Call to organisations to support Ecodefense against Russian government crackdown
Organisations are asked to endorse the solidarity statement immediately below.
Individuals and organisations are asked to write to the Russian government –
Solidarity Statement for Ecodefense
Organisations willing to endorse the following statement are asked to contact Friends of the Earth France (lucie.pinson@amisdelaterre.org) or WISE Amsterdam (info@wiseinternational.org) as soon as possible.
On July 21st, the Russian government included one the oldest environmental non-governmental organization Ecodefense on the Ministry of Justice “foreign agent” roster. As national and international organizations from many countries, we strongly condemn this decision that criminalizes environmental defenders and supporters of social and environmental justice.
We strongly condemn this decision of the Russian authorities that was taken while proceedings to determine their status have either not yet concluded or even started and that leaves some these organizations without any recourse to contest this labelling.
We are very concerned about the adoption of the “foreign agent” law in November 2012 and the motivations for this adoption as only this environmental organization – Ecodefense − and several more human rights groups are listed in the “foreign agents” roster right now.
While the Russian authorities should protect human rights and support the organizations that help it to do so by bringing human rights violations in Russia to light, this decision illustrates threaten even more democratic rights and leave Russian citizens under the threat of arbitrary choices.
We also particularly condemn the listing of the environmental association Ecodefense for the campaign against Baltic nuclear plant construction near Kaliningrad. Protesting nuclear power cannot be considered as a crime and discussing risks of nuclear is a democratic right. We have been working with Ecodefense for many years and acknowledged the quality of its work as an organization that works independently from any other political power for the people and the environment in Russia and elsewhere.
We urge you to stop repression and let Ecodefense as other environmental and human rights organizations work free in Russia. We called the Russian authorities to reverse their decision to include Ecodefense on the “foreign agent” roster and repeal the November 2012 “foreign agent” law, which brings under threat civil and democratic rights.
Submissions due by 11 August on BHP proposal for heap leach trial at Olympic Damn uranium mine
Invitation for Public Comment on Referral28 Jul 2014
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=show_document;doc
ument_id=57947;proposal_id=7280
The Commonwealth Environment Minister has received a referral under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in regard to a
proposal by BHP Billiton to construct a heap leach trial demonstration plant
for the leaching of copper and uranium at the Olympic Dam mine in South
Australia. The referral states that the demonstration plant is intended as
a pilot-scale assessment and proof of concept for heap leach technology at
the mine, and that the pilot program will process less than 0.4% of the
mine’s current output of ore. It is planned to consist of a temporary
irrigated heap leach pad containing approximately 36,000 tonnes of material,
a temporary crushing facility, ponds for the capture of liquor, as well as
downstream processing facilities.
The referral triggers a number of ‘matters of national environmental
significance' under the EPBC Act. It automatically qualifies as a ‘nuclear
action’ under the legislation; the referral has also identified that four
listed threatened species and five listed migratory species are either
present, or potentially present, within the proposed development area.
Submissions are due by 11 August.
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral
_detail&proposal_id=7280> EPBC Act referral – Olympic Dam mine uranium and
copper heap leach trial
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_
detail
<http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral
_detail&proposal_id=7280> &proposal_id=7280
Title of Referral: BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Corporation Pty
Ltd/Mining/Olympic Dam, Roxby Downs, SA/SA/Olympic Dam Heap Leach Trial,
Roxby Downs, SA
Sydney Hiroshima Day Rally – Sunday August 3
Hiroshima Never Again! Rally Sunday August 3 at 12 noon in Hyde Park North (near Archibald Fountain) http://indymedia.org.au/2014/07/29/hiroshima-never-again-rally-sunday-august-3-at-12-noon-in-hyde-park-north-near-archibald- Wed 30 Jul 2014 This year’s Hiroshima Day anti-war rally to be held on Sunday August 3 at 12 noon in Hyde Park North (near Archibald Fountain)
Speakers will be Dr Helen Caldicott on Hiroshima Never Again, Ian Rintoul on war creates refugees and Dr Hannah Middleton on the Marshall Islands fight back.
Actor Terry Serio will read a statement and we will be joined by Japanese drummers and dancers and Korean drummers as well as singer Debbie Tennant.
