Mood:  energetic

Forty climate activists have closed down the rail line into the world's
biggest coal port this morning, protesting the failure of the UN climate
talks in Copenhagen to produce a just, effective, and legally binding
treaty.
 
Twenty five of the diverse group - aged from 19 to 86 years and including
a Buddhist priest, and an elected local councillor - are occupying a rail
bridge in Newcastle, Australia, and refusing to leave. They have hung
large banners reading "Greed wrecked Copenhagen: Now it's up to us all",
and "You could have done something great."

There are five activists suspended on ropes from train under bridge, there
are three or so Dlocked onto train and one on tripod. there are two or
three sitting in front and two or three sitting behind - the train aint
goin nowhere. police rescue have turned up - two of them, without a ladder.

Here is the big media via Newcastle Herald today:

Posted by editor at 9:53 AM EADT

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Mood:  quizzical

It's bushfire season here. Being a Hawkesbury District local we took a drive around the latest bushfire in .... Londonderry?

Funny because all the streets we drove down in Londonderry don't have any fire indicators. But as you go west to nearby Castlereagh you can find alot. And it's "Castlereagh" based on the street signage footnote printed there.

No doubt with that 43 degree heat and gusty wind late last week the bushfire threatened Londonderry but looks alot like the bushfire was actually in Castlereagh about 4 km further west.

We put it down to the silly season, and or grim predictions of tragedy and disaster running ahead of the flames.

Posted by editor at 12:59 PM EADT

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Mood:  d'oh

We noticed the Washington Post web front page for 20 Dec 09 (our time, 19 Dec 09 over there) goes with healthcare and a record snow storm, with Copenhagen climate conference nearly a footnote:

It sure looks like global warming just got crunched by Obama's domestic political imperatives. 

Posted by editor at 12:45 PM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 20 December 2009 12:52 PM EADT

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Mood:  hug me

The primary vote in the latest polling in NSW has The Green Party here at 17% up from around 11%.

Similarly the federal Green Party reps are busy in solidarity with the Association of Small Island States at Copenhagen as per this email just in 6 hours ago by the magic of the intertubes. We would have posted more on the Austalian interface with the UN conference but we've been at the NSW Supreme Court on a charity mission for a colleague for 3 days:

..........................................

Dear friend, I am writing to you again from Copenhagen, where the conference has been reverberating for days with the brave voices of island leaders. The island leaders, from Tuvalu to the Maldives, Grenada to Kiribati, are pleading for serious climate action from developed and developing countries alike. They rightly point out that the kind of weak deal that rich countries like Australia have on offer is a suicide pact for them and they will not sign it. Support the island leaders now! But Kevin Rudd responded to this heartfelt plea from the world's most vulnerable people by trying to bully them into submission. He picked up the phone and started to call Pacific leaders, berating them for what he called their "unproductive stance". You can read about it in my blogs from Copenhagen on our website. These island leaders will be coming under immense pressure from the world's largest and richest countries in the next few days. Those who want a political outcome more than they want a meaningful safe climate outcome are pressuring the islands to pull back and accept a weak deal. Island leaders need our support now! All Australians who support the brave stand taken by island leaders should get behind them now. We need to tell them not to listen to Mr Rudd, and reassure them that many Australians stand with the islands in their call for survival. Please take a few minutes to email these leaders to give them your support. Yours in hope, Christine

Meanwhile ironic that the right wing shock jocks are whining about police resources over this banner below when literally millions of Australians agree with this Greenpeace message. The people's house? We paid for it (literally).

Also notice how pathetic The Sydney Daily Telegraph are not publishing the unfurled banner in their press edition yesterday, while the Sydney Morning Herald did. What would owner Rupert 'give the planet the benefit of the doubt' Murdoch think of their News Limited (literally) values, let alone common sense? Here is the Greenpeace blog posting, with link to a short video:

 We've just noticed this blog site from New Matilda here http://newmatilda.com/copthis/

and no doubt there is plenty more at www.crikey.com.au

and public broadcaste www.abc.net.au

Posted by editor at 5:44 AM EADT

Updated: Thursday, 17 December 2009 6:20 AM EADT

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Mood:  chatty

Author’s general introductory note   

This is not a well packaged story. It’s a contemporaneous traverse of the Sunday television free to air political talkies indicating the agenda of Establishment interests: Better to know ones rivals and allies in Big Politics and Big Media. Perhaps the greatest utility is the headline synthesis above of the 3 or 4 shows followed in this session.

For actual transcripts and/or video feeds go to the programme web sites quoted including Riley Diary on 7. And note transcripts don’t really give you the image content value.

