2008 Media Releases
Up one levelMass protest to block Newcastle coal train line – climate debate to escalate
Organisers of Australia's first "Camp for Climate Action" say they plan to block a coal train line as part of a climate protest to be held in Newcastle in July. Up to a thousand people from across Australia are expected to converge on Newcastle to take action at the world's largest coal exporting port.
UN Conference on Biological Diversity
In a report launched at the COP 9 Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) in Bonn, Friends of the Earth (FoE) has criticised the Australian government for the ongoing logging of Australia’s native forests, causing widespread loss of biodiversity, despite being a signatory to the Convention.
International Indigenous leaders attend Barrick Gold's Shareholder's meeting
FoE Australia campaigner Natalie Lowrey and Neville "Chappy" Williams, Wiradjuri elder and spokesperson for Mooka and Kalara United Families are currently in Toronto as part of a speaking tour of communities affected by Barrick Gold mining operations. Check here to see campaign updates, press releases and briefing papers and a statement on carbon trading by the Indigenous caucus presented at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York.
carbon capture: Green groups provide cover for coal industry
National environmental organisation Friends of the Earth Australia (FoEA) has joined the growing chorus of outrage coming from around the country following the call for a government taskforce which would support carbon capture technology.
Emissions Trading could still fail under fossil fuel lobby pressure
Friends of the Earth Australia has welcomed Professor Garnaut's strong opposition to free permits in his proposed emissions trading scheme, released today, but warned of the dangers of allowing international offsets and industry compensation to undermine the scheme.
Climate Code Red launched
"Climate Code Red: The case for a sustainability emergency" This new report, prepared by Carbon Equity and the Greenleap Strategic Institute, argues for the need to declare an climate emergency.
Apology to Stolen generations welcomed, compensation the next step
National environmental justice organisation Friends of the Earth Australia (FoEA) joins with other Australians in welcoming Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations. We believe this is a necessary and significant step in beginning to acknowledge the depth of the impacts of the removal policy on the people who were removed, their families and more broadly their communities.
What’s missing from the climate talks? Justice!
Peoples from social organisations and movements from across the globe brought the fight for social, ecological and gender justice into the negotiating rooms and onto the streets during the UN climate summit in Bali.
Climate Code Red launched
"Climate Code Red: The case for a sustainability emergency" This new report, prepared by Carbon Equity and the Greenleap Strategic Institute, argues for the need to declare an climate emergency.
Nuclear reactor reversal is a welcome first step
The federal Coalition’s reversal of its aggressive pro-nuclear position and the new political consensus against nuclear power as an energy option for Australia has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth.
no labels, no new safety testing: high tech nano foods pose toxic risks
Food, packaging and agricultural products containing manufactured nanomaterials pose a toxic health risk and should be suspended from sale until new safety testing, laws and appropriate labelling are created, a new report says.
Minister Evans right on climate refugees
Friends of the Earth, Australia has welcomed statements by the Minister for Immigration Chris Evans that he is considering ways to assist climate refugees.
Emissions Trading could still fail under fossil fuel lobby pressure
Friends of the Earth Australia has welcomed Professor Garnaut's strong opposition to free permits in his proposed emissions trading scheme, released today, but warned of the dangers of allowing international offsets and industry compensation to undermine the scheme.
treetop platforms stop logging in East Gippsland
Twenty conservationists remain in two old growth logging coupes this morning south of Bendoc on the Errinundra Plateau in far eastern Victoria. Two 30 metre high tree platforms remain in place and are preventing logging from commencing.
Otway Carbon capture not the solution
National environmental organisation Friends of the Earth (FoE) says that today's public launch of the CO2 CRC carbon sequestration trial in the Otway Basin is an effort in burying carbon – and our heads – in the sand. It takes attention and funds away from what is required for a meaningful response to climate change.
Strzelecki Deal No Closer to Resolution
Environmental organisations Friends of the Earth (FoE) and Friends of Gippsland Bush (FoGB) have today announced concerns that the $7 million Cores and Links Deal to save Strzelecki Rainforest is no closer to resolution 18 months after a Heads of Agreement to protect the area was signed.
Shell faces legal action in the Netherlands over Nigerian pollution
Dutch lawyers representing the communities affected by Shells operations in the Niger Delta have summoned Shell to clarify its role concerning oil spills. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth Nigeria, said, in response to this action: `In a globalised world, European companies should be held accountable in their home countries when they operate overseas in ways they would never dream of in their own backyard.'
protecting infants and children from toxic exposure
Friends of the Earth in the USA has found that commonly used baby and children's products and upholstered household furniture contain dangerous levels of toxic chemicals called halogenated fire retardants.
Sites of National Conservation Significance to be Sacrificed in Strzelecki Forest Deal
Conservation groups Friends of the Earth and Friends of Gippsland Bush (FoGB) have today announced concern over the State Government's May 30 announcement regarding forest protection in the Strzelecki ranges in south eastern Victoria.
Queensland budget fuels climate change
Friends of the Earth Brisbane has expressed disappointment at the Queensland Government as yesterday’s budget announced spending of more than $700 million on coal infrastructure, dwarfing spending on climate change initiatives and renewable energy.
Fergusons nuclear waste plan - a liberal policy – a broken promise?
Before the election Labor condemned the Howard government’s process for siting a radioactive waste facility and also promised a method of addressing radioactive waste management issues which are ‘scientific, transparent, accountable, fair and allows access to appeal mechanisms’ and to ‘ensure full community consultation in radioactive waste decision-making processes’. Now we have federal Minister Martin Ferguson talking about fast-tracking a nuclear waste dump.
Canada in court for violating federal climate change law
Canada has become the first country ever to be brought to court for failing to comply with its legal commitments to combat global warming.
FoE condemns state government's coal power station announcement
Friends of the Earth (FoE) today condemned the announcement by the Brumby Government to give approval to a new coal-fired power station in the La Trobe Valley.
G8 banks on massive global climate pollution
The G8 leaders meeting in Hokkaido from July 7-9 have failed to respond to the gravity of the climate crisis confronting the global community.
Think bigger than our backyard – act on climate change
On July 13, Make Poverty History launched its new report 'See the Bigger Picture: Australian Action on climate change: a guide for Garnaut and the Government'. It urges the Rudd Government to establish an international coalition to accept ‘climate change refugees’ when a country becomes uninhabitable because of rising sea levels, as outlined in Labor’s 2007 National Platform.
Coal port proposal another insult to Queensland's biggest wilderness region
Friends of the Earth Brisbane and the Peace Convergence are concerned at a proposal to build a new coal port on Australian Defence Force land at Shoalwater Bay in central Queensland. The port puts at risk Queensland's largest coastal wilderness area and increases the states contribution to climate change.
Victoria must deliver on red gum parks election promise
The Victorian Government must honour its key election promise to establish major new Red Gum national parks in the north of the State after an independent government advisory group today recommended their creation, leading environment groups said.
