saveeumundi.org

Hi Everyone

I hope everyone had a good break and now ready for the new year.  2009 will be a very busy year for SCEC particularly leading up to the Queensland State Election.  SCEC will be working hard to ensure that all parties and candidates are aware of our key environmental issues for the Sunshine Coast and beyond.   We will be developing a position around these issues and in particular we will be focussing on climate change, biodiversity, water and other aspects of sustainability such as waste, renewable energy, development and population growth.

Of course the iconic World Environment Day will be held again this year.  Further details will be forthcoming.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation will be a top priority this year.  We are continuing to see the devastating impacts of climate change such as severe storms, flooding and storm surges.  Let’s make 2009 the year we turned the tide of climate change.

We look forward to your continued support of SCEC’s agenda and activities in the coming year.

Regards
Narelle McCarthy
Manager

Campaigns – Biodiversity

Bob Irwin to assist Coast Conservation Group with release of endangered Turtles – see attached

Wildlife Online
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) wildlife database contains recorded wildlife sightings and listings of plants, fungi, protists, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, marine cartilaginous fish and butterflies in Queensland.  There is so much information on this website, and well worth a visit.  There’s an A-Z of wildlife which identifies fauna by its common and scientific names, Environmental Management, Parks and Forests (which also includes great walks), Nature Conservation, Cultural Heritage, etc., etc.  Go to:  http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/wildlife_online/

The Living Planet Report
“The recent downturn in the global economy is a stark reminder of the consequences of living beyond our means. But the possibility of financial recession pales in comparison to the looming ecological credit crunch.”

What can we learn from the current economic crisis?  The Living Planet Report 2008 tells us that we are consuming the resources provided by the Earth’s natural systems much faster than they can be replenished.   Just as reckless spending is causing recession, so reckless consumption is depleting the world’s natural capital to a point where we are endangering our future prosperity. Our demands on natural systems continue to escalate, driven by the relentless growth in human population and in individual consumption. Our global footprint now exceeds the world’s capacity to regenerate by about 30 per cent. If our demands on the planet continue at the same rate, by the mid-2030s we will need the equivalent of two planets to maintain our lifestyles.

http://assets.panda.org/downloads/living_planet_report_2008.pdf

Wildlife Care
With increasing pressure of urbanisation on wildlife in the region, please give injured wildlife every chance of survival by contacting the Australian Wildlife Hospital http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/wildlife_hospital  1300 369 652

Or the wonderful WILVOs Hotline – 5441 6200

Global warming / Climate change

The government’s weak emissions target
The Australian government let us all down in December when it announced its ridiculous plan to reduce carbon emissions by only 5% – 15%.  This was a cowardly action in which the Rudd Government did not take responsibility for Australia’s large carbon emissions or show global solidarity on the issue.  This very weak target ignores any scientific advice put forth by Ross Garnaut, the IPCC, key environmental groups and the general public, which urged the government to reduce emissions by 25-40% by 2020 in order to get the global carbon dioxide concentrations down to 450ppm.

According to scientific modelling anything less than a 25% cut in emissions by 2020 by developed nations like Australia would set the world on a course that is likely to result in catastrophic impacts on our natural environment.  A temperature rise of two degrees or more would mean the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef, significant loss of species and the decline of the agricultural value of the Murray Darling Basin.

The International Panel on Climate Change tells us if we can reduce our emissions now, we will limit the extent of temperature rise, and reduce the impacts on the environment and our way of life in the future.  The time for action is now.  We must act together to let the government know that we won’t stand by and watch them condemn our precious environment or our future.

Let the Government know that this decision is unacceptable and the emissions target must be revisited. Phone or visit your MP, write to a newspaper, call talk back radio, send a letter to Kevin Rudd and encourage your friends and family to do likewise.  Or get involved with the Climate Action Summit in Canberra, the weekend before the first day of the 2009 Federal Parliament: 31st January – 2nd February 2009.  Fore more information, visit: http://www.climatesummit.org.au/

Evidence of global warming on the Sunshine Coast
The recent onslaught of sand erosion, storm surges and king tides on the coast is a clear example of what is expected in times of climate change.  The probability of extreme weather will increase with climate change, posing severe risks of flooding to our coastal and low-lying areas.  Past development on the coast has taken place without much thought of extreme climatic events.  Today we are witnessing the effects of this careless development on low-lying areas, such as around river mouths.  As more and more development is occurring on our floodplains, the effects of flooding are becoming more severe and inevitable as there is nowhere else for the floodwater to go.  Local and state governments need to take this seriously when planning for future developments and reject any applications for further residential, industrial or infrastructural development on floodplains.  As a preventative measure, more focus is necessary on how Coast communities can adapt to the unpredictable extreme weather brought about by climate change and withstand future flood events.

