a CD of anti-nuclear remakes from the American Song Book and learning how to play guitar. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Melbourne:
2 April 2007: 6pm. Workshop at Friends of the Earth, "Talking About Nukes to Inspire Action (and not Sleep or Suicide)" contact <michaela.stubbs@foe.org.au>
3 April 2007: 12.30 - 2.30 Workshop at Howard Florey Institute for nuclear activists on communications, contact <felicity.hill@mapw.org.au>
3 April 2007: 6.30. Film screening and workshop with Pax Christi, St. Ignatius Meeting Room 4, 326 Church St, Richmond, contact Harry Kerr <ahmkerr@hotmail.com>
4 April 2007: 5.30 Lecture & discussion on US nuclear policy, Centre for Public Policy, second floor of 234 Queensberry St. contact John Langmore <langmore@att.net>
5 April 2007: 4-6 workshop with MAPW on ICAN education tools, contact Jessica Morrison <jessica@icanw.org>
5 April 2007: 7-9 Film Screening of "The Last Atomic Bomb", Howard Florey Lecture Theatre, Melbourne Uni, crn Grattan St & Royal Parade, contact Kazuyo Preston <kazpres@optusnet.com.au>
Canberra:
11 April 2007: 7pm, Legislative Assembly, ICAN launch, A Nuclear Free Future, with Bishop George Browning, contact Dimity Hawkins <dimity.hawkins@gmail.com>
Sydney
12 April 2007: lunchtime workshop 1pm. on Talking about Nukes to Inspire Action, Sydney Uni, contact Holly Creenaune <holly@asen.org.au>
12 April 2007: 6.30 Public Meeting with Friends of the Earth Nuclear Freeways Tour, Masonic Hall, Katoomba, contact Natalie Lowrey <natalie.lowrey@foe.org.au>
13 April 2007: Dinner with local activists, contact Anne Noonan <bunyip@bigpond.net.au>
14 April 2007: WILPF Sydney meeting, contact Stella Boyages <sboyages@gmail.com>
14 April 207: Friends of the Earth launch event, 3pm contact Holly Creenaune <holly@asen.org.au>
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UPCOMING EVENTS - CYCLE AGAINST THE NUCLEAR CYCLE
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An anti-nuclear cycle (Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle 3 - CANC3) is being planned for later this year.
The idea is to ride from Rockhampton to Canberra and for other riders to ride from around Port August to Canberra (the long way).
They will aim to arrive in Canberra before the election I believe (TBC).
They will be riding along the coast and passing the spots where all of the possible nuclear power plants could be built.
This is the third ride of its type, the first being from Melbourne to Jabiluka in '98 and then Jabiluka to Perth in 2000.
It would be good if you could publicise this to people you know who may want to join the ride or who could assist in some way.
A website has been set up with more info at http://canc2007.org.au
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UPCOMING EVENTS - ADELAIDE
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This Saturday 17th March we are hosting a special presentation on permaculture in Cuba. The amazing Elvira will be sharing her inspiring stories and photos of organic gardening in Cuba, as well as screening the film "The Power of Community: how Cuba survived Peak Oil". Starts 7pm, the Karen Elliot Social Centre (cnr Hawker and Coglin Sts, Brompton), food provided by Food not Bombs, gold coin donation.
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Friends of the Earth Adelaide
FoE Adelaide Clean Futures Collective meetings - every Tuesday night at 5.30pm at the Conservation Centre, 120 Wakefield St, Adelaide. All welcome.
0403 886951, 8227 1399
The meeting on the fourth Tuesday of every month is dedicated to welcoming new members and holding a workshop/skillshare. The topic of the next workshop on 27th March is making signs for the Palm Sunday Carnival, and future topics with guest speakers will be media, puppetry, public speaking, badge making, “Climate Change, Despair and Empowerment”, and many others. If you have a skill you’d like to share that would be useful for the group, let joel.catchlove@foe.org.au know!
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Public Meeting
Nuclear Power?
