Nuclear Freeways project hits the road

The Nuclear Freeways project is part of the broader campaign to prevent the federal government imposing a nuclear waste dump on unwilling communities in the Northern Territory. It is focussed on supporting communities along potential transport routes between the main waste producer – the Lucas Heights nuclear plant in Sydney – and the NT.

In April we conducted the first leg of the tour through NSW. We visited Canberra, Sydney, Blue Mountains and Lithgow and held public meetings, stalls and met with local council, emergency services and other interest groups.

This project will continue through 2007. For details, or to get involved, please see: <www.foe.org.au/campaigns/anti-nuclear/freeways>.

Palm oil campaign launched

On World Environment Day, FoE Australia joined with the Rainforest Information Centre, Borneo Orangutan Society, and the Australian Orangutan Project to launch the Palm Oil Action Group.

The focus is a consumer campaign, calling on Australian consumers, retailers and manufacturers to play a key role in curbing massive deforestation in South-East Asia for palm oil plantations.

The group says that consumers need to be aware of the devastating consequences of the palm oil industry in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, and demand proof from companies involved in the industry who may claim they are not responsible. In Indonesia alone, an area of forest equal to 300 soccer fields is being destroyed every hour for the creation of palm oil plantations. There are also widespread human rights abuses in these countries as traditionally-owned land is acquired to make way for more plantations.

While the Palm Oil Action Group is not opposed to palm oil and is not calling for a boycott, the group is asking Australians to write to supermarkets, food manufacturers including KFC, politicians and ambassadors urging fast action, such as a verification system for 'orangutan friendly' oil and an improved labelling system.

More information: <www.palmoilaction.org.au>.

Environmental water being stolen from the Macquarie Marshes

The Inland Rivers Network has released an investigative report about the theft of environmental water from the Macquarie Marshes. IRN investigations show certain landholders have siphoned off water that was released from the Burrendong Dam specifically for the thirsty Macquarie Marshes. Winter rain has meant small flows are reaching the Marshes, but IRN has been advised by people in the area that water thieves have again been active in the area.

IRN is a grouping of environmental organisations, including the Australian Conservation Foundation, Nature Conservation Council of NSW,  National Parks Association and FoE.

The full report is posted at: <www.irnnsw.org.au>.

2007 federal election - is climate the new black?

FoE is working with a range of environmental groups to ensure climate change and its impact on land and people is firmly on the agenda. The 2007 federal election provides a pivotal opportunity for all political parties to demonstrate how seriously they take global warming.

Rich nations with large carbon debts must lead the way with the deepest emissions reductions, whilst allowing other countries to continue to develop economically with lesser reductions and by providing renewable technology and adaptation aid.

FoE Australia is campaigning for:
* Legally binding national targets to cut greenhouse pollution by 40% by 2020 and 90–95% by 2050 (from 1990 levels).
* An additional climate refugee program at home and lobbying for international recognition of climate refugees.
* Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and international leadership by Australia in the post-2012 Kyoto negotiations for rich nations accepting their "differentiated responsibility" for the global carbon debt.
* Putting energy efficiency first (the cheapest, quickest and most job-rich option for achieving emissions reductions) in national energy policy.
* A national renewable energy target of 30% by 2020 to drive investment in renewable energy.
* An overseas aid budget (ODA) of at least 0.7% of GNI by 2015 to help increase the resilience of social and natural systems to climate change.
* Shifting research support and industry subsidies from dirty and dangerous energy to renewable energy.
* An annual contribution of $1,800 million annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adaptation funds, prioritising the most vulnerable Southern countries in recognition of the impact of our historical greenhouse gas emissions. This contribution should be over and above any increases in ODA.
* Investigation into whether we need to introduce carbon quotas for people and industry (an annual allocation of carbon consistent with a 'fair share' of the atmosphere).

We oppose:
* nuclear power as a 'solution' to climate change (it's the only energy source with a repeatedly-demonstrated connection to WMD proliferation, it impacts negatively on Indigenous peoples, it's too expensive, too slow and leaves dangerous waste).
* carbon trading – unless it stops business–as–usual through 100% auctioning of permits, achieves a 40% emission reductions by 2020 through year-on-year reductions, and excludes all offsets.
* 'clean' coal – where emissions are captured and put underground (this is commercially untested, expensive, potentially dangerous and too slow to be a core element of a sustainable energy mix).

Our collaboration with other groups includes:
* an 11-point plan created by a range of key state and national groups;
* Turning Down the Heat, a climate change action agenda for Australia, prepared by Climate Action Network Australia; and
* the Big Switch, an online campaign: <www.thebigswitch.com.au>.

Details on our activity are posted at: <www.foe.org.au/campaigns/climate-justice/policy-position/federal-election-2007>.

Thanks!
* To Donkey Wheel Fund for its support for our climate change and future energy project.
* Lonely Planet for supporting our work camps to Nepabunna community in SA.
* Rainforest Information Centre, Lismore, for their support for Chain Reaction.
* To the people who have supported our nuclear fighting fund in recent months.
* To everyone who responded to the FoE Australia annual appeal.