March Politics in the Pub – Carbon Pricing
‘Renewable Energy or Just Less Money for Beer’ was the question that animated the discussion at Climate Action Moreland’s first Politics in the Pub for 2011. Views in Climate Action Moreland have been mixed on this most hotly of debated issues, proving that we do represent a broad cross section of Morelandian society!
We are all united on the need for urgent climate action however, and so the debate was focussed on whether or not carbon pricing would be effective to actually start to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While some of the discussion considered the more technical aspects of carbon pricing, many people also added their thoughts on the political implications of either choosing to implement a carbon price now or whether we should wait for more clear alternatives.
What do you think about carbon pricing? Tell us your thoughts.
If we don’t get the carbon price, will Tony Abbott be elected? If we do, will this mean that we see no more action on climate in Australia, even though the carbon price will not significantly drive down emissions in its current form?
Meet the Team: Mr Simon Nelson come on down
Simon Nelson is one of the two bald Britishers that rips it up for Climate Action Moreland. He’s about the head for to Europe – overland, that’s without any plane travel whatsoever. Check out Simon’s blog at takethelowroad.net, and learn about how you too can rid your life of airplanes.
1 Likes
Beer, dancing, football (that’s soccer to you), Imogen and saving the world
2 Dislikes
Shallow people, capitalism.
3 What do you do?
- For money: work for a company who’s products contribute 7% of Australia’s carbon dioxide emissions
- For love: trying to stop the activities of my employers and all the rest of them
4 What do you like about Moreland?
Beer, food, vibe and the highest per capita concentration of beards and fixed geared bicycles in the world.
5 What do you do in Climate Action Moreland?
Politics in the Pub is my main things, which kind of compliments my likes.
6 What’s your biggest fear about Climate Change?
That we don’t get it together to stop it before it is too late
7 What action would you like to see happen on Climate Change?
A transformation of society so that we treat the earth as our home rather than something to be exploited
8 Funniest CAM story?
Fun? Saving the world is no laughing matter.
9 What have you done to live a more sustainable life?
Doing less with less, riding my bike, growing our own food, trying to eat less meat and not flying, holding my farts in.
10 What do you like about CAM?
The fantastic inspiring people who devote their lives to saving the planet.
11 If you had a million dollars what would you do with it?
Have a party a very big one
12 If you were the leader of the world what’s the first thing you’d do?
Ask for a recount
13 What song would you like played at your funeral?
The Internationale
14 Which dead person would you most like to have a drink with?
Andrew Bolt, wishful thinking maybe
15 Red or Blue?
Red all the way. Come on united!!!!
16 What keeps you awake at night?
Trapped wind
17 What’s are you reading at the moment?
The Merchants of doubt
18 Where is your favourite place to eat.
The Napier in Fitzroy, best roo in Melbourne
19 What’s your favourite drink?
Locally brewed beer
New Meeting Schedule
We have now moved to meeting fortnightly.
Due to Easter our next meeting will be
Tuesday 12th May
6:30 Radical Grocery
6 Wilson Avenue, Brunswick
A list of the next few meetings can be found here
Politics in the Pub – Carbon Price
Climate Action Moreland presents
Politics in the Pub
Carbon Price: Creating a renewable energy future or just less money for beer?
There are a range of views within Climate Action Moreland about the governments proposal for a carbon price. Come join us in the pub for a lively community discussion of the pros and cons of the carbon tax.
6.30pm 22 March
Edinburgh Castle (cnr Albion St and Sydney Road),
CAM drinks – Sunday 30 Jan
This year, CAM’s 2011 drinks has been organised to coincide with Transition Brunswick‘s picnic! It will be great to meet others who are interested and involved in making our lifestyles and neighbourhoods more resilient and sustainable.
- Sunday 30 Jan, 3pm
- Warr Park – next to Brunswick Neighbourhood House (near cnr Albion & De Carle Sts)
Protest at Jane Garrett’s campaign office
Honk for real action on climate change
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Volunteers from CAM met outside Jane Garrett’s campaign office last Tuesday, to highlight Labor’s poor record on climate change action. Sydney Road Commuters were treated to the spectacle of a huge smoke stack and placards spelling out Labor’s “dirty little election secret” – A new coal fired power station in the Latrobe Valley.
There was also a sign prompting drivers to ‘Honk for real action on climate change’. I was personally surprised at the rate of honks, smiles and well wishes that came from the drivers. You could even see a few passengers lean across the driver to honk the horn on their behalf.
It was a very positive experience with dozens of cyclists ringing their bells in harmony with car horns and a fire engine that let out a massive blast as the crew returned to base.
So positive an experience was it that CAM are returning this Tuesday for more honking. So if you want an opportunity to tell hundreds of Morelanders about Labor’s addiction to coal in a really empowering way – come along.
Details:
5-6:15pm, Tuesday 23rd November
Jane Garrets Campaign Office, 175 Sydney Road
Contact Jody for more details.
The Electric Boogalo Shuffle
As anyone who follows these pages regularly would know, Victoria has a lot of Brown Coal. We dig massive holes the size of towns so can we burn it to heat water to make steam which makes our electricity. We also have plans to dig even more of it up so we can get other countries to burn it on our behalf. And if that doesn’t work we’ll bury it underground again after we’ve burnt it so we can continue to dig crater like holes in the Victorian countryside.
In fact – rather then withering on a vine Victoria’s brown coal industry looks like it might be set for a new vintage. The Age recently reported that a Transport Department submission revealed a possible $24 billion could be invested in brown coal over the next decade. (more…)
Photos from the Replace Hazelwood Rally
These photos were taken at the Rally to Replace ALL of Hazelwood that happened on Saturday 6th November 2010.
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5,000 protesters gathered at the steps of the State Library on Swanston Street and walked peacefully to Parliament House. The message, to urge all political parties in the lead up to the State election on 27th November to commit to replace Hazelwood power station, the countries worst polluting power station, in the next term of government with renewable energy.
What does a white paper, a green premier and a yellow government have in common?
Taking Action one report at a time
The Brumby government recently released its Climate Change White Paper, The Action Plan, to much fanfare and praise. Media outlets lauded the plan with headlines like “Brumby lays down gauntlet on carbon” and “Premier’s bold plan on climate takes lead”. Yet those with long memories may well remember another Victorian labor climate announcement that was also the toast of the town.
Back in June 2002 the Bracks government unveiled its Victorian Greenhouse Strategy (VGS). Media releases of the time promised that the strategy would “reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by five to eight million tonnes by 2010”. It would “position Victoria to prosper in a future carbon constrained economy” and “a number of drivers are now in place that will lead to an increased take-up… in the renewable energy sector over the next decade”.
In 2002 our total emissions were 120.5 million tonnes (Mt). The most recent data from the government shows in 2008 that the State’s emissions were 119 Mt and in 2006 were at an all time high of 126 Mt. That’s a long way from the promises laid down in the VGS. (more…)
A new coal fired power station for Victoria?
Premier Brumby must be an unhappy man right now. Less than two months after he announces his commitment to reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, Chinese owned company HRL fronts up to the Environment Protection Authority asking for it to approve their ‘syngas’ coal fired power station in Morwell in the La Trobe valley.
For Brumby, kicking the coal habit is seeming a hard thing to do
The HRL proposal has been on the table for years and the Victorian government has committed $50 million to the project. Officially it’s clean coal technology, because the power station will burn natural gas to turn brown coal into synthetic gas. (more…)