A Waste of Energy!
Tuesday 20th March 2007
6pm for 6.30pm start
Ends 8pm
Tandanya Main Gallery
253 Grenfell St, Adelaide
Kevin Kamps - Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), Washington DC
"Nuclear Power & Radioactive Waste: No Solution to Climate Change"
Dr Jason Garrood - Medical Association for the Prevention of War
Introducing the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear weapons (ICAN)
Imogen Zethoven – The Wilderness Society
“The Federal Government’s Nuclear Agenda”
Chris Warren – Channel 7 Environment Reporter, MC for the evening
Free Entry
Refreshments and publications will be available
For further information please contact The Wilderness Society:
Adelaide: (08) 8231 6586
Sydney: (02) 9282 9553
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Palm Sunday Peace Carnival!
This year Palm Sunday falls on April Fools Day, and all around the country, groups are preparing to mobilise for carnivals against the foolish wars and nuclear foolishness proposed for Australia.
Well over forty organisations have endorsed plans for an April Fools Palm Sunday nationwide, with events planned in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Alice Springs, Darwin, Perth, Canberra and Sydney.
The Adelaide Palm Sunday Peace Alliance, currently composed of about 25 environmental, social justice, political, church and community groups, is organising a carnival at Victoria Square, calling for Australians to not be fooled by the nuclear push, but rather to work “for peace, for nuclear disarmament, against uranium mining and exports, and for a renewable, nuclear-free future”.
Already a number of speakers, performers, puppeteers, buskers, musicians and bands have confirmed their participation, including Peter Combe, Poetikool Justice, Soursob Bob, DJ Jimi and many more to be announced!
We enthusiastically invite you to be a part of this event - there are plans for permaculture contingents, for bicycle contingents, for puppet troupes, anti-nuclear choirs, masquerade groups, giant octopi and much, much more; so decorate your bike! Come in costume! Make a mask! Make noise! Fly a kite! Plan choreographed, nuclear-free dances! And bring all your friends! Feel free to pass this on to everyone you know, and if you want more details, contact Joel (joel.catchlove@foe.org.au).
...
PALM SUNDAY PEACE CARNIVAL
for a peaceful, nuclear free future
1.00pm, April 1, Tardanyangga/Victoria Square
Join us for a picnic, carnival and concert
FEATURING: Heather Frahn, Peter Combe, Poetikool Justice, Soursob
Bob, DJ Jimi and many more to be announced!
Details as they emerge at http://www.nuclearfoolsday.org/adelaide
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Friday 27 - Sunday 29 April - ALP National Conference, Sydney. This conference will be a major point of anti-nuclear mobilisation as the ALP will vote to either overturn the no new uranium mines policy, or retain it and stave off a swag of new mines all around Australia. Lobby your local ALP rep to vote to keep the policy, see form letter below.
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April 15-21 - Nepabunna community work trip. This Friends of the Earth initiated trip sees a group going up to Nepabunna indigenous township in the Gammon Ranges twice yearly. Activities involve working in bush tucker garden, maintenance in Nantawarrina Protected Area, and activities with children. Contact sophie.green@foe.org.au for more information
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Sunday 18 March - Peace Brigades speaking tour, 12noon, Scots Church, cnr Pulteney and North Tce. Bring your lunch. Jodie Martire has just returned from Colombia where she spent 15 months volunteering with Peace Brigades as an international human rights observer. She provided protective accompaniment (unarmed bodyguarding) and political support to Colombian human rights defenders and members of communities of internally displaced refugees. Come and hear her stories.
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Saturday 24 March - Zine & DIY Fair, including a Really Free Market! 12-5pm, Vaughan Place (behind the Exeter). Bring along your wares to trade, or any books, clothes, plants etc to giveaway at the free market - the only free market worth having!
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Membership
As an independent environmental and social justice advocacy organisation, Friends of the Earth Adelaide depends on the support of its members and volunteers to keep it going. If you are not already a member, please consider joining us. Your membership directly funds our campaigns and helps maintain our independence from government and corporate funding. The membership fee is as little as $30 concession a year. Contact Joel.
