Sydney Nannas march for nature, protest the government’s expansion of coal and gas at a Global Nature Positive Summit, support forest defenders in the Bulga State Forest and go kayaking on Sydney Harbour.
March for Nature: No Nature No Future
A crowd gathered at Speakers Corner in The Domain on Saturday 5 October for a huge peaceful demonstration. Speakers called for stronger nature laws and for the Albanese Government to stop being Nature Negative as it prepared to host global leaders for the Nature Positive Summit in Sydney.
The parade from the Domain through the botanical gardens to Lady Macquarie’s Chair was an uplifting experience. The participants were surrounded by things they were trying to save.
Nanna Cathy, dressed as a swift parrot, was popular with photographers. The swift parrot is critically endangered with an estimate of 500-700 left.
After the parade there were more speeches, a craft play for kids, a sustainable animal sculpture workshop led by artist Al Phemister and Ben & Jerry’s offered free ice creams.
The youngest speaker was 14 year old Spencer Hitchen from Noosa, who spoke powerfully and off the cuff about saving the glossy black cockatoo.
Many environment groups worked together to create this positive and happy event – Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Birdlife Australia, The Wilderness Society, The Nature Conservation Council of NSW, and other organisations.
Tuesday 8 October – Global Nature Positive Summit
Nannas joined around 100 protesters outside the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour on Tuesday 8 October where the Global Nature Positive Summit was held.
They emphasised their extreme disappointment in the government, and the Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, who had organised the event. Fossil fuel projects continue to be approved and subsidised. Forests of native trees continue to be logged.
Gadrian Hoosan, a Garrwa/Yanyuwa Aboriginal leader from Borroloola in the Northern Territory, was one of the great speakers.
The police presence was smaller than at past Convention Centre rallies, but the only place we were allowed to protest wasn’t close to where delegates were entering the building.
Tanya Plibersek’s key note speech
Tanya Plibersek said Australians ‘voted for the environment’ in 2022. Two years on, what has she been able to achieve? (ABC News)
Restoring nature requires real climate action (rapid reduction of emissions), and environment laws that protect nature from climate change. The Minister doesn’t mention new coal and gas mines nor stopping native forest logging and destruction of native species habitat. We’re disappointed but not giving up. If, as the Minister says, approving three new coal mines in one day is in accordance with our environmental law then the law must be fixed in this short time before the election.
Forestry Corporation of NSW started logging in the Bulga State Forest on 4th October. Fourteen forest defenders have been arrested trying to stop the logging. Veteran forest campaigner, Susie Russell, was refused bail and spent 24 hours in police custody. Some protesters have locked onto monstrous logging machines, saving 50 trees every hour if they are locked on to a harvester.
Retired journalist Margo Kingston arrested at NSW anti-logging protest after allegedly locking on to machinery (The Guardian)
Follow the protests on Facebook
Rising Tide News and Events
Rising Tide are offering kayak training on Sydney Harbour to participants in their blockade of the Newcastle coal port on November 22 -24.
Nanna Eury attended a training session on Sunday 6 October, a glorious spring day. She reported that the two-person inflatable kayaks destined for the blockade are light to carry and more comfy than hard kayaks. Fins help with steerage, but you must get in and out of the kayaks in the water – no being pushed in off the beach. It was quite windy and choppy on the day, but Eury felt secure in the kayak. It was good preparation for the main event, especially blowing up and assembling the kayaks. Despite not going on the water, Nanna Cathy said there was a great vibe and sense of comradery among the group.
The next training session is on Saturday 19 October at Sydney Opera House Man O’War Steps – Picnic and Paddle 10am-12 pm – See the RT Events for online sessions, and preparation sessions in different areas.
The nine Rising Tide activists arrested in September for blocking a coal train going to Newcastle coal port have had their court appearance adjourned until 14 November.
Win! Monster coal mine expansion withdrawn
Nannas celebrated the withdrawal of the massive Hunter Valley Operations’ (HVO) coal mining project from consideration for approval under federal environment law. This is a big win for the environment movement. It wasn’t just the biggest proposal in NSW history but involved the mining of coal with extraordinarily high methane emissions. Thank you to everyone who worked to stop this monster. We expect Glencore and Yancoal will be back with applications to expand and extend – but let’s enjoy the reprieve. Lock the Gate media release
Four Sydney Nannas went on Lock the Gate’s Hunter Valley Coal Tour in June this year. They learnt a lot and were shocked by the extent of the destruction.
José Ramos-Horta at the Opera House
Nanna Bron was among about 1000 people who went to hear the President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, at the Opera House on 8 October. She was thrilled to see so many people of all ages interested in Timor-Leste.
If you missed this event you can watch his National Press Club address here.
Tuesday 15 October – Amnesty International Film and Presentation
6.30pm 79 Myrtle Street, Chippendale. Sydney Nannas are doing a 15 minute presentation about what we do, after the film Walanbaa_ngiiyani about the gathering of Gomeroi and Pacifika climate activists in the Pilliga forest. All welcome RSVP here
Thursday 17 October – Monumental Imaginaries Exhibition – artist talk
6pm Tin Sheds Gallery at Sydney Uni – ‘Beyond Smokestacks and Solar Panels: Telling Visual Stories about Energy Transition’. Join a conversation with leading illustrators, architects, photographers and academics to consider how to use imagery to tell better and more nuanced stories. Artist, cartoonist and climate campaigner, Jess Harwood, will be speaking. Register here
Sunday 20 October – Tabiea Picnic for Nature
Join a group of Nannas at the Nature Conservation Council (NCC) and Arab Council of Australia’s (ACA) gathering at Garrison Point, Henry Lawson Drive, Georges Hall at 10am. Tabiea is the Arabic word for Nature. The aim is to increase the awareness of climate change, and advocating for climate action in Western Sydney, with a focus on Arabic-speaking communities in the region.
Other Picnics for Nature will be held across NSW – find one near you.
Nannas are listening to
Further mining damage to Aboriginal cultural sites revealed in NSW (ABC Listen)
Nannas are watching
Wall Street Journal – Why Australia is Key to the U.S. Military’s new Asia Strategy
Nuclear Gamble – Is nuclear a viable answer to Australia’s energy woes or is it a quixotic quest never to be realised? The program does not mention nuclear waste or the cost of waste storage facilities. We hope there is a follow-up episode on this. (ABC Four Corners)
Plastic Makers Have A Big Secret: They’re Experimenting On You
Forthcoming Events