2007
Up one levelThe pursuit of happiness
Several important studies have shown how there is, above a certain point of economic wealth, no longer a strong relationship between income and happiness. This is a very important finding, given how Western societies are built on a process of endlessly seeking to increase citizens' material consumption.
Canada sued for breaching Kyoto
Friends of the Earth Canada has launched a landmark lawsuit against the Government of Canada for abandoning its international commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Filed in Federal Court in Ottawa by Canada ’s foremost environmental law organisation, Sierra Legal, the lawsuit alleges that the federal government is violating Canadian law by failing to meet its binding international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Save Anvil Hill - get on the bus!
If we are going to stop dangerous climate change then we need to sto the expansion of the export coal industry. Anvil Hill is where we will draw a line in the sand. Join the weekend of community action: June 2 and 3.
One hundred thousand red gums at risk
More than one hundred thousand Red Gum trees along the Murray River are at risk of being destroyed and turned into railway-line sleepers to upgrade the Mildura railway line in Victoria. Precious, fragile River Red Gum wetlands covering an area greater than the entire Royal National Park will be destroyed in the process, some 20,000 hectares in total.
Irish Community calls for support in struggle against Shell
For over seven years a small community in a Gaelic speaking area on the west coast of Ireland has been fighting against plans by Shell oil and the Irish government to build a gas refinery and high pressure pipeline near their homes and an area of outstanding beauty.
Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle (CANC)
Friends of the Earth has warmly welcomed Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle (CANC) as a new affiliate member of the national FoE federation.
ALP national conference: The uranium issue is a long way from dead - despite Labor’s U-turn
The ALP conference was held in Sydney last weekend. The uranium policy has been a major issue. Check here for details on this issue and debate on climate change and climate refugees.
Freeport mine petition
The Freeport mine provides concrete evidence of the mismanagement of the mining sector in Indonesia. During its 40 years of operations, Freeport has not only damaged the mountain sites of Grasberg and Ertsberg, but altered the landscape over an area of 166 square kilometres in the Ajkwa river valley.
The changing climate of poverty [Brisbane]
Forum: Climate Change & Development in the Asia-Pacific Region
Show your support for a nuclear free Victoria!
Rally tomorrow (tuesday April 17) in Melbourne
Friends of the Earth Sydney to be launched this weekend
A new Friends of the Earth Sydney is launching, bigger & better than ever, this saturday, April 14.
Politics in the Pub: Climate change in the pacific (Brisbane)
Pacific Island nations are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with some nations likely to completely disappear as a result of rising sea levels. Australia, as one of the greatest per capita greenhouse gas emitters, is disproportionately responsible for climate change.
Technology: The new, the nasty and the needed (Adelaide)
A community public discussion reviewing the push for technology: what is appropriate when we think of social responsibility? The discussion is informal and open hosted by relevant local experts.
ALP: No U-Turn - No expansion of uranium mining
This Saturday April 27th, the 400 delegates to the Australian Labor Party National Conference will vote to discard or retain the long-standing No New Uranium Mines policy. Join the public lobby to stop an expansion of uranium mining this Friday 8-10am and Saturday 12-2pm.
ALP urged to recognise climate refugees
On the first day of the Labor Party’s national conference, Friends of the Earth Australia calls on ALP delegates to put in place their policy proposals to accept climate refugees in Australia.
Inhabited photo exhibition in Alice Springs
In 2005 federal minister Brendan Nelson announced the federal governments decision to establish a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory. At the time he said, “why on earth can't people in the middle of nowhere have low-level and intermediate level waste?” This exhibition reveals the myth of uninhabited and lifeless places that is created by politicians and industry promoting nuclear activity in Australia.
The Great Global Warming Swindle
The Great Global Warming Swindle will be shown at 8.30pm this Thursday, July 12th on ABC TV and ABC2. The following is a response from well known journalist and commentator George Monbiot and a press statement from The Australian Academy of Science.
One minute with meaning
Friends of the Earth's international green film competition. A call for films of a minute or less.
please support victims of Sinu river flooding (Colombia)
a call from Friends of the Earth Colombia (CENSAT Agua Viva). After intense rain showers more than 20,000 people living on the banks of the Sinú River in San Pelayo, Cereté y Lorica in Montería, Colombia were forced to find temporary shelter or be relocated to higher land. Their lands and homes are now under water from the June 29 inundations, which over-ran the Urrá I Dam on the Sinú River.
