Carbon Equity- Ration the Future

Why ration the future?
We all face a global warming emergency. Climate change science tells us that feedback mechanisms are driving us towards catastrophic climate change, requiring rapid cuts in carbon emissions. The idea of carbon rationing is a better response than carbon taxes, and here's how it will work .  Very interesting, tell us what you think....

Sun goes down on solar schools

October 16, 2009 - Article from: The Australian

THE Rudd government's $480 million "national solar schools" program was quietly suspended yesterday afternoon via a notice posted on the popular scheme's website.
"The National Solar Schools Program has been suspended to any new claims in 2009-10. This suspension takes effect as of 3:00pm 15 October 2009," the notice said.
A spokesman for Environment Minister Peter Garrett, who did not formally announce the program's closure, said 1300 schools had been approved under the program last year and 500 had already been approved this financial year, with another 700 "still in the pipeline for assessment".
Those 700 would be funded if eligible, and additional money made available if required.
But no more applications will now be considered until next financial year.
Announcing the program in July 2008, Mr Garrett said "the Rudd Labor government wants every Australian school -- primary, secondary, public and private -- to have the opportunity to become a 'solar school' and the commencement of this half-a-billion dollar program delivers on our election commitment."
"... Industry too will benefit from the program from the $480 million federal funding injection, creating increased demand for large solar power systems for school roofs," Mr Garrett said at the time.
The suspension is the latest in a series of changes and cuts to government solar programs, including the introduction of a means test on the household solar panel rebate and the ending of the remote solar program.
Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt said it was "amazing that this government can waste $16billion on unwanted school halls but suspend a key solar program that every school appears to want".
The program has already hit implementation hurdles with NSW's centralised tendering process meaning no school had installed panels more than a year after the program started, and many schools running into problems hooking their panels into the power grid.
Mr Garrett's spokesman said the Department of the Environment would contact every school registered under the program as well as those with applications on hand to advise of the suspension until next year.
Under the program schools were eligible for up to $50,000 to install solar power systems, or energy efficiency spending on items such as lighting, fans or awnings. Rainwater tanks, small wind turbines, small hydro power generators and skylights were also eligible.

We wonder just how serious is this Labor government about fostering and developing an energy-descent mindset in our children ?

Newsflash: Ireland bans GM

Ireland will ban growing of GM crops, and a voluntary GM-free label can be placed on all animal products (such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, crustaceans, and dairy) that are raised with GM-free feed, according to a GM-Free Ireland press release. Ireland joins Japan and Egypt as one of the few but growing number of countries that have banned the cultivation of GM crops.

GM-Free Ireland Co-ordinator, Michael O'Callaghan:
"The WTO's economic globalization agenda has forced most Irish farmers to enter an unwinnable race to the bottom for low quality GM-fed meat and dairy produce, in competition with countries like the USA, Argentina and Brazil which can easily out-compete us with their highly subsidized GM crop monocultures, cheap fossil fuel, extensive use of toxic agrochemicals that are not up to EU standards, and underpaid migrant farm labor.
The Irish Government plan to ban GM crops and to provide a voluntary GM-free label for qualifying animal produce makes obvious business sense for our agri-food and eco-tourism sectors. Everyone knows that US and EU consumers, food brands and retailers want safe GM-free food, and Ireland is ideally positioned to deliver the safest, most credible GM-free food brand in Europe, if not the world."
This is good news for Irish farmers, and also good news for the expanded market outside Ireland - the U.S.A. imports large amounts of Irish dairy products. Now if only we could see the same kind of bipartisan strong action here in Australia...
Story via  Treehugger

Moreton Energy Coal Project

An earlier blog posting identified the company Lodestone as having  bought farm-in agreements on three EPCs.  The company's Annual Report shows that they have purchased an additional EPC and are in the process of approval for another one.

WATCH THIS SPACE ...

