Last week Nannas wore PJs at Kirribilli, picnicked at Wolli Creek, shouted out about their favourite rivers, learnt about Tuvalu, worried about Perth’s water – should we be worried about Sydney’s too?
Labor in bed with the fossil fuel industry
A snap sleep-in was held at Kirribilli House, the PM’s Sydney residence, on Monday morning 22 September. Several Nannas wearing pyjamas and Nanna t-shirts joined about 100 others, mostly young people.
This was a National Day of Action, led by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) to express our anger at the Albanese government’s failure to act on the main causes of climate change.
The AYCC is rightly calling out the government’s continued support for the fossil fuel industry. Labor approved over 28 new coal and gas projects in their first term. Then shortly after the recent election, they approved the massive Woodside North West Shelf gas export project, one of the most polluting gas projects in the southern hemisphere. They’ve also approved another three fossil fuel projects, bringing the total C02 emissions for the four projects to 4.14 billion tonnes. And that’s just since May.
Young climate activists told the gathering that they feel betrayed by Labor’s new climate target of between 62-70% by 2035. Analysis by the Australian Climate Council predicts that even a 75% cut by 2035 would align with global heating of over 2.3°C.
Sun Day Solar Picnic Day
Nannas attended a Solar Picnic presented by Solar Citizens at Wolli Creek on Sunday 21 September. Solar Citizens work in communities to assist people to make the switch to solar power, batteries and electric vehicles.
They are campaigning actively for equal access to clean energy for people who rent and/or live in apartments. Nanna Bron is part of the resident committee of her apartment block, which has already made a submission to switch their energy supply to solar. Older, low rise apartment blocks are easier to switch than high rise.
Solar Citizens are keen to hear from renters and apartment dwellers wanting to gain access to solar power. Click on the link above.
Sunday 28 September World Rivers Day – Shout Out Our Rivers
Nannas sent in photos with text about their favourite creeks and rivers to the Australian River Restoration Centre (ARRC) for World Rivers Day.
Editor’s pick from Nanna Catherine:
I looked out at the Derwent River, beneath Kunyani, every day of my childhood and young adult life.
It was a barometer for each day, the most dramatic being the fog, known as the Bridgewater Jerry, which rolled its way down and shrouded the winding waterway, the banks and the sleeping city. I walked on its sandy shores, threw stones from the rocky banks. I swam in it and crossed it in small boats and ferries. I kissed my now husband under a shiny moon one night, with the dark water lapping at the sides of an old wooden ferry boat. I have spilt tears in it, and echoed peals of laughter across it.
The ashes of family lie in its murky depths. I imagine the ancient ties of generations of families, that with skill, found abundance in the water and surrounds. The Derwent River is entwined in the story of myself. It is always in my heart, and it still calls me home.
Film and discussion: Save Tuvalu, Save the World,
Nannas attended the screening of the documentary film ‘Save Tuvalu, Save the World’ by Stephen Long of The Australia Institute at the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Centre in Glebe on 23 September.
The powerful 30-minute documentary brings home what Australia’s failure to reduce climate pollution means for Tuvaluns and other Pacific peoples. Already Tuvalu has had to implement drastic changes to slow down the terrible effects of rising and warming oceans.
The film and a forum featuring Gitty Yee, a climate activist from Tuvalu, was held at Canberra Politics in the Pub and is now available to watch here.
Water
Nannas were shocked to read the following in Peter Milne’s Boiling Cold.
In 2023, the WA’s Water Corporation determined that under Alcoa’s mining plan, “the probability of contamination of reservoirs is considered certain“, but in December 2023, the Cook government gave the green light to the US company anyway.
Six months later, Water Corporation chief executive, Pat Donovan, told his board that, depending on the contamination event, the Department of Health could issue a ‘boiled water advisory’ requiring the Corporation to supply bottled water to more than 100,000 customers.
The Water Corporation now have a tender out to “supply and deliver bottled water for Perth Metro and regional WA for the requirements of incident management, emergency events and promotional purposes.”
Nannas are watching
Cooling or Collapse – September 2025 – This zoom recording has very sobering predictions, but a realistic glimmer of optimism from climate scientists.
Nannas are listening
Rear Vision – Australia’s Green Iron plan, drills down into our coal and iron-ore industries and asks, “can Green Iron save us?” (ABC Listen)
Nannas are reading
Intelligence agencies should report on foreign interests in ‘activist groups’, Australian coal lobby group argues – Check out our (Australian made) Nanna banner. (The Guardian)
Fossil fuel lobbyists flood Canberra as agencies and media exposed in 2025 F-List. Nearly a quarter of all 468 federally registered lobbyists work for fossil fuel clients. (Comms Declare)
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