0403 886951, 8227 1399
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UPCOMING EVENTS - ALICE SPRINGS
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Palm Sunday
April 1
Flynn Church Lawns, Todd Mall, 12-2 pm
BYO Picnic!
Free ice-cream & pony rides for kids!
Nat Wasley at the Arid Lands Environment Centre
<natwasley@alec.org.au> (08) 8952 2011, 0429 900 774.
Web: <www.no-waste.org> <www.alec.org.au>
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UPCOMING EVENTS - BRISBANE
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MINES, DUMPS AND REACTORS… OR A NUCLEAR-FREE AUSTRALIA?
FORUM AND DISCUSSION
Tired of the unrelenting pro-nukes agenda in the media and from all sides of
politics?
Want to hear both sides of the nuclear story?
The nuclear push is hotting up as both sides of government come out of
the closet with their nuclear intentions. Yet Australians still are
hesitant about uranium mining and most don’t want nuclear power plants in
their back yards. Join us for this forum and lively discussion of
Australia's position in the nuclear world, our energy options, nuclear waste
and jobs....
Speakers: Rosemarie Severin and Robin Taubenfeld - Friends of the Earth
Date: Thursday, March 15, 2007
Time: 6:30 for 7pm, Cost: Free
Place: Brisbane Workers Community Centre, 2 Latrobe Tce Paddington
Brought to you by the Brisbane Workers Community Centre & Friends of the
Earth Brisbane. FoEB is a member of the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance
www.brisbane.foe.org.au or phone 0411 118737
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Brisbane, Palm Sunday Peace Rally and March
11 am, 1st April
Queens Park, crn Elizabeth and George Streets, Brisbane
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Responding to Climate Change: The call to “ecological conversion”
Date: Friday evening march 16 and all day Sat March 17
Hosted by: The Catholic Social Action Office and the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
Forums Friday night and Sat morning: Workshops: 1:30- 3:35 – Friends of the Earth Climate Justice and Anti-nuclear Collectives will be hosting workshops on Sat afternoon.
Place: St James’ College 201 Boundary Street Fortitude Valley
For more info: Helen Allen 3891 5866
See program: www.sao.clriq.org.au
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Press Club Debate: Ziggy Switkowski (Head of Nuclear Review) v Don Henry (Executive Director Australian Conservation Foundation)
Date: March 27 (tue) 2007
Place: Presidential Ballroom, Carlton, King George Square, Brisbane
Cost: $132 or table of to 10 $1,100!!!!! (contact Qld media club 07 3503 5777)
STAY TUNED FOR a PEOPLES ACTION – Ziggy protest or – Grassroots press conference or event to be announced
.
More info about grassroots media conference/action: 0411 118 737
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The Great Nuclear Debate - w/ Prof Ian Lowe & guests
Date: March 29, 2007
MORE DETAILS – To BE ANNOUNCED
Place: Brisbane Workers Community Centre
2 Latrobe Tce Paddington
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PALM SUNDAY - BRISBANE
Rally for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament Inc is organising the
Annual Palm Sunday Peace Rally and March
11am on Sunday, 1st April
Queens Park, cnr Elizabeth and George Streets, Brisbane.
Speakers will focus on Nuclear Free Australia and Talisman Sabre 2007
war exercises.