Australia's CPRS Breaching International Obligations

The low levels of ambition demonstrated by the proposed CPRS legislation have been
widely condemned. The target range of between 5 and 15% reduction below 2000 levels
by 2020, (rising to 25% in the event of international agreement) falls unacceptably
below world standards, with the current international negotiating range for developed
countries falling between at least 25% and at least 45% below 1990 (a lower base year
than the Australian commitment) levels by 2020 according to the revised negotiating
text prepared for Copenhagen in June 2009.3 This represents an increase of 5% in the
upper end of the range of 25-40% that was agreed upon by the Ad Hoc Working Group
on Further Commitments for Annex 1 Parties under the Kyoto Protocol in 20084,informed by
IPPC 4th Assessment Report of 2007. It is noted that this range does not take into account lifestyle
changes which have the potential to considerably increase this range.

On an analysis of the legal texts, combined with the critical mass of scientific evidence
and international momentum, ClientEarth advises that the current target range
proposed in the CPRS Bill leaves Australia open to allegations of breach of its
international legal obligations under articles 4, 5 and possibly 6 of the World
Heritage Convention (WHC) and article 4 of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Targets also have a significant bearing on
Australia’s ability to discharge its obligations under other instruments of international law
such as the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992.

(extracted from "Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Legislation – International Comparative Analysis"). To read the full document click here .

Face Up To Climate Change at the Beaudesert Markets

The branch had a stall at the Beaudesert Markets last Saturday and while we didn't get as many people sign up for photos as we'd have liked it was still an enjoyable morning and we had interesting conversations with some local residents.

Coal Or Food

Greens senator Scott Ludlam has just posted a very poignant entry on his blogspot.  It's to do with the preservation of this nation's food bowl which encompasses the whole of the Murray-Darling basin and the fight to stop the impending coal mines being approved by the Queensland and New South Wales  state governments.   This post is well worth a read and there are several supporters groups websites listed at the bottom of his post.

International Day of Climate Action, October 24th

Saturday October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action.  350ppm (parts per million) is the acceptable level for carbon in the atmosphere to mitigate uncontrollable climate change.  We are already at 385.92 ppm.  There are numerous events and actions being organised for this day across the world.  Click here to join an event or start an event in your area.

The Boonah-Beaudesert Greens had a stall at the Lead On Sustainability Expo on Sunday 25th which was held in Jubilee Park at Beaudesert. Our 350 photo is below.

Senate Preselection Candidates attend AGM

Wednesday night 30th September had some pretty lively discussions going on in the RSL rooms at Boonah. The three QLD Greens senate pre-selection candidates were in attendance at the Boonah-Beaudesert Branch monthly meeting.  It's always good to put faces to names and we were very appreciative of the effort undertaken by them to be there on the night.  We thank the ladies for their stimulating and engaging discussions.  Front Row (candidates) : Libby Connors, Jenny Stirling and Larissa Waters.  Back Row : Mark Manning and Andy Grodecki

Solar power FeedIn Tarriff petition and supporters forum launched

The FeedInTarfiff.com.au petition was originally instigated and developed by Energy Matters on behalf of the many people in Australia who firmly believe a better deal is needed to increase solar power uptake.

On June 24, 2009 Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, tabled the petition to Parliament. We are continuing to collect signatures until such time a gross FiT is finally rolled out. Click here to access the petition. Petition .
A forum has been developed by Energy Matters where information relating to all aspects solar is available and can be discussed. Energy Matters  .

Genetically Modified Rice - Sign the petition

Rice is daily food for half of the world's population. Genetically modified (GM) rice, on the other hand, is a threat to our agriculture, our biodiversity and a possible risk to our health.
At present, GM rice is not grown commercially anywhere in the world. But Bayer, the German chemical giant, has genetically manipulated rice to withstand higher doses of a toxic pesticide called glufosinate, which is considered to be so dangerous to humans and the environment that it will soon be banned from Europe.

In just a few weeks, the European Union will decide whether or not this GM rice can enter EU countries, appear on supermarket shelves and end up on our dinner plates. If the EU approves the import of Bayer GM rice, farmers in the US and elsewhere may soon start planting it.  Click here to sign the global petition. Hands Off Our Rice

New resident at Barney View

Speaking of koalas, two Greens members have finally seen a result - after 23 years of planting koala trees on our nine-acre block at Barney View, we finally have sighted a koala, at eight o'clock yesterday morning, moving across the ground to climb a gum-topped box!