Wonthaggi desalination plant - what do the locals think?
On face value, desalination seems a sensible solution to Victoria’s “water crisis”. However expert opinion almost invariably differs. Desalination has its place and must be considered, but only as a last resort. The location for the proposed plant is between the mouth of the Powlett River and Williamsons beach near Wonthaggi in south eastern Victoria is being strongly opposed by a range of local residents.
George Monbiot: What Australia Should do to Stop the Planet Burning
Download George Monbiot's video conference address with Friends of the Earth at Melbourne University in early July.
George Monbiot: What Australia Should do to Stop the Planet Burning
Download George Monbiot's video conference address with Friends of the Earth at Melbourne University in early July.
Protesting APEC: Trajectories of Dissent
Trajectories of Dissent is a decentralised (multi-venue) exhibition which seeks to make a visual intervention into current representations of protest focused on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Inspired by histories of dissent – histories with numerous and various trajectories - this exhibition project was initiated by the struggles of the peoples of the Asia Pacific region that are challenging the dominant trade and economic policies promoted by forums such as APEC.
Chain Reaction magazine issue 100 available
Chain Reaction is the national magazine of Friends of the Earth Australia. The August 2007 copy marks its 100th edition.
Coolforests.org launched to promote value of protecting old growth
A new website aims to highlight the importance of preserving Australia's old forests in the fight against global warming.
Carbon Offsets - Preventing climate change or buying a clean carbon conscious?
Audio download of a recent public forum on carbon offsets is now available.
Switched On - Youth Climate Action Conference 2007
Concerned about climate change? Want to make a difference? Stumped on how to engage people within your school, university and wider community with fresh ideas for serious action on climate change? Then switch on to ‘Switched On’!
Stand on the Sand - community mobilisation against Victoria's proposed desalination plant
Please join or support the mobilisation being planned for October 7 at Powlett River beach, south east of Melbourne.
public forum: Our Future - Your Call [October 6, Brisbane]
Concerned about climate change? Hear what our politicians are doing about it and make your voice heard!
Chain Reaction #99 published
Chain Reaction is the national magazine of Friends of the Earth Australia. The March edition features a special on climate change and essays on Tasmania's southern forests, the future of the coal industry in Newcastle, and changes to legislation affecting Indigenous peoples.
FoE revegetation project - work day (Melbourne)
Our next planting day for 2007 will be held on sunday March 18. We will be working at the Rushall Station site on the lower Merri Creek, where we have previously planted mostly indigenous grasses and sedges.
Palm Sunday Peace Parade - April 1st
Nuclear Fools Day 2007 will be a national day of action across Australia, with flagship events in Melbourne and Sydney a matter of weeks before the pivotal Australian Labor Party (ALP) national conference on April 29 at which the ALP position on the uranium industry in Australia.
Help stop the Proposed Kuranda 4-lane Highway through World Heritage Rainforest
Friends of the Earth Kuranda are delighted to hear that the environmental approval (or hopefully disapproval) process for the 4 lane Kuranda Range Highway has been delayed once again.
firewood and forests
During the winter months keeping warm in Melbourne is a necessity - thawing out around the fireplace is, for many of us, a familiar activity. Less familiar is the fact that 80 percent of the firewood sold in Victoria comes from the rapidly dwindling Red Gum forests of the River Murray.
Atrazine expert to visit Australia
Tyrone B. Hayes is a PhD Professor at the Laboratory for Integrative Studies in Amphibian Biology, in the Dept. of Integrative Biology University of California, in Berkeley USA. He will be speaking in Melbourne and Launceston in mid June.
Greens climate refugee bill welcomed
Friends of the Earth Australia welcomes the introduction, by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, of a private members bill to formally recognise and create mechanisms to deal with climate refugees from Pacific Island nations.
Climate change and equity in Victoria
Social impacts of climate change on low-income earners. While mainstream debate currently focuses on science and the economic dimensions of climate change, there is also a growing awareness of its social costs. There is a mounting understanding that the effects of climate change will be disproportionately felt by already vulnerable communities, including people on low-incomes and communities directly dependent on their local environment for survival.
George Monbiot & Helena Norburge-Hodge audio avilable for downloading
Audio recordings of our recent video conference with George Monbiot and an event with Helena Norburg-Hodge are now available for download
Asia Pacific Economic Forum - the world demands climate targets
Get involved in an easy action to demonstrate the depth of community feeling about the need for binding greenhouse reduction targets.