For more info call Joan Shears jshears@powerup.com.au
ph 07 3855 8178 or 07 3855 9497
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Clean Energy Forum
Date:, April 19 (Thu) 2007
Time: 6:30 for 7pm
Place: Brisbane Workers Community Centre
2 Latrobe Tce Paddington
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Australia/Queensland as a US bombing range: Operation Talisman Sabre 2007
and Shoalwater Bay - info night on Aus/US war games starting late May near Rockhampton
Date: May 17 (Thu) 2007
Time: 6:30 for 7pm
Place: Brisbane Workers Community Centre
2 Latrobe Tce Paddington
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Ecological and Social Justice - forum and discussion
Date: June 21 (Thu) 2007
Time: 6:30 for 7pm
Place: Brisbane Workers Community Centre
2 Latrobe Tce Paddington
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Sustainability and Food - forum and discussion
Date:, July 19 (Thu) 2007
Time: 6:30 for 7pm
Place: Brisbane Workers Community Centre
2 Latrobe Tce Paddington
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UPCOMING EVENTS - CANBERRA
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PALM SUNDAY
CANBERRA
Nuclear Fools Day Sunday April 1
Rally 12pm ACT Legislative Assembly
Marching to Glebe Park, Civic
Contact CRANC on nonukescanberra@gmail.com or visit
www.nonukescanberra.org to stay in touch.
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UPCOMING EVENTS - DARWIN
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PALM SUNDAY - DARWIN
April 1 - meet 11am, Nightcliff Markets
Next planning meeting is at 6pm on Tuesday March 6. Ring Emma for details on 8981 1894 or email ecnturanium@iinet.net
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UPCOMING EVENTS - HOBART
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Palm Sunday
Noon: gather at Franklin Square for walk to Salamanca lawns for Rally
at 12:30.
Speakers include: Senator Christine Milne, Ald Rob Valentine, Dr
Gerry McGushin
More details to come.
See Peace Tasmania for more information.
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UPCOMING EVENTS - MELBOURNE
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THE NUCLEAR SAHARA - Living with the legacies of French nuclear testing
Join us for an evening of slides and stories from the Sahara:
6.30pm Sunday 18 March
Travellers Bookstore, 294 Smith Street, Collingwood 3066
Between 1960 and 1966, France conducted 17 nuclear tests in Algeria.
Last month, for the first time, the Algerian government hosted an international conference on the health and environmental consequences of nuclear testing in the Sahara. The meeting brought together former soldiers from France and nuclear survivors from Algeria, together with researchers from the Middle East, France, Tahiti, Japan, Australia and the United States. Nic Maclellan attended the conference and also travelled to the In Eker test site.
More details and a picture in the flier.
Please circulate to friends who might be interested
Drinks and nibbles provided. Please RSVP 0421 840 100 or email
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Palm Sunday - Melbourne
1 April - 1pm Treasury Gardens, parade to Sidney Myer Music Bowl
peace festival, 3pm - 6
Help Wanted in Melbourne!
* huge number of posters to past up ... please help if you can
Palm Sunday collective meets weekly.
Some contacts:
Louise Morris - 9419 8700 - morris.lv@gmail.com
Felicity Hill - felicity.hill@mapw.org.au - 8344 1637
Jessica Morrison - 8344 1637
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Talking About Nukes to Inspire Action (and not Sleep or Suicide)
Workshop with Nuclear Disarmament Education specialist from the USA, Dr. Kathleen Sullivan
Monday 2nd April, 6-8pm
Friends of the Earth Cafe, 312 Smith Street, Collingwood, 9419 8700
Nuclear issues can be very difficult to talk about. The excessive destruction caused by nuclear weapons, the complicated science and technological questions, the extremely long time that nuclear waste remains poison, and the absurd budgets involved can be overwhelming and depressing.
Friends of the Earth and the Medical Association for Prevention of War invite you to learn how to inspire hope, enthusiasm and action when you talk about nuclear issues.
Dr. Kathleen Sullivan is a nuclear disarmament education specialist from the United States who has worked with Educators for Social Responsibility on their nuclear weapons project, teaching New York City high school students critical thinking skills about nuclear weapons. She is generating 6 lesson plans, with tools, tricks and activities for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear weapons (ICAN).
Please come along to this workshop where Dr. Sullivan will share her tools and tricks, useful for public speaking, classrooms and generally boosting our confidence for speaking about nuclear dangers.
