Author Archive
State of the Climate 2022 and the Victorian Election
The Bureau of meteorology and CSIRO released on Wednesday the latest State of the Climate Report.
It outlines in stark detail many of the climate impacts we are already seeing with bushfires and floods, and extreme heat. This affects our economy, society and environment. We now live in the Age of Consequences.
As people go to vote this week and Saturday they should consider these impacts and the candidates and parties they are voting for. Who has the most ambitious climate targets?, who has detailed climate action plans to reduce emissions? and plans for climate adaptation to deal with the problems already baked in?.
Climate Action Merribek has assessed candidates for the electorates of Brunswick, Pascoe Vale and Broadmeadows. We urge you to preference those candidates who have signed the Climate Emergency Declaration and the Forest Pledge and have committed to increasing climate action.
(more…)Broadmeadows candidates support climate emergency #vicvotes2022
Candidates | Forums | Scorecards | UpperHouse | Climate Emergency Declarations | Forest Pledges
The 2022 State election date is Saturday November 26.
Pascoe Vale candidates support climate emergency declaration #Vicvotes2022
Candidates | Forums | Scorecards | Upper House | Climate Emergency Declarations | Forest Pledges
The 2022 State election date is Saturday November 26.
Brunswick candidates support climate emergency declaration #Vicvotes2022
Candidates | Forums | Scorecards | Upper House | Climate Emergency Declarations
The 2022 State election date is Saturday November 26
Greater Glider photobombs Wills MP over continued logging in Victorian Native forests at Fawkner Festa
A Greater glider puppet photobombed Federal MP Peter Khalil (Wills) and Kathleen Matthews-Ward – (Broadmeadows ALP candidate) at the Fawkner Festa. Climate activists argue that Logging of native forests is criminal in a climate emergency. The science is clear: Stopping native forest logging is key to getting to net zero argue Australian National University Scientists.
Sometimes you need to be a little cheeky to get a point across.
The Greater glider is a threatened species living in the old growth native forests of Victoria. They would like logging of native forests to end by 2024 at the latest, not 2030. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek up-listed the southern and central Greater Glider species as endangered in a determination reported 9 July 2022.
The Victorian Labor Government has set an end to logging in native forests at 2030, but scientists and activists argue this needs to happen as soon as possible and no later than 2024. According to the science, forest ecosystems are facing collapse, species are facing rapid decline and possible extinction. This is an active issue in the Victorian state election which the Labor Party is not addressing. On a Federal level, review and updating the EPBC Act is important for ensuring logging has to go through the same threatened species assessment as other industries and dump the Regional Forestry Agreement process.
(more…)Candidate Forums for Brunswick and Pascoe Vale #Vicvotes2022
- Brunswick Electorate Candidates Forum 20 October
- Pascoe Vale Electorate Online Transport Forum 26 October
- Pascoe Vale District Climate and Sustainability Candidates Forum 9 November
- Merri-bek Transport forum 4 October.
The Victorian State election is on Saturday 26 November. The electoral roll closes 8pm Tuesday 8 November. Nominations for independent candidates close 12 noon 11 November. Early voting opens Monday 14 November. Refer: VEC website.
(more…)For disaster risk reduction we need a National Assessment of Climate Risk and a National Climate Adaptation Plan
While we continue to experience disastrous Flood events in Victoria, New South Wales and northern Tasmania, reflect that October 13, was International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction as declared by the United Nations.(1)
With this flood event in Victoria more than 500 homes have been damaged and a further 500 cut off by the extensive flooding, while thousands of homes have been left without power. Thousands of people have been under evacuation orders across the three states reports the ABC. The flooding of farmland in regional areas will destroy crops and may impact food prices.
We need the Federal Government to order a National Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, followed by the development of a National Adaptation Plan to address the climate driven extreme weather disasters.
(more…)Merribek NGOs advocate for Australian climate commitments for COP27
The following statement was sent to Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen and Federal MP for Wills Peter Khalil on 9 October 2022 urging them to adopt commitments regarding the Global methane Pledge, climate finance and rejoining the Green Climate Fund, to take to the UN climate conference COP27.
We look like already achieving a partial win on this. On 13 October Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said on Radio National that Australia is considering signing the Global Methane Pledge, reports the Guardian.
(more…)Forum on Transport issues for Merribek for 2022 #vicvotes state election
Local Candidates for the 2022 state election discussed transport issues for Brunswick and the northern region in a forum organised by The Metropolitan Transport Forum and hosted by the City of Merri-bek at Brunswick Town Hall on 4 October 2022.
Some of the local issues discussed included:
- frequency and reliability of trains on the Upfield Line and the need to duplicate and extend the line;
- better bus services especially on Sundays;
- more level access tram stops to boost accessibility for all;
- safe cycling and provision of local protected cycling infrastructure.
- Refurbishment of Sydney Road to increase safety and liveability for all users
- Brunswick Level Crossing Removal
Climate and sustainability Comment on Council agenda 10 August 2022
Our comment on Moreland (Merri-Bek) Council agenda for 10 August 2022, sent to all Councillors.
Dear Councillors,
There are a few agenda items of significance at Council meeting in August. Two deal with improving cycling infrastructure, one with advocacy for improving public transport (buses) as part of a northern region assessment. These three agenda items are important for addressing transport emissions in Moreland.
Transport is about 16 percent of Moreland’s community emissions profile, with automotive emissions being 12 percent. (Refer Snapshot July 2019-June 2020 https://snapshotclimate.com.au/locality/municipality/australia/victoria/moreland/2019/fy )
The Councillor NOM on a Council policy on surfaces for sportsfields and open spaces is also important for climate and sustainability considerations.
(more…)
Climate Action Merribek: people in Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner and Glenroy wanting action on climate change 