The Greens are calling on NSW Labor MPs to reject Premier Morris Iemma’s push to sell off NSW electricity generators and retailers and follow the lead of their federal leader Kevin Rudd who has just ratified the Kyoto protocol.

Greens NSW MP John Kaye said: “Premer Iemma’s privatisation plan is designed not only to rip off a windfall profit for state revenue but also to build a new coal fired power station.

“Both private ownership and more coal burning will push up this state’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“Meanwhile Prime Minister Rudd has ratified the Kyoto protocols. As the United Nations’ chief climate negotiator Yvo de Boer points out, the legal binding agreement will impose financial penalties if this nation fails to reach its targets. (more…)

Leaders of the Mutitjulu community today questioned the need for a military occupation of their small community.

We welcome any real support for indigenous health and welfare and even two police will assist, but the Howard Government declared an emergency at our community over two years ago - when they appointed an administrator to our health clinic - and since then we have been without a doctor, we have less health workers, our council has been sacked all our youth and health programmes have been cut. (more…)

World Environment Day, June 5

NASA photograph

Original caption: “View of the Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew traveling toward the moon. This translunar coast photograph extends from the Mediterranean Sea area to the Antarctica south polar ice cap. This is the first time the Apollo trajectory made it possible to photograph the south polar ice cap. Note the heavy cloud cover in the Southern Hemisphere. Almost the entire coastline of Africa is clearly visible. The Arabian Peninsula can be seen at the northeastern edge of Africa. The large island off the coast of Africa is Madagascar. The Asian mainland is on the horizon toward the northeast.” (Wikipedia)

The topic for World Environment Day for 2007 is “Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?” During International Polar Year, WED 2007 focuses on the effects that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, on other ice- and snow-covered areas of the world, and the resulting global impacts.

http://www.anvilhill.org.au/

We will form a giant human sign that reads ‘Save Anvil Hill’ on Sunday 3rd June at midday. Please wear a blue shirt and bring blue ribbons or other blue things. Activities and entertainment are planned for Saturday and Sunday, with free camping on Saturday night.

The weekend will be fun and family friendly. There will be music, films, great cheap food (including vegetarian) and fun kids activities. There will be tours of the Anvil Hill site on Saturday and workshops on Anvil Hill, climate change and renewable energy.

Late last year, thousands of GetUp members rallied to save the oldest and largest collection of art on the planet - the Burrup rock carvings in Western Australia. It’s a little-known Indigenous site that includes one of the earliest identified images of a human face and the now-extinct Tasmanian Tiger. We’ve nearly succeeded in protecting it once and for all.

But behind the scenes, government power brokers and industry lobbyists are clamouring. Oil and gas giant Woodside say they support heritage listing - just so long as they can keep extracting liquefied natural gas from offshore. They’ve got a plan for a multi-billion dollar expansion at Burrup, even though suitable sites for long-term economic development exist a short distance down the coast.

We know decision-makers want to do the right thing, but they need our support. So we’re going to the people with the power to make the ultimate difference, from the WA State Premier to the Federal Environment Minister, and Woodside’s much-anticipated AGM next week. Whether or not you’ve spoken out before to save the Burrup, you can help tip the balance now by signing the petition below.
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/RespectTheRockArt (more…)

Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to phase out inefficient light bulbs would have more credibility if it also included measures to encourage CBD office blocks to turn their lights off at night, according to NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Phasing out inefficient light bulbs is a good idea, but turning the lights out altogether is even better,” he said.

“It is very easy for the Federal government to make commitments on issues that are ultimately the responsibility of state governments.

“Whoever wins government in NSW should take this one step further and ensure that the big end of town are making a fair contribution to increasing energy efficiency.

“How can government expect the average household to pay extra for energy efficient light bulbs when empty office towers in Sydney’s CBD are ablaze with light every night of the year? (more…)