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UPCOMING EVENTS - PERTH
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PUBLIC MEETING

Nuclear Power? A Waste of Energy
When: Thursday 15th March 2007, 6pm – 7.30pm

Where: City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi St, West Perth

Speakers:
Kevin Kamps – Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), Washington DC
‘Nuclear Power & Radioactive Waste: No Solution to Climate Change’

Dr. Harry Cohen – Medical Association for the Prevention of War
‘Introducing the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’

Imogen Zethoven – The Wilderness Society
‘The Federal Government’s Nuclear Agenda’

Free Entry
Refreshments and publications available
Organised by:
The Wilderness Society; Anti-Nuclear Alliance of WA; Conservation Council of WA


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A WORKSHOP TO HELP YOU GET ACTIVE.....!
Climate Change, Clean Energy and the Nuclear Trap – Moving from Alarm to Action

When: Monday, 19th March 2007, 6pm-9pm

Where: City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi St, West Perth

Speakers: 

Jo Vallentine – Jo Vallentine is the former Senator for the Greens and the Nuclear Nuclear Disarmament Party

Scott Ludlam - Scott Ludlam is a volunteer with the Fremantle Anti-Nuclear Group and the Greens lead Senate candidate for the 2007 election

The workshop will be an interactive look at energy campaigning in the age of climate change – how to shift our communities to a safe energy path and defeat the ‘nuclear renaissance’. Following short presentations, the workshop will invite creative input from participants.
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PALM SUNDAY - PERTH
Together with the University of Western Australia comes the Sun
Festival and concerns about Climate Change.
Held at UWA's Oak Lawn, on 1st April from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m
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UPCOMING EVENTS - SYDNEY
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If you want more info about these Sydney events, or better still if you wanna get involved, contact
Holly Creenaune
0417 682 541
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Saturday March 17: Nuke Bloc to join the global protest against Iraq war in Sydney.
Sat March 17, 12noon, SYDNEY TOWN HALL, Marching to Belmore Park for bands. Meet student and anti-nuke activists at 11:45am at the Queen Victoria Statue (outside Queen Victoria Building) .
Speakers include TOM KENEALLY * author, social change activist, SENATOR KERRY NETTLE * Greens, PAUL GARRETT * Maritime Union of Australia, HOLLY CREENAUNE * Friends of the Earth, DAVID BERNIE * NSW Council for Civil Liberties, and MEREDITH BURGMAN * Australian Labor Party
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Wednesday 21st March, 5:30pm - 7pm
Forum at UNSW with Mark Diesendorf (UNSW), Dr. Alistair Sproul (UNSW), and Holly Creenaune (FoE) addressing the NSW and Federal elections and real climate change solutions. Venue TBC, contact Angie Rozali UNSW Co-Environment Director, ilazorangie@gmail.com / 0405 763 360.
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Sunday March 25th, Creative working bee for Palm Sunday extravaganza, Friends of the Earth, 19 Eve St, Erskineville. Contact Adam on adamwolf@riseup.net / 0401045536
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Sunday April 1st: Palm Sunday Peace Parade, 1pm at Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta. www.nuclearfoolsday.org or http://www.nswpeace.org/ Contact Holly Creenaune, Friends of the Earth, holly.creenaune@foe.org.au / 0417 682 541
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Tuesday April 10th, 6pm: Public meeting and Launch of Nuclear Freeways Tour! Location TBA. Contact Holly Creenaune, Friends of the Earth, holly.creenaune@foe.org.au / 0417 682 541
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April 12th Thursday - Talking About Nukes to Inspire Action (and not Sleep or Suicide): Sydney Uni, Wednesday April 12th, 1pm. Contact Holly Creenaune, Friends of the Earth, holly.creenaune@foe.org.au / 0417 682 541
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April 14th Saturday - Launch of Friends of the Earth Sydney and FoE Sydney Nuclear Free Collective - 3pm - Community Cafe - 40 Forbes St, Newtown. Come for bands, awesome speakers, short films and be part of creating a new FoE Sydney!
