In Darwin, Indigenous Guardians of Land and Sea meet, under auspices of United Nations
On Monday, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 
Indigenous Peoples James Anaya stressed the importance of governments recognising international instruments that protect the basic rights of native people………
The international network of indigenous and local community land and sea managers recently became an official part of the United Nations after the government of Australia handed over its management to the Equator Initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Guardians of the Land and Sea Meet in Darwin By Milagros Salazar DARWIN, Australia , May 28 2013 (IPS) – “Are you a park ranger?” IPS asked. “No, I am one of the owners of the territory,” Ángel Durán responded in a firm voice. The Bolivian indigenous leader is in this northern Australian city along with 1,200 other native delegates from over 50 countries for the World Indigenous Network (WIN) conference.
Durán, who was born in and lives on a collectively-owned native territory, is attending the conference in representation of eight native groups from Bolivia’s Amazon region that total more than 20,000 people.
Although he is not on the programme as an official speaker and can only communicate in Spanish, this is not stopping him from sharing his knowledge and experiences with other indigenous leaders walking from one auditorium to another at WIN headquarters in Darwin, the capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory.
The meeting, supported by the Australian government, runs May 26-29, with presentations of successful projects for the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, the sustainable use of protected natural areas, and the development and food security of indigenous peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other countries like Canada or Australia itself. Continue reading
By 2020 renewables will account for 22 per cent of electricity supply – RET is working
Renewable energy on target for 22% by 2020 REneweconomy, By Ric Brazzale 29 May 2013 The Renewable Energy Target (RET) has come under increasing scrutiny as the level of electricity consumption has fallen. There is confusion over how the RET has been calculated, and particularly in relation to how the initial 20 per cent target has been converted into a fixed target. This Research Note explains in detail how the numbers fit together.
A summary of the key points are as follows:
• The RET policy commitment is for at least 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply to come from renewable energy. Minister Combet when introducing the legislation to separate the RET in June 2010 made it clear that the government expected renewables to account for 22 per cent market share by 2020. At this time, the legislation which gave rise to the 22 per cent expected market share, had support from all the major political parties.
• We expect that renewables will increase from 10.6 per cent of total generation in 2011 to 22.5 per cent by 2020 (Figure 1). Forecast total generation is based on the Bureau of Resource and Energy Economics (BREE) latest energy projections. Total renewable generation is expected to reach 67.9 TWh by 2020. This incorporates the contribution of large-scale renewables as well as the expected generation from small-scale solar and avoided generation from solar water heaters. Coincidentally BREE also estimates that by 2020 renewables will account for 22 per cent of electricity supply…… http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/renewable-energy-on-target-for-22-by-2020-2020
Traditional owners, Central Land Council, unions marched in Tennant Creek, against nuclear waste dump
Waste dump opponents ‘not going to back down’ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-27/waste-dump-opponents-not-going-to-back-down/4715238 By Gail Liston May 27, 2013 More than 200 people have marched in Tennant Creek to protest against a nuclear waste dump planned for Muckaty Station north of the town.
Traditional owner Diane Stokes says the chairman of the Central Land Council (CLC), Maurie Ryan, addressed the rally, declaring the CLC will support the protesters. Mr Ryan told the crowd, the CLC is on a collision course with the Northern Land Council over how they have handled the Muckaty nomination. Ms Stokes says it is time the CLC takes control of the country as far north as Elliott to support traditional owners in their bid to stop the dump going ahead.
“We were saying before about the boundaries to be put back now because Central Land Council is very strong on helping us out, supporting us in getting the boundary back to Elliott,” she said.
She says representatives from Unions NT and the CLC travelled to Tennant Creek to join the rally. “I’m very happy that we’ve marched and I know I want these people out there to know that we’re still standing strong and I want to let the supporters know that I want to thank them for supporting us,” she said.
Natalie Wasley from the Beyond Nuclear Initiative says the protesters recognise that the proposed nuclear waste dump is not just an NT issue. “This is shaping up to be a very important issue in the Northern Territory for the federal election and so that was expressed very strongly at the rally, that people are going to be knocking [on] the doors of all the candidates and asking where they stand and are they going to stand up for the Territory on this issue,” she said.
She says it has been six years since the site was nominated and no-one is planning to give up the fight. “It was noted that this Muckaty campaign has outlasted many federal ministers, chief ministers and chairpeople and CEOs of the Northern Land Council,” she said.