(less than) ONE WEEK to go - make your submission online and help protect Redgum
Until October 8th, you have the opportunity to participate in an historic and exciting process that could create Victoria's first Indigenous Jointly Managed National Parks, and protect over 100,000 hectares of Murray River Red Gum Wetlands.
Your say on the Bay - cavalcade and carnival
Do you want a dredger on your doorstep this Summer of 2008, and for 2 years thereafter? This sunday, 7th October 2007
Public forum: a nuclear future? [Melbourne, October 17]
The City of Yarra, Mayors for Peace and Friends of the Earth invite you to a public forum to meet candidates for the upcoming federal election.
action alert: Murray River Crossing at Echuca/Moama
The proposed Murray River Crossing at Echuca/ Moama will have significant environmental and social impacts. Please write a letter calling on the implementation of the less damaging central option.
planting and weeding day, Little Yarra River [VIC]
The next FoE planting day will be held at Camp Eureka, where we will be planting out indigenous species to fill gaps in remnant riparian vegetation. We will also be weeding in this patch of significant Manna Gum forest alongside the Little Yarra River.
marine forum in Melbourne [tonight - November 7]
Teri Shore of FoE in California is currently conducting public forums in Australia to talk about the greening of the world's ports and merchant fleets. One last event is planned for Melbourne on November 7 - with a focus on greening the world's shipping trade.
the latest climate change news
In the run up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali in December, here's the latests round up of campaign news and stories from Friends of the Earth International's climate change campaign.
Walk Against Warming - November 11
Thousands of Australians joined this years Walk Against Warming, and sent a clear message to the next Australian Government that we want urgent action on climate change.
vote nuclear free film screening - Blue Mountains, Nov 19
Join the Blue Mountains Nuclear Free Group in a collection of recent short films on the impacts of the nuclear industry from uranium mining to nuclear weapons, nuclear power to positive solutions to climate change.
New Report Predicts Substantial Death Toll from Shipping Emissions
A scientific article published today by the American Chemical Society journal Environmental Science & Technology reports that the number of people dying from heart and lung disease as a result of under-regulated shipping emissions totaled 60,000 in 2002, and that death toll is estimated to grow by 40 percent by 2012 due to continued large increase in global shipping traffic.
National Day of Action for indigenous rights
Support indigenous rights by attending the national day of action, join supporters all over Australia this weekend - in Alice Springs, Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane... to let the politicians know that all Australians want indigenous rights upheld.
Climate change: urgent action and robust policies must match dire warnings
On 12-17 November a synthesis report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will be adopted and approved by governments in Valencia, Spain.
“Trial” mines have real impacts for water & environment
As a major Water and Mining conference assembles in Adelaide this week, community environment group Friends of the Earth calls on the state government to close a legal loophole that allows companies to mine uranium and contaminate groundwater without public consultation or environmental assessment.
Wild Things Art Auction and Fundraiser
Save by Art, which partners up with community organisations around the world to raise money and awareness, is making its Australian debut!
Bali meeting: Kyoto Afloat After Attempted Sabotage
the thirteenth annual negotiating conference for members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has just finished on the Indonesian island of Bali. Friends of the Earth International has been lobbying for the launch of an ambitious roadmap at the negotiations that will lead to real changes that are urgently needed in order to address the climate crisis.
Islands in Peril: Climate Change and its impact on our Pacific Neighbour
Forum, Katoomba, December 17. Special Guests from the Pacific atolls of Carterets and Papua New Guinea will be with us to share their stories.
A sustainable Christmas/ solstice/ Hannukah/ end of year
Sometimes end of year celebrations can feel like they are just about consumption. Certainly, with Christmas celebrations, presents and travel, most of us do clock up some extra impact. It is estimated that every house in Scotland generates an extra 2 kg of CO2 on Christmas day alone. We offer these ideas as practical ways we can reduce our impact over the new year period.
Don Burke: the new face of greenwashing in Australia
After 17 years proffering tips to gardening enthusiasts on Burke's Backyard, Don Burke is spearheading the new face of anti-environmentalism in Australia as chairman of the Australian Environment Foundation (AEF).
counter terrorism & human rights: Chain Reaction special edition
A special issue of Chain Reaction, the journal of Friends of the Earth Australia, explores the labyrinth of counter-terrorism legislation inherited by the Rudd Labor government.