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April 27-29th ALP National Conference - be a part of organising and mobilising to retain the Australian Labor Party's long-standing No New Uranium Mines policy. To get involved, contact Holly Creenaune, Friends of the Earth, holly.creenaune@foe.org.au / 0417 682 541
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PLEASE ACT NOW
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Support for G20 arrestees: a vital part of our social justice & environmental work
In November last year approximately three thousand people participated in actions to express their dissent against the G20 and promote their visions for an ecologically sustainable and socially just future. Many of those participating in the protests have been involved in local campaigns concerning a range of issues – climate change, justice for Indigenous peoples, workers' rights, forests, queer politics, gender issues, and much more. They saw the G20 meeting as an opportunity to challenge some of the root causes of the problems that they campaign against daily.
As you are no doubt aware, the police have arrested approximately 30 protesters, and are continuing to make arrests. They are taking extraordinary measures such as publicly depicting the faces of protesters they are interested in questioning, and laying very serious charges such as riot and affray (charges that could result in jail terms of several years). Arrestees are under very restrictive bail conditions, such as in some cases having to report to the police three times per week, surrendering their passport and not even being allowed to leave the state.
The actions that took place around G20 reflected the widely varying approaches of those present towards globalisation, the state and social change. Most people will have their own views about the strategies and tactics used at the G20 mobilisations - but whatever these are, it is vital that we all give strong, ongoing support for the people who are now facing police harassment and charges.
The criminalisation of protest activity has major consequences for all social justice and environmental campaigns. The state is using the G20 protests as an opportunity to create a climate of fear about direct action and public protest. This is a crucial time to stand up for our right to protest. We need to defend and endorse direct action as a legitimate part of our social justice and environmental campaigns.
The Ongoing G20 Arrestee Solidarity Network has formed to support the G20 arrestees, and to encourage people to question and challenge the increasing criminalisation of protest. As more arrests are possible, and as the court cases for those arrested are likely to take many months, we are in this for the long haul.
We need your support, and your solidarity to ensure that the spaces for all of us to protest do not continue to shrink.
This is what you can do:
- Please forward this email and attached flyer further through your networks
- While some G20 arrestees will be eligible for legal aid or are receiving pro bono support from a legal firm, some will need to pay for their own legal costs. Some potentially face fines of several thousand dollars. Please consider making a donation to help cover their legal costs – contact the solidarity line on 0408 307 722 or email afterg20@gmail.com for further details on how to make a donation.
- The publishing of the faces of 28 people by the Victorian Police in The Age and through the Crimestoppers website was a major invasion of privacy and potentially limits these people's right to a fair trial . You can submit a letter of complaint to the Press Council online at http://www.presscouncil.org.au/pcsite/complaints/compform.html (see the Statement of Principles and Code of Privacy Standards at http://www.presscouncil.org.au/pcsite/complaints/priv_stand.html )
- You can write letters to the editor, and phone in at talk-back shows, to challenge the mainstream public perception of the events happening at G20.
- Do not give any information to the police about the G20 protests or protesters if you are asked. Use your right to silence and contact a lawyer if you have any concerns.
- Actively challenge the idea that it's okay to dob in G20 protesters.
- Contact the G20 arrestee solidarity support number 0408 307 722 if you have any questions or need any support in relation to the G20 arrests.
- If there are ways in which you or your organisation can offer support to those arrested (e.g. by helping to organise a fundraising gig), contact the Ongoing G20 Arrestee Solidarity Network on 0408 307 722 or email afterg20@gmail.com.
In solidarity,
the Ongoing G20 Arrestee Solidarity Network
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IPPNW News Alert
Online Petition to Demand Trident Cancellation
The UK Parliament will be voting on whether to renew the UK's Trident nuclear missile program on March 14, 2007 -- less than two weeks away. If Trident is renewed, this ensures that the UK will have nuclear weapons far into the future. As members of an international community committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons, we must make our collective voices heard on this issue.