He (or she) says thank you to Mary for all the years of nurturing the trees!

Barney View revegetation

In early August a large number of local residents met at the Barney View Uniting Church to discuss the possibility of rehabilitating and regenerating an area on the corner of Mt. Barney Road and Barney View Road. There was great enthusiasm for the project and Helen Piech was elected as chairman and John Allen was as secretary-treasurer.

Permission has been granted for Corrective Services to provide labour for the project, which will be essential for the project to go forward. We are very grateful for Flip Jenyns' activity in this regard.

Beaudesert Landcare has agreed to sponsor the project and is applying to the Scenic Rim Council for an environmental grant to begin the first stage. It is expected that the project will take a few years to complete and then there will be on-going maintenance which we expect to be provided by Corrective Services. The grant application is to be submitted by 18 September.

Michael Anderson from Scenic Rim Council and Keith McCosh have visited the site several times and have offered valuable insights and advice.

Janet Hauser, botanist and artist, has visited the site and provided a list of plants endemic to the Barney View area. Only plants from this list will be planted.

This is an exciting project for Barney View and we'll keep you posted on this blog with updates and photos of the progress.

Many thanks to the people of the Palen Creek Correctional Centre for their help, and to Janet Hauser for her time and expertise. Thanks also to Helen Piech, John and Leith Allen and Elaine Reid for their preparation and for providing morning tea to the workers, and finally to Beaudesert Landcare and the officers from the Scenic Rim Council.

Save Our Koalas Rally - Friday 25 September

We are all interested in protecting our wildlife and their essential habitat. Action to protect the koala from extinction locally is needed NOW.  Please consider how you can support or participate at the rally - individually or as a group or perhaps some local action - with photos sent to local papers? Consider sending rally alert to all your friends and networks!!  If you can't attend in person - perhaps you can send an email to   premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au. URBAN EXPANSION = KOALA EXTINCTION

Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan

The Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan constitutes the formal national regional recovery plan for threatened species and communities of the Border Ranges North and South (Queensland and New South Wales) Biodiversity Hotspot. The Plan considers the conservation requirements of rainforest and closely related species and communities in the Border Ranges region of NSW and Queensland, which is centred on the McPherson Ranges. It also addresses other species of conservation significance so as to manage the area's biodiversity in a holistic and cost-effective manner.


The Plan identifies the actions to be taken to ensure the long-term viability of the threatened and significant species of the rainforest and related vegetation of the Border Ranges Hotspot. Whilst submissions for this plan have closed it is still very interesting reading.

Draft SEQ Climate Change Management Plan submissions closing October 9.

Due to public demand, the Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning has extended public consultation on the Draft South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan by four weeks to 5 pm on Friday 9 October 2009.

Have your say on the Draft South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan. The draft plan contains proposed planning actions to reduce the region's greenhouse gas emissions and help it become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.  To view the plan and how find out how to make submission visit the government website http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/climatechange

Quarry Vision

Some important facts about the Australian coal mining industry and it's relationship to our economy.

• Mining's share of GDP in 2007-08 was 8%. Factor in minerals processing, metals production, services to mining and the fossil-energy sector and the Australian quarry accounts for less than 15% of GDP. Export of coal only comprises 4% of this figure.
• Mining accounts for around 1.3% of employment during a boom. Bunnings employs almost one-and-a-half times as many people as the entire aluminium industry.
• Australia's mining companies and energy producers are majority foreign-owned so most of their profits go offshore. BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Xstrata and Anglo Coal are the biggest players in the coal industry and all are majority foreign-owned.
• We provide less than 1% of China's coal, and most of that goes to steel mills rather than power stations.
• If we're to judge objectively what the quarry contributes we really ought to subtract the various subsidies paid out by governments. Mining, metals and energy industries enjoy billions of dollars in tax breaks, fuel excise rebates, cheap electricity contracts, royalty holidays and infrastructure. The taxpayer provides some $9 billion annually in energy and transport subsidies. The resources sector is a very significant taxpayer, but one way or another, much of the money that the quarry industries contribute returns to them by a different route.
• Did you know..... That the annual greenhouse gas reductions from changing 20 million incandescent light bulbs to energy saving fluorescents is completely negated by the Queensland coal industry in 32 hours?