Time to say NO to uranium mining in Queensland
Uranium Mines in Qld? http://workersbushtelegraph.com.au/2014/07/03/uranium-mines-in-qld/ QLD: Open for business? As of July 1, the Newman government is accepting applications for uranium mines in Queensland.Canadian company Mega Uranium can now apply to start mining at Ben Lomond, 50ks from Townsville. Laramide Resources, also Canadian, will now be able to develop its site Westmoreland near the NT border. Summit Resources an “Australian-based” – (multinationally owned) company will be looking to open up sites near Mt Isa…
at Speakers Corner -outside Queensland Parliament House (George Street Entrance)………
July 1 2014, the Newman government opens the door to uranium mine approvals.
Hiroshima. Chernobyl. Fukushima. Mary Kathleen. Kakadu. Maralinga…
We have not forgotten.
Uranium is not a smart business option or job creator. Uranium = Death.
It is time to say no. Queensland Parliament will be sitting on August 6. Join us outside to say NO! to uranium mines and radioactive lies!
Appeal to release Natalie Lowrey
Express News. 28 Ju
ne 14 Natalie released on bail, with no conditions and will receive her passport
Natalie Lowrey, an environmental campaigner from Australia, is being held at the Kuantan Royal Malaysian Police Headquarters in the east coast state of Pahang, Malaysia. To date, the authorities have not charged her, but are holding her under two laws, the Immigration Act and the Peaceful Assembly Act.
Natalie was arrested along with 15 other Malaysians on Sunday, 22 June 2014, for being a part of a protest against the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) situated in Gebeng, Pahang which processes rare earths. Rare earth refining results in radioactive and acidic waste, and local community members have been concerned about the facility’s toxic legacy for future generations. Now, whileeveryone else has been released, Natalie continues to be detained in the lock up.
We therefore once again appeal to the Malaysian Government and the police to conclude the investigations quickly, not pursue any charges against Natalie and allow her to return to Australia safely.
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO SUPPORT NATALIE, AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/free_natalie_lowrey_aus/?bqFCVab&v=41735
Al Gore to visit Australia to this month tolaunch the Climate reality training project
Gore praises Obama ahead of Australia climate change training drive, Asian Correspondent ,By Rowena Dela Rosa Yoon Jun 05, 2014 Former US Vice President Al Gore is scheduled to visit Australia this month to lead a climate leadership training drive, shortly after US President Barack Obama’s historic announcement early this week directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate massive cuts on dirty carbon emissions.The 25th Climate Reality Leadership Corps training program will kick off on June 25-27 in Melbourne to teach participants about the science of climate change and how to communicate its effects.
Gore’s leadership training will mark another important event following initiatives of various NGOs towards decarbonising Australia. Last month, US economist Jeffrey Sachs led the launch of a low carbon economy initiative.
Gore, the Climate Reality Project chairman, praised Obama’s announcement to cut the nation’s dirty carbon emissions from the power sector by 30 percent nationwide below 2005 levels by 2030. This is equal to the emissions from powering more than half the homes in the United States for one year. The former VP said the clean energy initiative is the most crucial step towards combating the climate crisis.
We simply cannot continue to use the atmosphere as an open sewer for dirty and dangerous global warming pollution that endangers our health and makes storms, floods, mudslides and droughts much more dangerous and threatening – not only in the future, but here and now.
Gore reiterated that actions are taking place worldwide to address climate change but remained wary about special interest groups that continue to deny and spread misleading information to muddle and obfuscate the issue. He said denial of the linkage between carbon emissions and climate change is like denial of the link between tobacco and lung cancer. …He added that there are now technologies that can offer alternative sources of clean, efficient, and competitive renewable energy…….
Scientists in the Pacific welcome Obama’s clean energy plan. Radio Australia interviewed Dr. Padma Lal, an independent researcher on Climate Risk in the Pacific, who applauds the announcement and said it is urgent to take action to make the plan a reality.
She noted other countries – the major polluters – have already started taking action to reduce their carbon emissions, such as China, India, Brazil.