US medical student Tova Fuller, in consultation with IPPNW's UK affiliate, Medact, has created an online petition demanding the cancellation of the Trident replacement. You can read and sign the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Trident_Petition. Please forward this web address to all of your contacts. The petition deadline is March 7, to allow enough time to disseminate the text and signatures to key Members of Parliament before the debate.
More information about Trident and the blockade at the UK submarine base at Faslane can be found at the IPPNW student website --
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ALP - uranium
Please show your opposition to the push for the ALP to overturn its policy of opposition to new uranium mines. Send a letter to Rudd via this FoE website:
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Talisman Sabre 2007
US and Australian war training
Talisman Sabre is the name of the largest ever military training exercises, scheduled for May/June 2007 and planned to involve over 30,000 US military personnel.
The 'Peace Convergence' is the answer to this, a network of peace activists, committed to challenging the war in nonviolent and creative ways. We will be travelling up to Shoalwater Bay during the excercises to demonstrate Australian oposition to the use of our soil for US training exercises.
If you'd like to get involved, check the website:
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Support the Pine Gap 6
At dawn on December 9, 2005 a 'Citizen's Inspection' of Pine Gap took place causing Pine Gap to shut down for five hours. The reason? A group of four Christian pacifists had entered the base, seeking to expose the terrorist acts perpetrated from inside the base (while two others supported the action without entering the base). To support their work including their legal battle, , check this website: www.pinegap6.org
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IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING ...
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Announcing a green era
Where to go next in climate policy in an election year?
Environment writer Matthew Warren previews the next possible moves
February 24, 2007
MEMO from Prime Minister to Minister for the Environment. Subject: Climate change. Status: Very urgent.
Malcolm, great work with the light bulbs. We're going to need a few more ideas like that before the budget. I want to climate change proof the economy. And the election. I've asked the Treasurer to set aside a few billion to play with from the surplus.
The Government's rules on climate change policy remain the same: We can announce emissions reduction strategies similar to Labor but cannot be seen to be copying them.
Any proposal must minimise harm or impact on the economy; it's still our strongest suit.
All proposals must be genuine solutions or pathways to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Where possible, go after low-hanging fruit; trigger energy savings and efficiency improvements that have recoverable and recordable payback.
And finally, I like the incandescent light bulbs ban. The voters get it. Can you include some other affordable and highly consumer-oriented ideas that have high political impacts?
Thanks, PM.
Herewith is a list of 10 possible climate change announcements Australians may hear in the lead-up to the election later this year.
Green homes
THE Government will drive energy savings from two of the biggest energy consumers in Australian homes. Refrigeration comprises about 13 per cent of household energy use while hot water comprises 37 per cent. The Government will provide a $150 rebate for households purchasing a new refrigerator with 4.5-star or better energy efficiency. It will also provide a $250 rebate for households switching from electricity to solar or high efficiency gas hot water systems. These combined will save about 750,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.
Global cooling
THE increased use of airconditioners has become a contentious symbol of increased energy use. The Government will mandate that all dwellings that install airconditioners should have insulation to an efficiency value of 3 in their ceilings. The Government will assist this by providing a $400 per household rebate for the insulation. About half the dwellings in Australia still do not have insulation. This rebate will therefore be extended to all homes wishing to install insulation if it does not exist. This measure will save about 470,000 tonnes of CO2 each year at a cost of about $44 per tonne of greenhouse gas.
Green cars
THE Government will accelerate the reduction of import tariffs on fuel-efficient cars, including hybrid vehicles, fuel-efficient diesel and petrol engines with a five-star fuel efficiency rating or better in the Government's Green Car Guide. Presently, an import duty of 10 per cent applies to all passenger vehicles and this is scheduled to fall to 5 per cent from 2010. This measure will cut the cost of low emissions vehicles by between $1000 and $2000, and save 750,000 tonnes of CO2 each year at a cost of about $266 per tonne.