“The community is absolutely resolute and they’re not going to back down. “They’re going to build up and radioactive waste is going to last even longer than all of those politicians.”
Toro Energy’s Wiluna uranium unlikely to make a profit
So how do the economics of the Wiluna project stack up? According to our modelling – based on Toro Energy’s own cost figures ?– not well……
Why Wiluna is worth watching, Business Spectator, Rod Campbell, 28 May 13 What could be Western Australia’s first uranium mine is unlikely to turn a profit unless costs to clean up the mine can be made to disappear.
Our modelling of the economics of Toro Energy’s Wiluna uranium project found that the mine is unviable if Toro Energy has to pay even optimistic estimates for the decommissioning and rehabilitation of the site.
The public and the environment have quite a stake in most mining projects and uranium projects in particular. Not only is it the public’s own mineral resources that are being sold – it’s often forgotten that all mineral resources are held by the Crown in the name of the public – but the environmental impacts of mine closure can be serious if not carried out properly.
Properly cleaning up a uranium mine can be an expensive business, so here’s why the public should be interested in the finances of mining projects – if in 2030 Toro Energy cannot foot the bill, Western Australians will face the unpleasant choice of paying the bill or accepting a degraded, potentially radioactive landscape. Continue reading
From Flat Earth to Creation Science to Climate Denial to Wind Turbine Syndrome
The director of the Institute of Public Affairs’ deregulation unit, Alan Moran, will also address the rally on “the failed economics of 
wind power”.
Serial ratbag, radio demagogue and leader of the rent-a-rage crowd, Alan Jones, will act as ring master at the circus.
Wind power in the sights of climate change deniers the Australian Environment Foundation http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/wind-power-in-the-sights-of-climate-change-deniers-the-australian-environment-foundation/story-e6frerdf-1226651595470 by:Paul Syvret :The Courier-Mail May 28, 2013 DUANE Gish was an American biochemist, best known for his unshakeable belief in creationism over evolution.
When debating his detractors, he would seek to overwhelm them by spewing forth a torrent of pseudo-science, half truths and utter fancy rapidly shifting over a multitude of angles, leaving his opponents little hope of refuting the barrage of BS in any reasoned or logical fashion, and certainly not within the confines of a formal debate.
The technique has come to be known as the “Gish Gallop”, which Project Reason founder Sam Harris once described as “starting 10 fires in 10 minutes” and leaving your opponent no opportunity to douse every falsehood, no matter how brazen the untruth.
Another Made in America phenomenon in recent years has been astroturfing, where vested interests establish a (arm’s length) movement that is ostensibly independent or grassroots yet largely serves to further their own ends. This is particularly prevalent in areas of environmental debate such as climate science, and gun law reform.
A case in point here is the Australian Environment Foundation, which was spun out of the IPA back in 2005. Continue reading
King Island community split by influx of anti wind energy campaigners
it didn’t take long for the discredited anti-wind group – the so called “Waubra Foundation” and their backers – to line up the locals opposed to the proposal. How this can be called a “Foundation” escapes this correspondent. Sandi Keane has written extensively in Independent Australia about the dubious credentials of this group, their murky sources of finances and clear links to the fossil fuel lobby. A mind-boggling chart of the web of interests can be found in Professor Simon Chapman’s article in Crikey…..
King Island’s collateral damage from anti-wind forces Independent Australia 28 May 13 Part-time King Island resident, David Looker, despairs of what he calls “collateral damage” as TasWind engages with residents in a battle to win support for its $2 billion proposal to build Australia’s biggest wind farm.
KING ISLAND sits at the western end of Bass Strait and is bisected by the 40th degree of latitude, which puts the lower half of the island literally in the Roaring Forties. The weather may be fine and windy, wet and windy, cloudy and windy — but it will be windy……
The consistent winds of the Roaring Forties have attracted TasWind, a division of Hydro Tasmania, to target the Island as the potential site of a 200-tower, 600MW capacity mega wind farm that would include a high voltage, undersea cable, enabling the electricity to be exported to the mainland, probably nearGeelong.