Clean / Green energy

Addressing climate change means more jobs, stronger economy
A new report by CSIRO, Allen Consulting and ACF for the Dusseldorp Skills Forum has found that if Australia takes significant action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, national employment will still increase by between 2.6 million and 3.3 million over the next two decades. The report, growing the Green Collar Economy, identifies the employment impact of action to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and examines the skills, training and workforce implications. Demand for new skills will be most pressing in renewable energy and in the design and construction of green buildings and in manufacturing and maintaining cleaner vehicles and transport systems. Jobs in sectors that are currently high carbon emitters, like transport, manufacturing and construction are also expected to grow and will need to be turned into ‘green collar’ jobs in a clean economy.

25% Renewable Energy by 2020
The global economic crisis is no excuse for the government to disregard climate change and transition to renewable energy.  If the 25% renewable energy target by 2020 was introduced, Australia would not only fight climate change, but would deliver at least 16,600 new jobs for Australians, generate $33 billion in new investment and create enough renewable electricity to power every home in Australia.  This legislated renewable energy target would see Australia join the global clean energy revolution. More than 17,000 Australians are already employed in renewable energy or energy efficiency, despite the lack of government support for these industries. A 25% target would increase the number of clean energy jobs to over 33,000.   For further reading, download the paper A comprehensive plan for 25% renewable energy by 2020.

Sustainability

Life on the Edge is challenging Australians to get outdoors and accumulate 100km of any non-motorised activity, or 10hrs in the water, over the entire summer.

Sustainable Living Workshops at the Garden of Eatin’ Eudlo
Permaculture Pathways offers a series of practical workshops to give you the skills and confidence to start growing your own organic food at home and living more sustainable.

Workshops include:
Composting, worm farming, getting started in organic vegie growing, natural backyard chook care, introduction to permaculture, permaculture in the community and much, much more.

For further details, or to register your interest, e-mail:  permaculturepathways@yahoo.com.au

General / The environment

Transition Town Training
Transition Sunshine Coast is offering Transition Town workshops in Feb/March and possible April, May if the demand is there.
To read what “Transition Town Training” is all about, see attached [Transition Town Training.doc]

HOT OFF THE PRESS – OUR MAROOCHY!!!
After 7 years in the making, Maroochy Waterwatch Inc in partnership with Mike Middleton, On Camera and Kate O’Reilly and with support from Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Maroochy River Recovery initiative, proudly offers ‘Our Maroochy’. This 288 page Coffee Table book is a compilation of breathtaking imagery of the Maroochy River from the headwaters to the river mouth, presenting the river as sacred and sublime, used and abused, and a much loved treasure for residents and visitors of the Sunshine Coast. Currently this book is the largest and most photographed work on the Maroochy ever.  By buying this book, you can express your concern for the River and help support Maroochy Waterwatch to improve and protect the values of the Maroochy River. To order our book, click on the Order Form attached or call in person to Maroochy Waterwatch office.

Dates for your diary

If you would like your event to be included here, details will need to be with us at least 3 weeks prior to the event so that they can be included (small files please – many flyer files are too large to be included.  If a link to a website is available, let us know).

Save our Icons BBQ 24-26 January 2009
Over the Australia Day weekend, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) will be joining with people all over the country in holding nationwide sustainable BBQs. These events will provide the opportunity to celebrate the special places we love and our famous Aussie lifestyle while also acknowledging that many of these very things are under threat from climate change.

Check out how you can participate at:
http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=2122&eid=3005002

Frog Workshops

The workshops will be given by Vaughn Nash and are supported by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

Workshops will be held on:
Monday 9thFebruary 2009 6pm (almost full!)
Monday 23rd February 2009 at 6pm at the Hidden Valley Golf Course, end of Solandra St, Nambour. RSVP’s essential as places are limited via return e- mail or Phone Maroochy Waterwatch on 54 764 777.

Please ensure you wear sturdy shoes and bring a torch.
info@maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au
www.maroochycatchmentcentre.org.au

The Living Smart Program

Come along and celebrate Council’s launch of the Living Smart Program in Caloundra.  This program aims to let people know how to reduce their ecological footprint and household carbon emissions.  It also gives residents the chance to act locally on global issues and help build sustainable communities.

When: Thursday 12 February, from 7-9pm

Where: the Beausang Room, Caloundra Events Centre, 20 Minchinton St., Caloundra.

To reserve your place, RSVP by 6 Feb to Simone O’Keefe on 5420 8947 (b/h) or email simone.okeefe@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. Further information on the Living Smart program is available on the Living Smart website.

Free tours of Sunshine Coast Recycling Centre

Come along on 7 February, from 9 to11 am, to find out if you are using the right bin for your waste. Join the tour and discover ways to make your household more sustainable.

The Environmental Education Centre and Material Recovery Facility is located at Cooney Road, Nambour.  Bookings are essential.  Please make your reservation by phoning 5475 8501.

Narelle McCarthy
Manager

info@scec.org.au