Energy-smart offices
COMMERCIAL offices in Australia account for about 10 per cent of our greenhouse gases. Some of the cheapest energy savings can be made by simple retro-fitting of airconditioning, ventilation and by switching to low energy and smart lighting, which combined account for about 70 per cent of office energy consumption. The Government will set up an expert panel of energy efficiency experts who will work with the Property Council and associated agencies to underwrite the cost of retrofitting offices across Australia until 2012. These buildings will then be certified Energy Smart and the energy savings used to repay the cost of the initial retrofit. This scheme will therefore be revenue neutral, but is expected to save about two million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.
Low-emissions targets
AT present the Government creates incentives for renewable energy by mandating a 2 per cent renewable energy target. The Government seeks to increase the scope and scale of this target by introducing a 10 per cent mandatory low-emissions technology target, which will include renewable energy as well as other low-emissions technologies including abatement technologies up to the equivalent of 0.2 tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour. This will exclude gas but foster the development of a wider range of low-emissions technologies. The present cost of the existing scheme of $40 to $70 per tonne of CO2 is expected to be halved by opening up a wider range of abatement options.
Go solar
THE Government provides financial assistance to those households investing in solar cells to provide renewable energy for their homes. But they are very expensive. A basic domestic solar power system starts at about $13,000 to save about 65 per cent of total electricity use. To date, about 8000 homes in Australia have taken advantage of the offer (of a rebate of up to $4 per peak watt) since 2000. The Government will therefore increase this subsidy to $6 and target 10,000 new homes each year. This will save about 48,000 tonnes each year at a cost of $100 per tonne of greenhouse gas saved.
Accelerated clean coal
COAL and gas provide more than 80per cent of Australia's electricity and power much of the world's economy. Being able to make them clean by capturing and storing greenhouse emissions underground is critical to a low-emissions pathway for the globe. Equally, if this technology is not cost effective or limited by technology or geology, it is critical Australia and the world know this sooner rather than later so we can make decisions about alternative technology pathways. To this end the Government will invest $500 million, matched dollar for dollar by the coal industry, to rapidly accelerate research and development of clean coal technology as well as accelerated geological surveying to identify all suitable storage locations.
Carbon-neutral air travel
AIR travel is a substantial source of greenhouse gas emissions. From 2008 all domestic air travel in Australia will be required to offset the greenhouse gases emitted for each flight. This is likely to add about $6 to $10 per seat per trip. This will be used to finance the sequestration of greenhouse gases in forests and other approved offset schemes. This initiative will add about $400 million to the cost of domestic air travel in Australia each year and save the equivalent of about 18 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year.
Environment levy
THE Government recognises that the Australian economy is built on its access to cheap energy. But at the same time we must drive restructuring and efficiency if we are to remain competitive. Therefore, from 2010 the Government will place a price on carbon of $5 per tonne in the form of an environmental levy to raise about $2 billion, which will be reinvested into delivering energy savings and efficiency gains for Australian industry. This reinvestment will be managed by a panel of industry representatives, with particular focus on accelerating efficiency gains in energy-intense sectors such as metals processing, cement, electricity generation and pulp and paper processing. This reinvestment in the economy has the potential to save up to 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gas each year and will help climate change-proof Australian industry.
Emissions trading
A WELL-DESIGNED emissions trading system is widely considered the most efficient way to deliver across-the-board reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Recent reports have reinforced the Government's concern that a stand-alone Australian scheme will add considerable cost to business and households. Learning from the European experience, it is also clear that it is likely to take several years to establish a workable and efficient trading regime. Therefore this Government will begin development of an emissions trading scheme in Australia to begin operation by 2012, designed to integrate with global systems as they evolve. From 2012 each state government will be asked to nominate a 20-year regime of emission limits, which will form the basis for domestic trading from that date. New Zealand will also be invited to participate under the Closer Economic Relations agreement between our two countries.
Posted by editor
at 12:35 PM NZT
Updated: Monday, 26 March 2007 5:33 PM NZT