…..we would like to see other countries such as Australia and European nations to follow suit. Perhaps it’s a bit too early to say that this is actually going to happen, it’ll be interesting to see in tangible terms what actions are taken by the American state. From the Pacific point of view it really is urgent that they do take such measures… http://asiancorrespondent.com/123482/gore-praises-obama-sets-to-train-climate-leaders-in-australia/
Big utilities in Australia out to destroy renewable energy – Greenpeace launches petition
Big Energy Playing Dirty On Renewable Energy – Greenpeace http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4324 29 May 14, Greenpeace have launched a petition that they will deliver to the headquarters of Origin, AGL and Energy Australia ‘in a spectacular, public way that they won’t be able to ignore’. The ‘Dirty 3’, says Greenpeace, which control 77% of the residential energy market; are lobbying hard to destroy the strongest driver of renewable energy in Australia – the Renewable Energy Target.
“They just don’t want any competition. So they’re using their political muscle to try to destroy the Renewable Energy Target, which would lock out solar and wind and lock in higher household bills and climate-driving coal and gas power for decades to come.”
This isn’t just an environmental issue – cutting or abolishing the Renewable Energy Target will result in the loss of thousands of jobs, billions of dollars of investment and also increase electricity bills.
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the only parties that stand to benefit from a gutting of Australia’s Renewable Energy Target would be the fossil fuel based power generators; which would rake in 6-12 billion dollars in extra revenue from 2015 to 2020. Households would be $142 worse-off each year.
“The Dirty Three are trying to squeeze as much profit out of consumers as it can before their old business model is completely broken,” state’s Greenpeace’spetition page. “But while it suits them to harm renewable energy, it’s certainly not in the interests of the rest of us.”
Greenpeace is planning a hard-hitting and high profile campaign to expose what it says are the real motivations behind Origin Energy, AGL and Energy Australia’s stance on the RET; which will be launched in a few weeks.
“For now, let’s start by showing the Dirty Three – who rely on us for their revenue – that we’re not impressed when they play dirty. Every name on this petition is a potential customer lost, and a person with the power to spread the word to others,” says the group.
On World Environment Day – DUMP THE DUMP – No Muckaty radioactive waste dump
Dump the Dump: Radioactive Waste on Trial Support Muckaty Traditional Owners on World Environment Day
For the past seven years there has been sustained community opposition to a federal government plan to dump Australia’s radioactive waste on Aboriginal land at Muckaty in the Northern Territory. Now Traditional Owners opposed to the dump plan are taking their case to the Federal Court with a trial starting on June 2 in Melbourne.
Join us to discuss the court case and the way forward for the campaign and responsible radioactive waste management.
Speakers include lawyer Elizabeth McKinnon, Kevin Bracken (MUA), Natalie Wasley (Beyond Nuclear Initiative), Dave Sweeney (ACF), and MC Karrina Nolan (Oxfam Australia).
Musical interlude from Lucie Thorne and images and voices from the Muckaty lands.
Green Building
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Thursday June 5 − World Environment Day
6pm (snacks and images) for 6.30pm start, finishing 8pm.
Facebook event: Dump the Dump
Court proceedings begin on Monday 2nd June until Friday 6th June in Melbourne, before continuing in Tennant Creek and Darwin for the entire month. To support the Muckaty Traditional Owners in the Federal Court in Melbourne:
Federal Court Melbourne
Corner of William and La Trobe Streets
Monday June 2 from 9:30am
Supporters are welcome in the open courtroom all week
Contact: Gem 0421 955 066
Information on the nuclear dump plan: http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/
“We want to keep talking about it and continue to fight it until we are listened to. The big capital N-O. The Ngapa clan and the rest of the other totems in that land trust are all connected. We have connections to each other and are related to each other. We are the same tribe, the one ancestral cultural group of people who are the strong voice, and one voice, in that country.” − Dianne Stokes
Petitions for a commission: dump the Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan:
WGAR News: Petition for a commission: dump the Muckaty dump plan: Beyond Nuclear Initiative Indymedia Australia, Newsletter date: 16 May 2014
Contents:
* Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Petition for a commission: dump the Muckaty dump plan
* CommunityRun Petition: Dump the Muckaty Dump: Its time for responsible radioactive waste management
* NuclearFreeNT, YouTube: MUCKATY Television Advertisment
* Beyond Nuclear Initiative: May 25 Rally: No nuclear waste dump at Muckaty
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump in NT
* The Wire – West Arnhem Regional Council: Our environmental achiever [Featuring Alice Eather]
* Background to the Protect Arnhem Land Campaign, Northern Territory (NT)
* David Novak, 3CR Community Radio: Radioactive Show: “We speak with Kado Muir about the fourth annual Walkatjurra Walkabout”
* Background to the Western Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (WANFA)
* Respect and Listen – Mining: Flow of Voices [Featuring Jacky Green and Dr Seán Kerins]
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Native Title offer missing sea rights
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Culbong families take SWALSC to Federal Court on Noongar Title proposal
* Background to Mabo and Native Title
* BEYOND NUCLEAR INITIATIVE: PETITION FOR A COMMISSION: DUMP THE MUCKATY DUMP PLAN
– Petition
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Petition for a commission: dump the Muckaty dump plan
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/2014/05/09/petition_commission/
9 May 14: “Beyond Nuclear Initiative and Environment Centre of the NT have launched a television and social media campaign to raise awareness of the risks that the Muckaty waste dump plan poses to the health of Northern Territory communities, workers, waterways and the environment.
