Eighteen Nannas were at Customs House on Friday 26 July for singing practice and a plotting session. Singing led by Nanna Penny is always a lot of fun and this time we had two air guitarists playing along with Queen’s finale in We Will Rock (Stop) You.
With both Parliaments back in August it is shaping up to be a busy month and action on climate is more urgent than ever. According to a United Nations media release, the world has had the three hottest days on record.
“We know what is driving it: fossil fuel-charged, human-induced climate change,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Our national environmental laws are no longer fit for purpose and the fossil fuel industry is pushing back against making much needed changes to them.
If you are concerned about this, join a group, there are many to choose from. Get involved – there’s an election coming up and candidates need to know what you care about.
Tuesday 6 August – Welcome Back Pollies
12 noon – 1.30pm – Martin Place at the pedestrian crossing opposite NSW Parliament House. Once again Nannas will welcome pollies back to parliament after their winter break to remind them that we are watching. We’ll be singing and asking pollies to speak to us about their aims for this session of parliament.
Campaign for a National Climate Trigger
Our Climate Trigger explainer includes a list of current environmental triggers that Federal Government needs to assess before determining whether to approve a new project.
Move Beyond Coal and other groups are pushing for a climate trigger in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act. There is a four week action plan leading up to the legislation going to the Senate – which could be as soon as mid-August. This is the best chance the climate movement has to stop new coal and gas projects, but the fossil fuel industries are fiercely opposing it. The following are the actions we can take –
Join the Tanya Plibersek Call-A-Thon!
For the last 4 weeks, Move Beyond Coal has rostered on a call every hour every day into the Environment Minister’s office calling on her to enshrine an assessment of climate impacts into our national environment laws. The roster has been extended until August 23 when the reforms are being negotiated. Sign up at a time that suits you and you’ll be sent a reminder and easy talking points to make and log your three minute phone call!
Visit your MP’s Office from 5-9 August
Federal Labor MPs will be in their electorate offices just before the legislation goes back to Parliament.
Wednesday 7 August – DJ Albo dance party
Action in Sydney CBD broadcasting sound bites from Albo’s 2005 attempt to get a climate trigger – more information on our events page soon.
Or you can deliver a Lush hamper to your local Labor MP from 5-13 August
The campaign to win a Climate Trigger is being profiled in 400 Lush stores across the country in August! Find out more here.
Retirement Seminar
Three Nannas attended the annual Unisuper Retirement Outlook seminar on Monday 22 July. We are interested in what super funds are doing to help people preparing to retire, and also their response to the divestment movement and the climate emergency.
We learnt the following:
- Unisuper offers free advice to members who are still working and to those who have already retired.
- Their presentation ignored the climate emergency, except bald statements that divestment doesn’t work
- Unisuper only invests in the big four banks and not the small ones who don’t invest in fossil fuels because they’re too small
- They invest in new gas fields because Chris Bowen supports its ongoing role in our energy mix.
- They expect the gas expansion in the north to come with a reservation scheme.
- They have invested heavily in the APA pipeline that will facilitate the export of NT gas because it is necessary for the gas projects and if APA didn’t build it another company would have.
Protest Laws
Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends support the democratic human right to non-violent protests.
Protest in Peril – Report by the Human Rights Law Centre, Report on the history of criminalisation of protest in Australia. Highly recommended.
Nannas are reading
The Climate Council’s new report, Powering Past Gas: An Energy Strategy that Works, cuts through the noise in Australia’s energy debate, mapping a clear pathway to move beyond gas at home and in our exports.
Australia’s environment could be fixed and threatened species saved for just 0.3% of GDP, experts say – The Guardian
Landmark new research shows how global warming is messing with our rainfall The Conversation
Australia should not be held captive to the gas lobby’s unchecked power and influence – Author: Anjali Sharma, the lead litigant of Sharma v Environment Minister Crikey.
Forthcoming Events