The Greening of Gavin

Applying Pressure

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People PowerIt was a great day at the Peoples Climate march yesterday, but after some more water under the bridge, I had time to put things into perspective.

As I previously mentioned, over 30,000 concerned citizens marched yesterday in Melbourne as is their democratic right.  But it got me thinking.

Where was everyone else?  In a city that has a population of 4.35 million, that is just 0.6% who attended the call to action on climate change.  It doesn’t sound like a lot when you compare it to these other events that occurred on the same day;

  • The Royal Melbourne Show had about 80,000 people through the gates.
  • The Victorian Football League Grand Final at Etihad Stadium saw 23,816 raving fans attend the game.
  • Even the home renovation TV Show “The Block” open day saw approximately 20,000 fans walk through the set.

I am sure there were other events that I missed, but that is quite a turnout.

I realise too well that we are a free and democratic people here in Australia.  We can do whatever we like within the law during our own free time.  I am only comparing attendance at events, not judging.  Even Ben and I hope to go to the Royal Melbourne show this year as well.

However, the figures may indicate that concern about the effects of climate change is still not a mainstream issue or even on some people’s radar (yet).

So let me ask this.  What will it take to make the rest of the population show their concern if not with a climate march like yesterday?

Do we need another Angry Summer like the last few?  Do we need our reservoirs to nearly dry up again?  Do we need a repeat of the Black Saturday bushfires?

I hope not.  These events in themselves were terrible and horrible enough, but with the current climb in global greenhouse gas emissions, they are more than likely to occur again soon.

What will it take?

Archdruid John Michael Greer of the Archdruid Report observed that;

Until the people who claim to be concerned about climate change start showing a willingness to burn much less carbon, it’s unlikely that anyone else will do so, and so I think it’s a pretty safe bet that fossil fuels will continue to be extracted and burnt as long as geological and economic realities permit.

I tend to agree with him.

So whilst the Peoples Climate mobilisation was a brilliant way to raise awareness and beneficial to the wider cause, there is so much more to be done.

Lifestyles need to change to more sustainable ones.  Legislation needs to change to put a price on carbon emissions forcing business to change.  Governments need to stop talking about it – or start talking about it – as the case may be, and begin to embrace renewable energy technologies and strategies to reduce consumption and phase out fossil fuels.

These things are all still in front of us if we are to bring  the climate back to within a habitable range for our children and grandchildren.

Without such changes, our continued presence on this planet is indeed uncertain, as the climate science suggests.

So what can you and I do to keep the momentum going now that hundreds of thousands throughout the globe expressed their concern yesterday?  I suggest we set an example, lead from the front, and continue to place firm pressure on the gaping wound that masquerades as our federal governments.

Some people power is good, but a lot more is a whole lot better!  Keep applying pressure where necessary.

Black Thursday

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Black Thursday - Our current coat of arms

credit: David Pope

On this day, the Australian Government voted to repeal our effective climate change laws, and chose to dump them at the bottom of a coal-pit.  I shall call it Black Thursday.

I, along with millions of Australians fought hard for these laws to be passed  a few years ago, to reduce our country’s greenhouse gas emissions.  Laws that were working and reduced carbon emissions in the industry sectors that were covered by these laws.  Now, these laws are no longer.

And what has replaced them?  A big fat nothing, that’s what!

We have no effective carbon reduction laws in effect at this present time.

I am sad for my children.  I feel sad for their children.

I feel sad knowing that they will not look favourably at this day some time in the not so distant future and say to themselves “What on Earth were they thinking?”.  All the while up to their ankles in seawater in many of our major cities.

It makes me angry that there are some short-sighted politicians in our parliament, who are not willing to listen to the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change.  It makes me angry that vested interests wield such power over our current government.  The political will is sadly lacking.

But you know what makes me glad.  It was something that Al Gore once said .  He said that political will is a renewable resource.  That it is.

That it is.

More to follow, whilst I ponder what actions I can take to help turn this around…

Climate Action – Writing Emails to Our Senators

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Climate ActionWell, this evening I have been quite politically active.  I am taking climate action, and have written one email to my local Federal member, Brendan O’Connor (ALP).

I have also written two to a couple of our crossbench senators (Ricky Muir and John Madigan) here in Victoria who will be influential during the upcoming vote in the Senate for the repeal of the price on carbon pollution.

Obviously, I want it to remain, as it has lowered our country’s greenhouse gas emissions during the two years it has been law.

So, here is the contents of one of the emails that I sent to the newly instated Senator Ricky Muir (Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party).  Thanks to the ACF for some of the words.

 

Dear Senator Ricky Muir,

I live in Melton West, Victoria.  I am a proud father of four wonderful children, and I am expecting my first grandchild this year.

I am also the proud owner of a Honda Civic Hybrid car that gets 4.6 L per 100 Km.  This fuel efficiency is truly amazing.  So many of my friend don’t even realise it is a hybrid car until the engine turns off at the lights!

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if Australia had fuel efficiency laws similar to that of the USA.  It would promote the production cars like this in the Australian manufacturing sector.

I was very pleased two years ago when the Australian Government introduced a price on carbon.  This was a great step forward to protect our future generation.

With the price on carbon pollution just turning two it’s already kicked so many goals on every level.

I remember when after only one year we found out that emissions from electricity had dropped by over 6 per cent. On its second birthday, we’ve seen a 37 per cent rise in renewable energy, like wind and solar! That’s incredible, and it makes me proud to call myself an Australian.

It was such great news to hear that the RET, the CEFC and the Climate Change Authority might be safe. But it’s worrying to hear that our price on carbon pollution isn’t being offered the same level of protection – especially when it’s achieved so much.

The price on carbon pollution is working hard to protect our future. I urge you to act in the best interests of the Australian people and not drop the ball on climate action now.

Please stick up for our climate and support the price on pollution.

Warmest regards,

Gavin Webber

www.greeningofgavin.com

 

 

You can find each of your senator’s email addresses at this link; http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Senators/

I find that an email is good and gets the message across, however I am also going write a handwritten letter to each of them because a handwritten letter has more impact.

So what are you waiting for?  If you care about our children and grandchildren’s future, please take a couple of minutes out of your busy day and send through an email to your state senators.  People power is the only way we are going to turn this thing around.

Gav x