UQ Climate for Change
UQ St Lucia Screening – Bimblebox Documentary
This screening is presented by Doctors for the Environment (DEA) and Towards International Medical Equality (TIME).
After a sell out screening in Brisbane in March, Bimblebox is back.
This is a free event. Donations towards to ongoing work to distribute the film will be gratefully accepted on the night.
All welcome.
The documentary, “Bimblebox”, explores the huge Australian coal export industry from the grassroots up. The people at Bimblebox Nature Refuge had the feeling that the harsh reality of the nation’s mining boom was happening behind the backs of most Australians. For them, the experience of intrusive coal exploration is all too real: their nature refuge lies in the path of the world’s largest coal mines.
They decided that the best way to resist the “China First” project that threatens their refuge would be to show Aussies what is happening in our backyard. In 2010 the Bimblebox team heard about an independent filmmaker in the USA and his renowned documentary, Mountaintop Removal. Mike O’Connell’s film was telling the world about resistance to coal mining in Appalachia, West Virginia.
Mike’s new film, Bimblebox, is named for the latest flashpoint in the conflict between coal and ecology in Australia. The story however is bigger that Bimblebox; it’s for anyone who cares about Australia,their health and the health of others, the environment, climate change, and the power of the coal industry. The fate of Bimblebox Nature Refuge is shown in the context of community responses to the massive expansion of coal and coal seam gas mining across the eastern states of Australia.
Are you a social media nut? Blogger or web developer? Passionate about climate and communications? Read on!
UQ Climate for Change are seeking an enthusiastic volunteer (or two) to coordinate our social media presence and online communications.
The Social Media and Web Coordinator plays a crucial role in facilitating communications across UQCfC’s online web platforms (Facebook, Twitter, WordPress blog), and ensuring our members remain up to date with UQCfC’s campaigns and activities.
The role/s would require a commitment of 1-3 hrs per week (depending on whether responsibilities are spread across 1 or 2 volunteers).
Who is UQ Climate for Change?
Since 2007, UQ Climate for Change members have been working to generate systemic changes at UQ that integrate climate change and sustainability throughout the University’s research, teaching, operations and outreach.
Among our achievements is the endorsement of our submission ‘Sustainability at UQ’, and the commitment of the University to sign the Talloires Declaration in 2009.
Our current focus is to ensure the new UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas adheres to the sustainability commitments made so far by the University.
The successful applicant would:
- Coordinate the Facebook page, including the creation of Facebook events, announcement of meetings and news about the groups activities, and posting of 1-2 climate/environmentally related news items per week which are of interest to our members
- Coordinate our Twitter account (can be streamlined with Facebook)
- Manage and updating our website (www.uqclimateforchange.org) when required.
- Bring enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to the role
- Have familiarity with WordPress blogging software/website management (desirable, but not essential – training can be provided).
How do I apply?
Send your expression of interest to Eleanor at uqclimateforchange@gmail.com by 4th May 2012, with a short statement of why you are suited to the role.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Centre for Coal Seam Gas Information Session – for all UQ staff and students
The new UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas will be holding an information session about the Centre’s research and objectives on 16th April 2012, 2.30-4pm in the Riverview Room, Emmanuel College at UQ.
Spaces are limited and registration is compulsory to attend: make sure to RSVP to ccsg@uq.edu.au by 11th April 2012. Questions to be raised at the meeting can also be submitted along with RSVP.
We encourage all UQ staff and students to attend this meeting – in particular anyone who has questions over the Centre’s proposed research activities, the conditionality of it’s $15 million industry funding, its governance structure, and what mechanisms it has implemented to ensure research independence and integrity.
More background and information about UQCfC’s concerns over the CCSG can be found here: http://www.uqclimateforchange.org/uqccsg/
UQ to meet coal seam gas opponents
The UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas will hold an information session on April 16 2012 for UQ staff and students, following requests from UQ Climate for Change from January 2012
By Susan Woodward | 2nd April, 2012 | Campus Review
Bowing to pressure from staff and students, the University of Queensland will hold an information session on a controversial new coal seam gas (CSG) research centre later this month. As reported in Campus Review online last week, funding links between the centre and energy companies have led to campus protests and demands for assurances of research independence and integrity.
Protests over UQ coal seam gas research links
By Susan Woodward | 26th March, 2012 | Campus Review
Funding links between the burgeoning coal seam gas (CSG) industry and the University of Queensland have sparked protests and demands on campus that the university guard its research independence. University staff, the National Union of Students, and a coalition of UQ environmental groups say they are worried millions of dollars from energy companies for a new Centre for Coal Seam Gas will influence the centre’s agenda.
UQ Gets Fracked
UQ students in faux-mining outfits built a life-size ‘gas drill rig’, complete with warning signs, at the centre of St Lucia campus yesterday. Students are calling on the university to make the new industry-funded ‘Centre for Coal Seam Gas’ (CCSG) truly independent amid concerns over industry influence on the Centre’s research agenda.
UQ students are questioning the University's commitment to scientific research integrity amid concerns of industry influence over the Centre for Coal Seam Gas
In November 2011, the University of Queensland announced the establishment of a new centre for research and education focused on coal seam gas. The Centre for Coal Seam Gas (CCSG) aims to be “the pre-eminent global authority on vital issues relating to CSG” (UQ News, November 2011).
The new ‘Centre for Coal Seam Gas’(CCSG) is partly-funded by Queensland Gas Company, Arrow Energy, Santos and the University of Queensland (UQ News, December 2011).
UQ student Abraham O’Neill said, “Increasingly large numbers of students and staff are demanding that the University disclose whether the CCSG’s research agenda will be independent of the interests of its industry sponsors. The University has so far been dismissive of these concerns.”
“The CCSG raises fundamental questions about UQ’s commitment to scientific research integrity. The Centre’s research agenda must be independent of the interests of industry. It should also focus on the wider social and environmental impacts of coal seam gas mining in Australia”, Mr O’Neill said.
“The University of Queensland has built a reputation as a research leader in renewable energy technologies, and as a recent signatory of the Talloires Declaration, has committed to integrating sustainability into its research, teaching, operations, and outreach activities.”
“The immense public controversy over coal seam gas mining, and the environmental and social issues at stake, means it’s crucial that the CCSG maintains its independence and scientific integrity.”
More information:
http://www.uqclimateforchange.org/uqccsg/
Media Contact:
Abraham O’Neill, for the UQ Environment Collective
E: abraham.oneill@gmail.com
M: 0439758860
2012 Welcome Meeting
Tuesday 6th March, 6-9pm
Science Learning Centre, room 240 building 69, UQ St Lucia
Join the event on Facebook
UQ Climate for Change and the UQ Environmental Collective invite you to join us for a casual evening of getting to know more about the clubs, and each other!
Drinks and snacks will be provided, along with a chance to meet great like minded people, mapped out activities for the year and have a bit of fun.
Hope to see you there!
Welcome to UQ Climate for Change for 2012
It looks set to be a big year for climate action in Australia and internationally. If you have ever wanted to learn more about climate change now is the best time to get involved!
Come along to the UQ CfC Stall on Market Day, this Wednesday 22nd February from 10am – 3pm in the Great Court, to find out what’s in store for the year ahead.
Look for the green UQ Climate for Change banner.