Other sources of pollie talkies on Sunday include SkyNews paytv Sunday Agenda, Radio National Monica Attard Sunday Profile show. And of course Sunday night shows SBS Dateline, Sixty Minutes and now Sunday Tonight on 7.  

Media backgrounders.  

1. We noticed yesterday's Saturday Telegraph with a suggestive front page "Little battler", after discussion late last week about Abbott's book "Battlelines" and "Abbott's army" being equivalent to "Howard's Battlers". Which echoes for good or ill with the big billboard about 'the next climate "battleground". Abbott and Joyce are getting trashed in serious commentary but the front pager was about a sick baby in hospital - a diversion story by conservative Telegraph?

2. Having just checked the Sydney press on the web - which is different to the hard copy - in the Sydney SunHerald this about Copenhagen, rather than Sydney

Protesters demand climate for change

This about forests in the world rather than Australia as such by Peg Putt:

We flex our lobbying muscle in fight for forests (great pic there)

3. But this about Sydney:

Marchers shout a message all the way to Denmark ABOUT 80,000 people took to Australian streets yesterday for a Walk Against Warming designed to send a message to leaders at the Copenhagen climate change summit.

There is a good photo collage by the look of it at this link (we did critique of poor photo coverage of protests at APEC on crikey string last week as 'sepia tone', maybe this collage is a reaction?). Can't see the stack display in there

Peter skips swim to join climate protest GLOBAL warming is a serious, political and scientific issue - even when you're only eight years old.

ABC web coverage is here including video:

Massive turnout for Walk Against Warming

 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/12/2769874.htm

They say 90,000 nationally.

4. The News Corp Sunday Telegraph looks almost empty of coverage on the web at least, something about Garnaut supporting ETS approach.

5. Little micro news SAM ran this yesterday featuring a Canberra image of the black stacks and TWS on forests as well, perhaps leading to the Peg Putt story today (?):

Walk Against Warming event in Sydney at 1pm today at Martin Place
Mood:  lyrical
Topic: globalWarming

6. 40K were in Melbourne, 5K in Sydney according to ABC tv last night about 5th story in the lineup at 7 pm. We have to say the Climate Institute - which unlike The Greens - supports the big polluter CPRS was a sponsor of WAW which is a problem. ABC web say 90,000 nationally participated in protests.

7. Meanwhile the NSW premier is going on a 2 day drought tour in the regions which are apparently 80% drought declared. She was out with the bushfire service near Bathurst late last week.

8. The real worry in terms of Big Media is that SMH had a personality piece and pics on front of the SMH about Keneally (about tears for dead helicopter pilot bushfire service NPWS – no doubt sincere) but didn't ask her about her position on climate change (given Pell is against, Pope is for action).

9. The other big worry is SMH lead feature was about a 6 million population in Sydney in 20 years without one question about a 350K yearly immigration level (nationally). That's outright big business bias (developer dollar). Journo's are Jessica Irvine and Matthew Moore.

10. Most of the Sunday political talkie shows will be in recess today - will check all the same.

11. Plenty of references to ongoing bushfire threat on abc radio and I imagine elsewhere. Our images here of water bombing at Gross Wold lower Blue Mtns from a distance of maybe 20 km as the crow flies:

10 Meet the Press:  8- 8-30 am 

In recess – didn’t run.

Meet The Press - Watch Political Video Online - Channel TEN.

Riley Diary 7, from 8.40am 

Distracted during this but mostly about ascension of the 'Abbott Family' like the Addams Family tv monster shockers suggesting the new Opposition Front bench are whackos, which echoes much of the other Canberra press gallery to date.

http://www.seven.com.au/sunrise/weekend 

9 Sunday newshour Laurie Oakes interview 8.44 am 

Will it run? Not seen. LO article in the SMH is like Riley quite uncomplimentary of the new Abbott Opposition front bench especially Barnaby Joyce.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/oakes

Insiders 2: 9- 10am

In recess. Last weeks Q&A instead here

http://www.abc.net.au/insiders

Inside Business with Alan Kohler  .

in recess.

Refer http://www.abc.net.au/insidebusiness/ 

Posted by editor at 10:34 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 December 2009 10:38 AM EADT

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Mood:  lyrical

More info at this link on the image:

In relation to forest protection issues notice:

* This display will be attending regarding South Coast of NSW opposed to a forest biomass furnace for energy production

 A recent letter in Bega District News about this reads as follows:

Burning issue.

 

The response from SEFE [South East Fibre Exports, formerly Daishowa Woodchip Mill at Eden] to being denied exhibition space in the Clean Energy Expo highlights some interesting points.

It is clearly beyond the scope of the Corporate Affairs Manager to understand that burning native forests to create electricity is neither clean, green, or alternative.

Rather, it shows a lack of understanding for ecology and the basic life systems of this world in which we live.

