Economics for Earth
Earthworker Newsletter - December 2020
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us, to say the least. Although this year threw us a lot of curveballs, we are proud of what we have been able to achieve and we couldn't have done it without your support. Our members, organisers and worker-owners mobilised to support their communities throughout the pandemic and resulting recession. With the year coming to a close, we are reflecting on the past 12 months as a period of growth and resilience building.
Climate & Energy Justice
FoE takes Shell to court #ClimateCase
Shell Oil, one of the biggest climate polluters in the world, finally faces court in December
This is a potential game-changer because if successful, Friends of the Earth Netherlands historic climate case against Shell would rule that the oil corporation must reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050. This would have global repercussions that would extend to Shell's investments in Australia.
Economics for Earth
Bushfire survivors and Friends of Earth’s response to Initial Assessment of ANZ climate complaint under OECD guidelines
Three survivors joined Friends of the Earth to accuse ANZ of misleading consumers by investing in fossil fuel projects.
Climate & Energy Justice
Introducing Climate Live 2021
Introducing Climate Live 2021, organised by School Strike 4 Climate and Green Music Australia with support from Friends of the Earth.
Land & water
Solidarity with Bangladeshi communities saying NO to MAAR Ltd.’s toxic waste
Friends of the Earth Australia have signed on to a statement of solidarity (below) with Bangladeshi communities mobilising to protect their canals against the dumping of toxic industrial waste.
Land & water
EPBC review - please write a submission
The federal government has been trying to ‘reform’ the environmental assessment laws for major projects. They have now tabled amended legislation, which was approved by the House of Representatives in September.
Climate & Energy Justice
Regionalism requires strong, committed leaders: Dame Meg Taylor at the Blue Pacific Futures Webinar
This is a statement by Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, delivered at the Blue Pacific Futures Webinar on 3 November 2020
Climate & Energy Justice
Climate change and Pacific sovereignty forums
The challenges of climate change to the very sovereignty of Pacific atoll nations is the topic of a series of consultations jointly organised by Friends of the Earth's Climate Frontlines project and the climate change network of the Pacific Islands Council of QLD (PICQ).
Land & water
Microplastics in Water
by Professor Alfred Poulos
One of the most important properties of water is its capacity to dissolve, transport, or carry, a greatvariety of substances- solids, liquids, or even gases. Rivers and lakes, a major source of drinkingwater for many people, contain varying amounts of dissolved substances, as well as sedimentderived from rocks and soil. Sediment is formed by the physical action of water as it flows over asurface and can include particles of clay, sand, and minerals. In addition to the organic matter that isderived from natural sources, water can carry waste, chemicals associated with agricultural,industrial, and other human activities, as well as organisms that cause disease. Over the last fewyears it has become apparent that water from many different natural sources also contains tinyplastic particles, referred to as microplastics (1, 2)
Image Source: https://avadaenvironmental.com/2019/04/18/microplastics/
Climate & Energy Justice
Another Lloyds insurer drops Adani
Another Lloyd’s insurer, Apollo Underwriters, that is providing cover for the Adani Carmichael project has committed to not renewing or taking on any new policies with the destructive coal project.