http://www.communityrun.org/p/NoMuckatyNuclearDump
These groups, and many more, are calling on the Federal Government to dump the Muckaty dump plan and instead initiate an expert and independent national commission to determine radioactive waste management options. We are aiming to reach 5000 signatures on the petition so please share the link above, and our video message, widely.”………..http://indymedia.org.au/2014/05/15/wgar-news-petition-for-a-commission-dump-the-muckaty-dump-plan-beyond-nuclear-initiative
Australia’s Radioactive Racism on show in the ‘Radioactive Exposure Tour’
Radioactive Exposure Tour hits Australia https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/56258 Saturday, April 12, 2014 By Rachel Evans The Friends of the Earth “Radioactive Exposure Tour” is taking place from April 12 to 27. Forty people will travel from Melbourne and Adelaide through to Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
The tour will take people to the heart of the Australian nuclear industry, exposing the realities of “radioactive racism” and the environmental impacts of uranium mining.
Organisers of the tour said: “The tours have been organised since the 1980s, and this year it will stop in Adelaide and Port Augusta, hearing some of the inspiring stories from the Irati Wanti campaign, the Gugada Tent Embassy and the British atomic tests of the 50s and 
60s. The tour will travel through Kokatha and Arabunna country, visit the Olympic Dam uranium mine and spend time with Arabunna elder Uncle Kevin Buzzacott.”
The tour will “witness sunset over Lake Eyre and the unique and fragile ecosystems of the Mound Springs, which have been devastated by the colossal water usage of the Olympic Dam mine. As we continue north to Alice Springs we’ll stop by Pine Gap to consider the Australian government’s complicity in the US war-machine and the outdated notion of ‘extended nuclear deterrence’. We’ll meet more inspiring people with a long history opposing the nuclear industry and the NT intervention in Alice Springs before continuing to Tennant Creek.”
Muckaty, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek, is an important part of the radioactive tour. Muckaty was the fourth site to be assessed as a potential radioactive waste dump site in the Northern Territory and the only area left under consideration.
As Beyond Nuclear Initiative points out: “In 2007 the Muckaty Land Trust was nominated as an additional site by the Northern Land Council, despite opposition from many Aboriginal traditional owners of the area.”
The National Radioactive Waste Management Act introduced by former resources minister Martin Ferguson maintains many provisions of the John Howard government’s laws. These “can be used to impose a nuclear waste dump in the NT against the wishes of both Aboriginal landholders and the NT government.”
[For more information, visit Radioactive Tour online]
Make a submission to keep Renewable Energy Target – ANYONE can do this!
Call For Renewable Energy Target Review Submissions http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4251 The Panel conducting Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) review has called for submissions.
The Panel has released a paper (PDF) to assist those preparing submissions; which close on 16 May 2014.
The announcement is the first official communication from the panel since the Federal Government released the Terms of Reference for the review in February. The review panel consists of Dick Warburton AO LVO, Dr Brian Fisher AO PSM, Shirley In’t Veld and Matt Zema.
The Clean Energy Council is urging all its members to contribute a submission.
“Now is the time to tell the Federal Government that you want Australia’s Renewable Energy Target left alone,” says the CEC’s Deputy Chief Executive. “Now we need your help to ensure the Australian Government understand what the people of Australia want, and what’s at risk for the renewable energy industry if they get this wrong.”