Explained simply, cutting down forests has a negative impact on our soils and on water quality and availability.

It releases carbon into the atmosphere and destroys the habitats and therefore lives of numerous species.

The unmanaged regrowth forests further suck up vast quantities of our limited ground water supplies, robbing streams, rivers and catchments of the water needed to sustain life.

The current practice of chipping 90 per cent of these forests and exporting them as woodchips is another big carbon footprint.

But the proposal to burn these forests as waste wood and produce electricity somehow makes the industry see it as an alternative energy source.

Vince Phillips and others may try and wear a green hat, but I don’t think so and congratulations to the Clean Energy committee for drawing the line.

(Even knowing the change of mind) my comments stand, but my question is where do we stand on forests, what value do we place on our ecological systems?

Maybe SEFE should set up in the street with their information for direct questioning and feedback from the community.

I think the discussion about this issue needs to be had and has only just begun.

The Forest Forum on Saturday afternoon at 1pm might provide a starting point for some directions into our common forested future.

Skye Etherington

Wallagoot

 

* In Tasmania

Tasmania Updates - The Wilderness Society Dear Tom, Walk Against Warming Timbs Track, Upper Florentine Valley 12 noon Saturday 12 December I am writing to you from Copenhagen, where I am representing Tasmania's ancient forests at the international climate talks. I will show images and video of the Walk Against Warming to world leaders attending the climate talks. By being part of the Walk, you will be showing them that you want strong urgent action and the protection of the world's forests. Come along and join the call for a strong international deal at the Copenhagen climate talks. Walk Against Warming Timbs Track, Upper Florentine Valley 12 noon Saturday 12 December Special guest: Peter Cundall I've just heard that Australian folk-music legend Xavier Rudd will be attending the Walk Against Warming. I'm sure he'll be inspired to sing you a song or two. Timbs Track in the Upper Florentine is off the Gordon River Road, about 90 minutes drive from Hobart. Click here for driving directions to Timbs Track. We are encouraging everyone to use sustainable transport to go to the Walk Against Warming. Buses from Hobart - tickets are $20 return. Buy your tickets from the Wilderness Society Shop in Salamanca, phone 03 6234 9370. Carpool - don't travel with empty seats in your car. Register as a driver or a passenger at www.coolpooltas.com.au  First-time users should read 'How it works' under the 'About the Cool Pool' tab. Thank you for your support of Tasmania's ancient forests. Please help me convince world leaders to protect the world's forests and secure a safe climate for our future. Gemma Tillack Climate Change and Forests Campaigner PS: Keep up-to-date with what's going on in Copenhagen through my twitter feeds and daily blog. Go to wilderness.org.au/copenhagen

 * In Copenhagen

Dear Tom, Forest Campaigner Luke Chamberlain gives an update on what we'll be doing at the Copenhagen climate summit The Copenhagen climate summit, from 7 - 18 December, is the deadline for committing to a successor to the Kyoto protocol - which Australia joined in late 2007. Those present will be discussing the degree to which developed and developing countries should reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Wilderness Society has been at the forefront promoting the role nature can play in safeguarding our climate. Find out more about the role we'll be playing in Copenhagen » 25% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by logging and degrading forests and bushland - so protecting forests makes climate sense. Stopping deforestation is, in principle, cheap and simple - don’t cut them down. But it gets more complex when countries are asked to regulate the problem. Finding a solution to these issues is one of the strongest hopes for the Copenhagen summit. Our special Copenhagen page has the latest from our Climate Change Campaigner Gemma Tillack via daily blogs from the climate summit, and you'll be able to get the latest climate tweets on our Twitter page. Get the latest at our special Copenhagen page » Thanks for your support - stay tuned in the coming days for more updates. The team at the Wilderness Society

 

Posted by editor at 8:00 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 12 December 2009 9:10 AM EADT

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Mood:  bright

 

So hopefully Megan Jones has made a serious contribution to changing that for a mere $70 price. Nor do we have a hard copy here. So we just repeat extracts of their PR blurb for your information:

 Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide
Published December 2009 through Earthscan

Home Grown Solutions – From Australia to the World

Newcastle’s Meegan Jones returns to Australia after working for the past three years in the UK as Sustainability Manager for the producer of Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds Festivals, Festival Republic, to launch her first book - a comprehensive guide on Sustainable Event Management.

Meegan has spent the past 20 years working in events, focusing in recent years on developing sustainability in event management.

She has developed sustainability solutions at Peats Ridge Festival in Australia and worked on sustainability issues for Live Earth India and the London Marathon. Meegan is currently the global greening consultant for the next round of Live Earth events, is the events consultant for UK-based music industry climate impact organization Julie’s Bicycle and is on the working group for Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) events industry sector supplement.