E3 Planning in Hobart prepared a Preliminary Socio Economic Impact Study for TasWind. This is a respected company, well-known on King Island but, of course, in the eyes of critics, suddenly not “independent” as this study was commissioned by Hydro Tasmania. E3 estimates the economic benefits to King Island to be between $255.75 and $310.65 million and points to substantial benefits to Australian renewable energy targets: Continue reading
First World Indigenous Network (WIN) Conference opens in Darwin
World Indigenous Network 5 Day Conference Underway In Australia By Albert Oppong-Ansah Ghana News -SpyGhana.com 28 May 13 The inaugural World Indigenous Network (WIN) Conference has formally been opened in the Northern Territory capital of Darwin, Australia.
The five day conference, which is being attended by about 1,500 delegates from over 50 countries including Ghana, would share stories, knowledge, cultural experiences and ideas on how to better manage ecosystems, protect the environment and support sustainable livelihoods…….
Dr Braulio F. de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said initiatives such as the WIN which recognized and thrives on local knowledge and actions was the surest method to achieve the Aichi target by the UN.
The Aichi target, he explained, seeks to reduce direct pressure on biodiversity and promote its sustainable use.
Dr Dias said traditional knowledge was the most efficient method of conserving the environment and called on governments to adopt such an approach.
Ms Eleen Ravin, Manager, Equator Initiative at the United Nations Development Programms, said WIN’s commitment to promoting local and indigenous knowledge and experience was a value closely shared by the Equator Initiative, and by UNDP as a whole.
“Although there are synergies between the vision of the Equator Initiative and that of the World Indigenous Network we see WIN as additional opportunity to build on our experience of working to connect local and indigenous land and sea managers,” she said.
Ms Ravin said UNDP recognised community-based approaches seriously because it could help nations to advance people-centered development solutions.
She said sharing similar values regarding the importance of utilizing local and indigenous knowledge was a tool for addressing some of the most pressing development and environmental issues facing the world today. http://www.spyghana.com/world-indigenous-network-5-day-conference-underway-in-australia/
While millions now have solar energy, Australia’s big utilities step up fight against it
Solar Power In Australia – The Battle Ahead http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3761 27 May 13 It’s no surprise to the renewables industry, but that solar actually works has been a surprise to Big Energy – and this is increasingly making fossil fuel generators very nervous.
Speaking at the Solar 2013 conference in Melbourne, the Australian Photovoltaic Association‘s Muriel Watt warned that incumbent energy businesses will step up their fight against solar in the form of regulatory and tariff protection and campaigns to demonise it.
The latter is by no means a new development – the solar industry has been fighting myths and misinformation for years.
According to an article on RenewEconomy, Ms. Watt says incumbent utilities would attempt to push back on solar using a considerable arsenal of possibilities. Continue reading
As Australians learn about cheaper renewable energy, most want to keep the carbon tax
Mixed Greens: Swing voters want carbon price to stay – poll REneweconomy, By Sophie Vorrath 28 May 2013
The Australian reports that the poll also showed that while 42 per cent of voters want the carbon pricing regime repealed, when given a message suggesting it would make renewable energy cheaper, that number falls to 35 per cent. The poll also showed that, when given this positive message, the number of voters who thought carbon pricing should be given a chance to work rose from 39 per cent to 45 per cent. Of Labor voters, 76 per cent think the carbon price should be given a chance; and 77 per cent of Greens voters. But 65 per cent of Liberal voters want the carbon price repealed, reports The Australian…. eneweconomy.com.au/2013/mixed-greens-swing-voters-want-carbon-price-to-stay-poll-65575
In 2001 Australia’s Liberal Party began the Renewable Energy Target, but now backtrackng on it
Renewable Energy Projects in Australia Shelved Until September Election Results International Business Times,By Athena Yenko | May 27, 2013 Future plans of further developing the Infigen renewable energy project in Canberra and other related projects has come in a standstill as Australia waits for September election results…… Meanwhile, the challenge in changing or developing renewable energy projects is on opposition leader Tony Abbott. The challenge is politically risky for Mr. Abbott not only because there is a multi-billion of dollars at risk but more importantly because the campaign for renewable energy is Conservative’s “baby project.”
It is to be recalled that in 2001, the conservative government introduced the world-first mandatory target for renewable energy. The decision followed scientific warnings of global warming and pressure from the public to act on the ten-year drought…….
During Labor’s seat in power in 2007, laws were passed requiring that 20 per cent of power will come from renewable energy come 2020. The said law stated that fixedRenewable Energy Target of 41,00 gigawatt hours from solar, geothermal and win. This was supported by certified certificates saying that to make renewable energy more usable than coal generators, the RET will be supported by 41 million tons of greenhouse produced from national emissions yearly.
