September 2020 bendigodistrictacf@gmail.com

Photo: Annette Ruzicka/MAPgroup.

Melissa Abel has been a key driving force with Bendigo District ACF since its inception three years ago. Mel is passionate about the planet, and deeply concerned for it’s future, and in particular for the ways that climate damage will impact upon our children.

Mel is shown here with daughters, Lucy and Chloe. Mel somehow balances her responsibilities as mother, home educator, and tertiary student (she is studying for a degree in geography and community development), with her environmental activism.

Mel’s whole family, including husband, Larry, shares her commitment to the planet and its inhabitants – all creatures included. Thanks, Mel, for your leadership and your passion. It’s a privilege to work with you as a planet-partner.

Planet Minder Melissa Abel

Using Slack: TrainingSlack is the ACF’s social media platform. Training opportunities arise from time to time. The next will be onSeptember 03, 2020 6:30pm – 7:30pm.Online via Zoom: Details will be provided after registration. To register go tohttps://www.acf.org.au/training_slack_030920

Bendigo District ACF currently meets on Zoom on the fourth Monday at 6.00 pm.

Congratulations Ian Cooper for your recent Letter of the Week in the Bendigo Advertiser, addressing issues of climate change. Ian’s letter can be found on the Bendigo District Planet Minders Facebook Page, or at http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/6879178/dont-forget-climate-change-is-still-an-issue/?cs

Fight for Planet A. About to conclude, but available on ABC iview. Another important contribution from the national broadcaster. Helpful conversation starter.

Congratulations Mt Alexander Shire, announcing plans to get to zero emissions by 2025!

This Letter by Deb Shand was published recently in the Midland Express. Deb is a valued member of our Change the Story Network.

At times, it is easy to believe that all is well with the world. As I walk my dog in the evening, the setting sun paints clouds gold. Below, in the valley, the buildings of my little town nestle amongst green pillows of trees. Beyond, the sky hangs pink above the mountain.

But all is not well. A virus stalks amongst the people of our city and many other cities throughout the world. Businesses and economies teeter on the brink of collapse. Far away in Siberia, one of the coldest places on Earth, there is a record heatwave causing wildfires to burn and permafrost to melt sending greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Hearing this news reminds us of the terrible bushfires that raged through our country only six months ago. Then we wore masks to stop the smoke of burning trees and animals from entering our lungs. Now we wear masks to stop a virus entering our lungs and stealing our breath away.

Storm clouds of chaos and uncertainty gather on the periphery of our minds. While we fret over Covid-19 figures, our politicians seek to dismantle environmental laws and allow mining companies to destroy ecosystems and ancient caves.

Despite these grave threats to our existence, sunsets are still to be enjoyed. Lockdown can be a gift: a time to reflect, to eat well, to read and rest, to grow gardens and ourselves. Each of us has a responsibility to steer our Earth onto a better course. We are not alone: there are millions around the world working for positive change, for renewable solutions, for a healthy environment and stronger community. We must practice sustainable ways of living and remind our MPs that they work for our well-being if we want our children to inherit a habitable planet.

We are not alone.

Photo by Liz Martin.

Photo by Liz Martin. Thanks heaps, Liz!

Haiku

The moist earth conspireswith the sun to burst forth inexuberant life.

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After two years of school strikes, the world is still in a state of climate crisis denial.Greta Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer, Anuna De Wever and Adélaïde Charlier

“Today, leaders all over the world are speaking of an “existential crisis”. The climate emergency is discussed on countless panels and summits. Commitments are being made, big speeches are given. Yet, when it comes to action we are still in a state of denial. The climate and ecological crisis has never once been treated as a crisis. The gap between what we need to do and what’s actually being done is widening by the minute. Effectively, we have lost another two crucial years to political inaction.”

Read in full: The Guardian 19th August. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/19/climate-crisis-leaders-greta-thunberg?CMP=share_btn_fb

Haiku

The colours of life emerge: reds and yellows andever-hopeful green.

All haiku by Ken Rookes.

Photograph by Liz Martin

School Strike for ClimateBuild our future: Climate Justice & Jobs

“The number 1 cause of the climate crisis is the mining and burning of coal and gas, which is why we urgently need a plan to fairly move Australia beyond these polluting energy forms to clean, safe renewable energy, with jobs and support for those communities on the frontlines of this crisis. That’s why the school strike’s demands of Governments are:

No new coal, oil and gas projects100% renewable energy by 2030A just transition and jobs for fossil fuel workers and their communities.”

Global Day of Action 25th September, 10.00 AM, Victory Park, Castlemaine

Walking and DiscoveringJulie Flynn

few weeks ago, after the first stage 3 lockdown was finished, we started a fortnightly group walking activity in bushland areas around Bendigo.

Our group has over 300 people living in Central Victoria who align with the ACF in some way. These are people who have expressed concern about environmental damage and have some alignment with the ACF's goals and campaign actions. Most have not attended ACF meetings and are not involved in our campaigns...... yet

The purpose of our little bushwalks was to give some of these people an opportunity to meet others and consider whether and how they would like to become more involved in our activities.