Meegan is also working with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) on their new Music and Environment Initiative, to be launched in 2010.

In Australia until end of January 2010, Meegan will then take up new events and sustainability challenges in India.

“Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide” is published by Earthscan and can be purchased from UNSW Books or through the book’s website www.sustainableeventguide.com

Price is $69.95 and will be available in Australia from 15th January 2010  

.........................

Meegan Jones is an events professional focusing her work on developing sustainable management solutions for live events. Apart from producing practical solutions to sustainability challenges, working with industry peers she has researched and developed benchmarking and systems for assessing the impact of events. She uses her experience in marketing and event management across the retail, music and media industries to create scenarios which engage and activate the audience, performers, crew and the supply chain.

Meegan has worked for the past three years in the UK as Sustainability Co-ordinator for Festival Republic (Reading, Leeds, Latitude & Glastonbury Festivals), developed sustainability solutions at Peats Ridge Festival in Australia, and has worked on sustainability issues for Live Earth India and the London Marathon. She is currently sitting on the working group for Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) events industry sector supplement, is global greening consultant for the next round of Live Earth events, and is the events and festivals consultant for UK-based music industry climate impact organization Julie’s Bicycle. ______________________________________________________________

Author: Meegan Jones (meegan@thegreeneventguide.com)

Released: December 2009

Publisher: Earthscan (www.earthscan.co.uk)

Posted by editor at 8:29 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 12 December 2009 9:06 AM EADT

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Mood:  quizzical

We have received two unsolicited blog emails from NSW Leader of the Opposition Barry O'Farrell or BOFFA as he seems to be known.

Here is our response and main email received below. We've kept the font and size of BOFFA as it was received. So make your own judgement. Our response in the preface relates to the tatty record of energy privatisation in the USA courtesy of Enron scandal. Our reference to hung parliament is echoed by a posting by Lee Rhiannon MP (Green Party) on New Matilda recently called Hang this!

............................

----- Original Message -----

From: Barry O'Farrell

To: Ecology Action

Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 11:01 AM

Subject: Blog: Why YOU deserve a NSW election now

---

Dear Ecology Action

Last week NSW found itself with its fourth Labor Premier in four years - chosen by those Nathan Rees described as the 'malignant and treacherous' forces with the Labor Party, Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi - with the public again denied any say.

In his last press conference as Premier, Nathan Rees, proclaimed:

"Should I not be Premier by the end of this day, let there be no doubt in the community's mind, no doubt, that any challenger will be a puppet of Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi." (click here to watch it on YouTube)

The State's latest leadership change - and the methods used by Joe Tripodi and Eddie Obeid to deliver another ally into the Premiership - again highlights why Labor doesn't deserve to govern: public interest was again ignored; the main motivation was self-interest and Labor's election prospects.

Despite the different face at the top, nothing has changed - same factional warlords calling the shots, same Labor arrogance and incompetence, same problems facing families and business across NSW.

Where was the public's opportunity to have a say in who would be the next State Premier?  For the second time in 15 months - and just two and half years since the last election - you were denied any opportunity to have a say.

Earlier this year I announced that a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government would examine the option of 'recall' elections for NSW.

Recall elections - which apply in 18 US States and in British Columbia, Canada - provide the community with a means of forcing an early election.

It increases accountability, offer a safeguard against political abuse by government and can help restore confidence back into the political system.

The idea of being forced to an election by the community would provide government - even this NSW Labor Government - with the incentive to perform throughout the entire four-year term and not just in the months leading up to an election.

A recall election was the mechanisms that allowed Arnold Schwarzenegger to become Governor of California in 2003.

I believe a NSW recall provision is worth considering and debating.

In government, the NSW Liberal & Nationals intend to appoint an independent panel of constitutional experts to advise on the appropriateness and best model of introducing a recall election provision in NSW, including putting the matter to referendum at either the 2012 council or 2015 State election.

Let me know what you think about the proposal by commenting on Facebook, leave a comment at "Have Your say" or sign the early election petition at www.startthechange.com.au.

 

Posted by editor at 8:02 AM EADT

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Mood:  accident prone

There's a harsh view across the land that Tony Abbott is not a Liberal Party leader but defacto Conservative Party man. We spied this in downtown Windsor yesterday and with a bit of magic paint altered "Bob and Dot" to ......

Posted by editor at 10:50 AM EADT

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Mood:  not sure

Depressingly we read a policy wonk in her team state - might have been via 'journo' (hyperbole merchant) Carty in Sun Herald - 'there will be no green gums, blue gums or whatever colour' under the Keneally regime. Whether that means post last Cabinet of Rees to protect redgum forests we don't know

Posted by editor at 9:18 AM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 9 December 2009 9:20 AM EADT

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