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How many scientists does it take to change a skeptic?
Tongue in check perhaps, but on Tuesday night (7th of Sept) SBS Insight is a Q&A between renowned climate change scientist Prof Stephen Schneider and an audience full of climate skeptics.Recorded before his untimely death in July, the program promises to be quite interesting. Stephen Schneider had a life long passion for engaging with the public and it will be interesting to see not only if he
Coal seam gas is no solution to climate change
The coal seam gas industry is fond of positioning itself as a solution to climate change. They have managed to convince the Queensland Government of this - Queensland has set a target of 18% of domestic energy to be provided by gas by 2020.
But much like the earlier claims of the fossil fuel industry that so-called 'clean coal' would solve the climate crisis, the arguments about the climate change virtues of coal-seam gas do not stand up to scrutiny. In fact, preliminary research suggests that energy from coal seam gas may be slightly more environmentally damaging than burning coal.
The Week that Was...
Last week you might be forgiven for thinking that the political dead heat in Canberra is only thing happening across the nation. Here are three things of importance to Queenslanders in the areas of transport, Climate Change and water that might have slipped by...
Connecting SEQ 2031
On Tuesday the State Government released its Integrated Transport Plan for SEQ (Connecting SEQ 2013 ). In our view it’s a bold plan but is doomed to disappoint due to its price tag-an estimated $225 billion over 20 years. The main issue is population growth. The plan assumes a 60% increase in the SEQ population in the next 20 years. QCC has asked this question; what would the price be if the plan was based upon a stable population projection? We believe that could halve the price tag and make the integrated transport dream closer to a reality.
How the Green-Farmer Alliance will move Queensland toward sustainability
On Thursday, 2nd September, Six Degrees spokesperson on coal seam gas Drew Hutton addressed the Queensland Rural Press Club in Toowoomba. The Queensland Rural Press Club invited Drew to address its second annual Heritage Toowoomba AgShow breakfast to discover how the farming community and the green movement have found common ground in an era of unprecedented mining and resource exploration and development across some of Queensland’s most productive land. A transcript of the speech is provided here.
September news and events
Spring is here! Whilst we're still without a federal government, we're happy to know that community action is as strong as ever. Make sure you drop into our new Warra campaign office (made possible thanks to the kind donations of all our supporters!) and keep in touch by coming along to an event or two.
August fieldtrip to Dalby Biorefinery
In August 2010, the Agrofuels collective has been travelling around Queensland to research the impact of agrofuel production on the environment. Pictures and resources coming shortly!
Green Ideas and Drinks - Sept 2nd at the Apple Tree
Hi everyone, a reminder for Green Ideas and Drinks on Thursday Sept 2nd.Its a a lovely informal way to hear what others might be doing, share an idea, be inspired and to meet people interested in sustainability.Invite you neighbours and friends for a chat, a coffee or drink and something to eat, perhaps after they have done their shopping or are on their way home from work.Meet you at The Apple
Mitigation, adaptation and misery
Facing climate change we have a choice between mitigation, adaptation and misery. Mitigation is cheaper than adaptation, which is preferable to misery. Likelihood is we’ll get all three but the ratios are for us to decide. In our lives we are happy to pay for mitigation, we try to prevent fires with smoke alarms and ceiling sprinklers and if your house catches on fire you call the fire brigade
The Science of Climate Change: Questions and Answers
The Australian Academy of Science is a prestigious body of Australia's most outstanding scientists. They have just released a short booklet on the science of climate change written by some of Australia's top climate scientists.Scientific Academies tend to be quite conservative, so when they release reports like this you can be confident it is based on well established, consensus science. Highly
MP pleads for the UCG experiment to end
In the Parliament last week, Independent member for Nanango Dorothy Pratt spoke passionately about the impact that the Queensland Government's experiments with underground coal gasification and coal seam gas is having on her constituents. We were so moved by this speech, we thought we'd share it with you.
Transition Kurilpa and Cafe Checocho Permablitz & Cinema space
As part of the 350.org 10/10/10 GLOBAL WORK PARTY we’ll be getting a crew of people together to get hands dirty in a PERMABLITZ (backyard blitz meets permaculture!). Our last one had around 50 people in attendance from all over the city. Get to know neighbours, learn about edible landscapes and permaculture design and instantly reduce emissions from food miles!
Cafe Checocho’s is a vibrant hubs of local artists and musicians serving wholesome food. Understanding the need of ‘community-led action’ on climate change, Checocho’s is opening their backyard to folk who’d like to create an edible garden & expand on the local food movement. This backyard will also function as a community cinema which will be screening educational films and documentaries in the coming months.