It’s not just industry participants who are invited to contribute a submission – anyone can.
Much is at risk if the Renewable Energy Target is abolished. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of future investment will be lost – and it will have little impact on reducing electricity prices for end consumers.
So far, the RET – which includes a large and small scale component – has generated more than $18.5 billion in investment and created more than 30,000 jobs at a current cost of between 3% – 5% of electricity bills; which will further decrease if the RET is left untouched.
The impact of the small scale solar component of the RET is already minimal and expected to halve over the next two years to less than 1% of a power bill. Further down the track, it will have zero net cost impact on household power bills.
The Renewable Energy Target provides support for the purchase of solar power systems. If that support is cut, it could add thousands of dollars onto the price of system; locking many Australians out of the opportunity to slash their power bills.
National Australia Bank and Clean Energy week
NAB A Major Sponsor Of Clean Energy Week http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4247National Australia Bank (NAB) will be the major conference sponsor for Australia’s largest clean energy industry event, Clean Energy Week 2014.”This major conference partnership between NAB and Clean Energy Week demonstrates NAB’s leadership and forward-thinking strategy for Australia’s future economic development,: said Clean Energy Council Deputy Chief Executive Kane Thornton.
“At a time when energy is at the crossroads and Australia’s Renewable Energy Target is under review, it’s great to see a major player in the finance sector like NAB recognise the importance of the $18 billion clean energy industry both now and in the future.”
NAB’s involvement in Australia’s clean energy future goes well beyond the sponsorship of this event. According to NAB Executive General Manager of Specialised Finance, Swati Dave, it is also the leading arranger of project finance to Australia’s renewable energy sector by market share; having arranged more than $1.8 billion of finance in the past eight years.
“At NAB we recognise the importance of the environment and the role it plays in our long-term sustainability, and the wellbeing and prosperity of our economy and communities,” she said. National Australian Bank was the first bank to provide finance for a large scale solar project in Australia; the 20MW Royalla solar farm near Canberra.
Clean Energy Week 2014 will be held across two venues and incorporate ATRAA (Australia’s largest solar event), a major trade exhibition and two awards programs.The Trade Show will be staged across 10,000 square meters of floor space and more than 100 companies from the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry will have a presence.
Clean Energy Week 2014 includes conference sessions focusing on wind power, large-scale solar, energy efficiency, off-grid, geothermal, bioenergy, marine power and cogeneration/trigeneration.
The event will be held in Sydney from 22 to 25 July 2014. Further details can be viewed at CleanEnergyWeek.com.au
EARTH HOUR 29 March : turn off the lights from 8.30 p.m – 9.30 p.m.
http://earthhour.org.au/take-action/ Join thousands of Australians and millions of people from around the world who are now climate leaders. Everyday Australians who want a safe future for their children, who want to be able to visit places like the Great Barrier Reef in years to come, who love clean energy and who believe acting on climate is just the right thing to do.
Start using your power to take serious acting on climate change. This includes;
- Your consumer power – to make responsible financial choices like making sure your superannuation isn’t invested in the fossil fuel industry;
- Your power as a friend or neighbour to have a conversation with those close to you about the need to act on climate change;
- Your power as a voter to let our politicians know that we expect them to act in our best interests and ensure Australia is doing our fair share to solve climate change;
- Your power as a home owner to use clean, renewable energy and help shift away from dirty fossil fuels.
Doctors and Secondary College present Anzac Eve Peace Event: Melbourne
ANZAC EVE PEACE EVENT Melbourne Thursday April 24th at 7pm After the war is over …
Kevin Foster academic, author: How the media shaped what we know about the war in Afghanistan.
Nouria Salehi biophysicist originally from Afghanistan: A civilian view of Afghanistan during and after war.
Peter Wigg psychiatrist: Why the Arms Trade Treaty matters.
Music: the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Brunswick Secondary College and the Home Brew Choir Poetry: performed by the students of Brunswick Secondary College
Followed by a light supper. Free entry: donations welcome. To book email: vicsec@mapw.org.au or call 9023 1958
Brunswick Secondary College Auditorium, Dawson Street, Brunswick (enter from Fallon Street)
Organised by the Medical Association for Prevention of War & Brunswick Secondary College
1 This month
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
– go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com/
Antinuclear 