We were limited to having no more than 10 people due to the pandemic restrictions, and we met on Tuesdays at 10am for a walk that would last 1 to 2 hours. We explored some of the trails (both well known and lesser known) around Number 7 and Crusoe Reservoir, and walked part of the Goldfields Track near Spring Gully.

These walks provide a variety of opportunities. For some people these trails are new territory, with many opportunities to notice and admire the plants, birds, kangaroos and wallabies. For others its more about meeting others and getting to know them, because when you walk with others, there are always discussions. . . This is something that many people have missed during 2020, with the social restrictions brought about by this pandemic. Of course there's the healthy exercise that walking provides. We have managed to cover 6-7kms each time we have walked.

This winter there is an abundance of flowers in the bush to enjoy. Its lovely to see so much bendigo wax, and I've noticed a few early greenhood orchids, which are my favourites.

With the reintroduction of Stage 3 restrictions again we have had to cancel these walks, but we are hoping to restart them after the 6 week period, and we are keen to get back onto the Goldfields Track, going south....

Great Barrier Reef envoy urges fellow Liberal MPs to do more on climate change

Queensland MP Warren Entsch writes report urging Coalition to increase efforts to reduce emissions, especially in Covid-19 recovery response.

The Morrison government’s Great Barrier Reef envoy, Warren Entsch, has urged fellow Liberal MPs to do more on climate change policy, including pushing for greater global action, after the world heritage site suffered a third mass bleaching event in five years.

In a report to the environment minister, Sussan Ley, Entsch said climate change was having a growing impact on the reef and was unequivocally its greatest long-term threat. He said he feared that programs to address greenhouse gas emissions might be dropped as the government rationalised spending in response to the Covid recession, and called for it to take another path.

Read more in The Guardian 13th August. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/13/great-barrier-reef-envoy-warren-entsch-urges-fellow-liberal-mps-to-do-more-on-climate-change

Resources, Recommended Reading & Viewing

How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way that Makes a Difference. Rebbecca Huntley

"I used to think that the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science, we could address these problems. But I was wrong.

The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with those we need a cultural and spiritual transformation.And we scientists don't know how to do that."

We strongly suggest that you get hold of a copy of Rebecca Huntley’s latest book which covers  how to ‘change the story’ in depth.

‘The Coal Curse’ Essay by Judith Brett in issue 78 of the Quarterly Essay which describes accurately and succinctly how Australia got itself into its current climate disaster.

Brett provides an historic analysis of the politics of the past 4 decades, showing how the wealth and power of the mining industry, along with some dodgy allies, influenced Australian politics to bring us to the climate damaging place we are at now. Judith Brett helps us to understand what we are up against.https://www.themonthly.com.au/author/judith-brett

Collapse of CivilisationAsher Moses from ‘Voice of Action’ on latest scientific opinions (June 2020):https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-06-08/collapse-of-civilisation-is-the-most-likely-outcome-top-climate-scientists/ 

This is a disturbing wake-up call pointing to the inevitability of civilisation collapse if action is not taken immediately. It calls for 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, and 100% by 2040 – way beyond what our leaders are aiming for. It looks at the failure of the economic systems that assumed that unlimited growth is possible on a finite planet. If you needed further motivation, here it is!

Will Steffen: The Anthropocene & Planetary Boundaries.'Emeritus Professor Will Steffen is a world renowned earth systems scientist at ANU, Canberra';

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABZjlfhN0EQ&feature=youtu.beWill Steffan looks at the human impact upon planet earth – not just its impact on climate. Spend 18 minutes looking at the big picture, and the need to create boundaries to limit the effects of humankind upon the planet.

Why we are facing a climate emergency (May 2020) Will Steffen gives a clear, concise easy to understand explanation with regard to 'earth system tipping points' and the likely domino effect as the falling of one will likely adversely impact others : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94fcoIG9GQ&feature=youtu.be Katherine HayhoeKatharine is an influential US based atmospheric scientist. She discusses and explains some of the psychology behind what drives an individual's attitude to climate change. She makes brilliant use of informative, interactive maps and outlines a step-wise process to engage people in climate change discussion.

Climate Change 2020 – What’s New? (first part may appear trivial but it gets really interesting as it unfolds): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxYLDFMA4Nk

Climate Science in a Fact-Free World 2020 Keeling Lecture:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7vSWll-d8E

Plastic WarsFour Corners Series 2020. On ABC iview

“We reveal how 'big plastic' used clever marketing campaigns to persuade consumers and environmental groups to carry the burden by recycling rather than reducing the amount of plastic manufactured, allowing exponential growth.”

A very disturbing expose of the way that we have been conned by the plastics industry, with most collected plastics not being recycled. A US program, but it is hard to imagine that things are any different here. We need to step up the campaign to ban single-use plastics! Available until Sept 9.

If you have something to contribute to The Minder, email Ken: ken@kenrookes.com.au