Last week Nannas celebrated Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, we welcomed back pollies, presented at a parliamentary inquiry and more.
Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday
Nannas celebrated Sir David Attenborough’s 100 birthday at their monthly in-person meeting on 8 May. We sang happy birthday to him, and individual Nannas sent heartfelt messages about his influence on their lives and on their families.
Welcome back Pollies
MPs returned to NSW parliament on 5 May, and Nannas were there to welcome back the ones who are prepared to stand up for a just energy transition away from fossil fuels, and to encourage all the other MPs to do better.
Sydney Knitting Nannas want to see policies that recognise the urgency of real climate action, and we want our pollies to listen to the Traditional Custodians on protecting land and water.
GAS
The government has opened up areas for gas exploration in Far West NSW, reversing a decade-long ban. This is despite expert advice that new gas is not necessary—gas can be reserved for domestic needs, demand is falling and alternative energy sources are coming online.
We need to get off gas because:
- it risks agriculture and water resources and therefore our food security,
- clean air is essential for human health,
- methane emissions are a major cause of global warming, which is bringing more frequent and severe weather events,
- extreme weather events traumatise communities, and the cost of restoring homes and infrastructure is immense. That’s why our insurance costs are blowing out,
- investing in gas slows investments in renewables.
We’re not saying turn off gas tomorrow. But we are saying that gas is a dirty and dangerous fossil fuel—let’s replace it as soon as we can.
COAL
The government recently announced it would not approve new ‘greenfield’ coal mines, but this doesn’t mean that the 19 new coal projects in the planning system can’t go ahead. They are all extensions and expansions of existing mines, and some of them are as big or bigger than the original mine.
The biggest is Hunter Valley Operations open cut Continuation Project, which will be assessed soon. It is the largest coal project ever proposed in NSW and if approved would produce 29 million tonnes of direct emissions until 2050.
Coal production in Australia is projected to fall by 42-51% by 2035. Government funding is required to prepare coal communities for the biggest economic shift since the industrial revolution.
The government’s current commitment of just $25 million per year is nowhere near enough to support economic diversification, land rehabilitation, and worker transition across four coal regions. That’s less than 1% of what our coal regions contribute in royalties to the state budget. Sign the Fund Our Future petition by Hunter Renewal.
Federal Gas News
Gas companies will be forced to set aside local supply under major Labor shakeup (The Guardian)
“Won’t raise a cent”: Labor gas reservation policy slammed as distraction tactic amid gas tax pressure (The Point)
New gasfield approved near Twelve Apostles puts climate and ‘pristine’ ocean in jeopardy, environmentalists warn (The Guardian)
Ocean Treaty passes Australian Parliament, a “historic moment” for nature protection (Greenpeace)
Despite the headlines, Albo hasn’t killed the gas tax (Cheek Media Co) and the campaign continues.
Problems again stall production from Santos’ $6.8b Barossa LNG (Boiling Cold)
Waste to Energy
On 4 May, Nannas joined other opponents of waste incineration plants at a small rally outside Parliament House to highlight that the inquiry by the Select Committee on Proposed Energy from Waste Facilities was about to commence inside the parliament. Nannas were interviewed by ABC Landline at the rally.
Sydney Nannas were pleased to be selected to give evidence to the hearing following our written submission to the Committee last October. Our submission covered the many reasons we oppose Energy from Waste facilities and advocated for rapid implementation of zero waste policies. Nannas Alex, Keelah and Cathy made a short presentation and then answered questions from the committee about the points made in our submission. You can watch the Nannas evidence here:
We know that the state’s landfills are almost full, but toxic incineration projects in regional communities are not the solution. Nannas stand with regional communities opposing Sydney’s waste being burnt in a toxic process close to their towns, waterways and agricultural land.
An energy from waste incinerator is proposed for Fiji by Australian businessman, Ian Malouf. Fiji doesn’t have enough waste of its own to feed a plant operating 24/7, so the plan is to import waste from Australia. (The Guardian)
Fossil fuels fuel war
Knitting Nannas joined Jubilee Australia and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) in an action to demonstrate opposition to the new Japanese PM’s pro-war and pro-fossil fuel policies on 4 May.
With the Opera House in the background, the ARRCC pointed out the dangerous and unjust trade of Australia’s LNG Gas for Japanese armaments, sabotaging our climate and security.
Australia and Japan double down on their vision for the region: more weapons, more fossil fuels (The Point)
Nannas are watching
Video: Andrew Forrest on diesel fuel rebate, real zero and the energy transition (Renew Economy)
Nannas are reading
The Minns Labor Government has taken an ultrasound of the Earth’s crust, and what it found could unlock the next generation of mineral discoveries across the state. (NSW Ministerial Media Release)
Australia’s biggest companies yet to face up to climate risk, and only a few have tried to count the cost. Two-thirds of Australia’s largest companies are owning up to material climate risk but only a third have put a dollar figure on exposure. (Renew Economy)
Water flows to parched NSW wetlands could be turned back on within weeks as drought fears loom (The Guardian)
‘Wake-up call’: methane emissions from Australian coalmines more than double official estimates, report finds (The Guardian)
Aboriginal Land Councils unite against NSW Land Rights bill (National Indigenous Times)
Forthcoming Events