Countries around the world are setting ambitious targets for changing their energy mix.  Not only are they  funding the development of cost-effective renewables but they are also legislating at local, state and federal levels to encourage investment and innovation.  This will result in a profound change in the world's energy mix and 'dirty' coal will be squeezed out of the market.

View the Greens policies on energy at http://qld.greens.org.au/election/policy/climate-change-and-energy

The Power Of Your Dollar

You might think that you as an individual can do little to change ... well... anything.  The truth is that your spending can influence what products are stocked at your supermarket, how they are packaged and their content.  If you stop buying imported fresh produce (citrus, grapes and garlic just to name a few) importers will stop importing it.  Modifying your purchasing behaviour can go a long way to keeping our farmers on viable land and reducing the food miles that the produce has travelled. Buy only Australian seasonal produce where possible, visit local markets or growers co-ops and see what's in season.  Farmers should be celebrated, supported and rewarded for the role they play in producing our food and managing our natural resources.

Look at the labels on all pre-packaged and processed foods.  Check to see if it contains 'Product of Australia'.  Is it Australian owned ?  If every Australian changed their buying behaviour and spent just $50 each week on wholly owned Australian companies instead of wholly owned foreign companies we could reduce the crippling debt Australia owes by $50 billion a year.  This demand will increase productivity and reduce demand on imports.  (Visit http://ausbuy.com.au/ or http://www.onlyoz.com.au/ ).  Where product has been imported it's a moral imperative to support fair trade initiatives in economically colonised places wherever possible.

Are you worried about GM (Genetically Modified) product entering the food chain through our processed foods ?  It's already there.  Visit http://truefood.org.au/ to find out which manufacturers have publicly declared their content to be GM-Free and those that won't or can't.  

View the Greens policies on food and agriculture at http://qld.greens.org.au/election/policy/food-and-agriculture

Coal Exploration in the Moreton Basin

Most of you would be surprised to learn that three Exploration Permits have recently been granted tenure in the Scenic Rim area. Whilst these permits have been traded and changed hands many times over the years, the current tenure holders are putting up serious money to do some serious exploration.

A joint venture by Lodestone Energy Limited, Moreton Energy Pty Ltd and Orbit Capital Pty Ltd will see exploration drilling commence in three areas of the Scenic Rim. The areas of interest are Veresdale Scrub, Bromelton and Albert River headwaters. The deposit beneath Veresdale Scrub has been estimated at 24 million tonnes. The companies have already intimated that any extractions from this deposit would not be for the domestic market but for export. The coal would need to be moved via a new rail line that would need to cross the Logan Valley somewhere north or south of Beaudesert to the interstate line at Bromelton and onto the Port of Brisbane.

View the Greens policies on resource management at http://qld.greens.org.au/election/policy/climate-change-and-energy

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme - Where to from here ?

With the defeat of the CPRS component and subsequent de-coupling of Renewable Energy Target legislation from the Emissions Trading Scheme, the question is now "where to from here?" Business as usual is not an option....to read the Greens response to global warming and where we think policy should be headed click here. Where To From Here?

Boonah-Beaudesert Greens AGM 2009

The AGM of the Boonah-Beaudesert Greens will be held on Wednesday 30th September at 7.00pm in the RSL Room at the back of the Boonah Cultural Centre.

The evening timetable is as follows


7pm - 7.30 pm AGM

7.30 - 8.30 Two Senate Candidates, Libby Connors and Larissa Waters, will be our special guests. They will each speak for 10 minutes and then will answers questions from the floor. This part of the evening will be open to Greens' supporters as well as members, so please encourage all your Green friends to come along. This will be a great opportunity to find out more about the party and what these ladies plan to do when they hit Canberra!

8.30-9pm Supper. Please bring a plate to share.

9pm A quick general meeting with our new executive.

Contact Us

If you wish to contact us off-line from this blog then please use email address BBGreensIssues@bigpond.com and we will respond as soon as we can.