But as Australia waits for the September 14 results, all planned remained hanging in the air.
Nathan Fabian, head of Australia’s Investor Group on Climate Change, said that “We expect changes. We don’t know what they’ll be. But the uncertainty is having a crippling effect on the market. We don’t see any clear long-term policy direction on the climate or energy sector from the opposition. And until that is clear, capital is sitting on the sidelines.”
Mr. Fabian and Australia’s Investor Group on Climate Change had investments with approximately $900 billion in funds – a great risk they fear if the industry suffers because of the change in political seats. The group’s investments include pension funds and major international banks.http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/471478/20130527/renewable-energy-projects-australia-september-14-elections.htm#.UaUITdJwpLs
A Liberal Tea Party to fight wind energy- June 18, at Parliament House
Libs defy party on wind farms http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/libs-defy-party-on-wind-farms-20130525-2n3rn.html#ixzz2UWrz9qhn May 26, 2013 Chris Johnson National Political Correspondent Come clean”: The boldness of the Liberal windfarm opponents is raising suggestions the Coalition is about the back-flip on the renewable energy target. Outspoken Liberal MPs plan to defy publicly the official party line by attending a Tea Party-style anti-wind-farm rally at Parliament House, widening the rift in Coalition ranks over renewable energy targets.
The Canberra rally on June 18 is being promoted through a clandestine group using a website called stopthesethings.com, which conceals the identity of many of its supporters. Broadcaster Alan Jones is named on the site as master of ceremonies for the event, which is being touted as the ”Wind Power Fraud” rally.
NSW Liberal MPs Craig Kelly and Alby Schultz are among the line-up of speakers, as is West Australian Liberal senator Chris Bach. The Coalition’s star candidate to replace the retiring Mr Schultz in the seat of Hume Angus Taylor has also been recruited. The boldness of the Liberal wind-farm opponents is raising suggestions the Coalition is about to backflip on the renewable energy target, a bipartisan commitment to source a fifth of Australia’s power from renewables by 2020.
The shadow environment minister Greg Hunt recently confirmed the party’s commitment to the target and chose not to chastise the MPs who had begun speaking out against it. ”The Coalition is aware of the community concerns regarding wind farms,” Mr Hunt said. ”We have committed to a full medical research into the potential impact if elected. It is important that MPs listen to their communities … there is no change to our support for the 20 per cent target.”
During a post-budget interview with Mr Jones, shadow treasurer Joe Hockey would not be drawn on the issue, saying only that he would have to consult with his colleagues. The rally’s organisers are goading Mr Hockey to ”come clean” over renewable energy.
Victorian senator John Madigan (Democratic Labor) and independent South Australian senator Nick Xenophon will also speak. The pair has co-sponsored of an excessive noise bill in relation to wind farms. Senator Xenophon said he was invited through Senator Madigan’s office and didn’t really know who was behind the rally.
”I don’t look at all my invitations that closely,” he said. ”But I am happy to talk at the event and I will say that, while I do believe something should be done about climate change, the economics of wind farms don’t stack up and neither do the environmental benefits.” Senator Madigan’s office confirmed he was scheduled to address the gathering.
Environmental groups did not wish to comment, but it’s understood plans are being considered to stage a Canberra event in support of renewable energy on the same day.
No, Michael Angwin, uranium is NOT a “normal” resource like any other
rather than being a normal Australian mineral export, uranium has all sorts of political and security ramifications, which Michael Angwin chooses to ignore.
Reader riposte: Normalisation of uranium http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2013/05/27/Reader-riposte-Normalisation-of-uranium.aspx By Reader Riposte – 27 May 2013 Richard Broinowski writes:
Michael Angwin believes that the ‘normalisation’ of Australian uranium policy is almost complete, and that uranium should be dealt with like any other Australian resource. He misses the rather salient point that uranium exports can never be ‘normalised’ because unlike any other natural mineral except thorium, uranium makes nuclear weapons. Strict safeguards should attach to every shipment, and customers should be carefully vetted as to their motives in buying it. Continue reading
Energy Savings Agency – a practical proposal by The Greens
Australian Greens Propose Energy Savings Agency http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3760 27 May 13, Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne says an ‘Energy Savings Agency’ will make Australia’s energy system fairer, cheaper and cleaner.