On the day we’ll be turfing the turf for plump garden beds, there’ll be music to enjoy, a communal vegetarian meal, new friends to meet, and perhaps even the launch of the community cinema! Bring a trowel & a smile!
Saturday 10 oct 2010 (10/10/10)
Arrive at 10 am for tea/coffee for an 10 am start, finish about 4 or whenever you please
Cafe Checocho, 69 Hardgrave Rd, West End
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Voters left wanting more
As someone relatively new to the green movement, I attended Tuesday evening’s public forum filled with excitement, ready to hear the candidates for the seat of Brisbane debate key environmental priorities. The forum took place at the Bleeding Heart Café. With only five days until the election, this was an opportunity for Teresa Gambaro (Liberal National Party), Arch Bevis (National Labor Party) and Andrew Bartlett (The Australian Greens) to clearly address pollution and climate change, sustainable cities and population, and the environment. Polling has indicated climate change and the environment are high priority issues in most electorates.
We Live In Interesting Times
Federal politics should be more interesting in the next parliament witha far greater focus on environmental and liveability agendas. This is theopportunity for government to build the transformation to a more ecologicallysustainable society.
For Queensland Conservation Council that means:
Urgent Action for a Safe Climate
- We support clean energy, sustainable transport and changed agricultural practices
- We support the transformation to a new green economy
Sustain Healthy River Systems
- We oppose all major new dams and support sustainable water allocation, water sensitive urban design and improved water quality
Protect and Restore Nature on Land and Sea
- We support larger protected areas, marine parks and iconic landscapes like the Great Barrier Reef
Build Sustainable and Liveable Communities
- We support a sustainable level of population, a clean economy, healthy local food and zero waste
- We want to see ecological sustainability as a central principle for our way of life
Click here for more informationon our environmental position
Queensland Mining Minister to face Kingaroy community
Minister Stephen Robinson and Department of Environment and Resource Management Director-General John Bradley will finally face the community of Kingaroy on Wednesday August 25th, to address a public meeting of locals citizens concerned about Cougars Energy’s Underground Coal Gasification project. He will be accompanied by three members of an industry expert panel appointed to assess the impact of the project, and in particular the contamination event that became public in mid-July.
UQ Sustainability Week
Next week UQ Climate for Change are running Sustainability week at UQ, there's lots of good stuff on, so if you are at UQ make sure you check out some of the events.(Click to see large flier)
Six Degrees joins the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance
Six Degrees has recently joined the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance: a national collaboration of organisations and individuals working together towards a food system in which people have the opportunity to choose, create and manage their food supply from paddock to plate.
The purpose of the Alliance is to cooperate to create an equitable, sustainable and resilient food system for all Australians - a cause to which we are deeply committed.
Federal Election Environment Roundup
We've all watched the theatre of the election campaign unfold over the last four weeks and now decision time is nearly upon us.
As a non-party political peak body Queensland Conservation's role in state and federal elections is to get the best possible policy outcomes for our environment from all the parties. This election we have fulfilled that role by;
- forming a consensus election platform for the Queensland environment movement and presenting it to the parties,
- organising one of the largest climate rallies in the country - Sunday's Walk against Warming
- co-hosting candidate environment forums in the electorates of Brisbane and Ryan .
It is our hope that Queenslanders will give appropriate weight to the needs of our environment when they make their decision on Saturday.
We have not produced a scorecard for this election. Click on the links below to view the scorecards from our colleagues at;
For a comprehensive overview of the Science of Climate Change see this recent report from the Australian Academy of Science.
To view images and video from the Walk against Warming click on 'Full Story'
'The Last Hurrah' Ryan Candidates Forum - Wed 18th August
On Saturday August the 21st the nation will vote.On Wednesday August 18th you have one of the last opportunities to meet your local candidates and hear their views on issues important to you. Ryan is one of the most marginal seats in the country and it is important to know the person behind the 30 second sound-bite who will be representing you in Canberra.Who are the 'Real' candidates?What
Walk against Warming 2010 Brisbane
Walk against warming in Brisbane attracts 8000 -10,000 people.
‘Despite growing cynicism about both major political parties since the Copenhagen Summit and the failure of the emissions trading scheme, thousands of people have still turned out to voice their concerns about the future,’ said Toby Hutcheon, Executive Director of Queensland Conservation. ‘We are delighted by the turn-out."
You can view images of the Walk here
Local power's bulk solar panel buying group is back
Local Power, a not for profit group based in Brisbane have a new Solar Panel (PV) buying group going.After over 400 homes and 600kW of power installed in buying groups 1-4, buying group number 5 is now open.The Local Power model is to get a big bunch of householders together and then buy the solar panels and inverters in bulk to keep the costs down. Prices for a 1.5Kw scheme start at around $3700