Announcing the plan on Friday, Senator Milne saidFederal and State Governments had failed to prevent a blowout in spending on poles and wires; accusing some state governments on profiting from their electricity assets.
“Selling less electricity is not in their interest which is why reform of the energy market is too slow and why intervention is vital.”The Greens say the Federal Government had committed to fast-tracking establishment of a National Energy Savings Initiative to replace state-based energy
efficiency trading schemes, but three years on is yet to complete a Regulatory Impact Statement.
The proposed Energy Savings Agency would be an independent agency charged with disseminating information, analysis, advocacy and financial support to break down barriers to cheaper and cleaner energy options; such as solar power.
The Greens believe the Agency would also drive down power bills by achieving $1 billion in energy savings – energy efficiency is not only the low hanging fruit in slashing power bills; but also in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, a reduction of 3000 MW of peak demand would be achieved and 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions avoided.
The Energy Savings Agency would also ensure solar power system owners are paid a fair rate for the surplus electricity they export to the mains grid.
According to a paper (PDF) released to coincide with the announcement, “fair value” for solar electricity has been underestimated to date as benefits such as avoided electricity distribution costs and time of production were undervalued.
Targets set under the Agency would initially be ‘collaborative targets’; becoming mandatory targets if networks “do not respond adequately to the targets in this form within 18 months”.
Senator Milne said the proposal has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office and will cost $405 million to run each year.
Tasmania’s remarkable renewable energy opportunities
Plug into renewable energy, report urges http://www.examiner.com.au/story/1528260/plug-into-renewable-energy-report-urges/?cs=12 By CALLA WAHLQUIST, May 26, 2013, TASMANIA would become a net exporter of renewable energy by 2020 under a blueprint for climate action due to be released by the Tasmanian Climate Action Council tomorrow.
It suggests a range of measures to ensure Tasmania reaches its target of reducing carbon emissions by 60 per cent of 1990 levels by 2050, including introducing new energy efficiency standards for buildings and establishing fair renewable energy feed-in tariffs to encourage homes and businesses to generate their own electricity.
Homes that feed back into the grid from solar panels currently get 27 cents per kilowatt hour, but that could drop as low as eight cents per hour when Aurora Energy is split and the retail arm privatised in July.
Council chairwoman Lesley Hughes said the council would discuss the impending reduction of the tariffs in a meeting today and make a submission to government.
Climate Change Minister Cassy O’Connor said the council was the government’s peak advisory body on climate change, and its blueprint would inform the development of the government’s own climate plan, to be released later this year.
Ms O’Connor said Tasmania had already reduced its emissions by 30 per cent on 1990 levels. “There’s a huge economic opportunity here for Tasmania if we continue to build resilience into our economy, if we continue to move toward a low-carbon economy, then we can have a prosperous and sustainable future,” Ms O’Connor said.
“We can be a beacon to the world of sustainability and innovation.”
Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said he would not comment on the blueprint until he had seen it, but said the Liberal Party’s priorities were the re-establishment of frontline police, education and health services and revitalising the state’s economy.
First Nations Sovereignty Challenge to Australian Government
Anderson challenges Prof. George Williams and the Commonwealth Attorney-general to publicly debate First Nations continuing Sovereignty at the Sydney Opera House.
Michael Anderson, Convenor of the Sovereign Union of First Nations and Peoples in Australia said today: “A recent comment[1] made by one of Australia’s leading constitutional lawyers, Prof George Williams, demonstrates the incapacities on non-Aboriginal legal experts to see beyond the legal system that they are sworn to serve and uphold. Prof Williams was responding to statements by Fred Hooper on the recent Declaration of Independence by the Murrawarri Nation.
“Clearly Prof Williams lacks objectivity in his radio interview with The Wire, because his teachings and his practice focus primarily on the system that affords him his status in his society, which is the same society that seeks to steal our patrimony, citizenship and usurp our sovereignty without any legal foundation.
“Many established lawyers fail to come to terms with other aspects of the Mabo decision. As a constitutional expert, surely Prof Williams understands, when the High Court held in Mabo that competing sovereignties between Aboriginal Nations and the colonial Australian state come face to face, no domestic municipal courts within Australia have the capacity to rule over issues of competing sovereignties. Continue reading
1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 