The Great Anti-Fracking Bus Trip 2018
The NT Govt has released half of the Territory for CSG - it's a toxic disaster!
We are helping to get pastoralists and indigenous owners on a bus trip to SE Qld. and the Pilliga to see first hand what fracking does to farmland, water and country, and to hear from land owners and farmers there what a disaster it is.
This Chuffed fundraiser is to help cover the cost of fuel and cabin accommodation for the 10 days they will be on the road. You can donate directly, and you can bid on stuff in some Facebook Auctions coming up. Any amount helps.
AND can you please invite your friends to the Facebook page HERE too. It's as much about raising awareness as it is about raising money. Tell everyone - NO FRACKING OUR LAND OR WATER!
Thanks,
Dick & Bron Clarke
Donate at this Chuffed secure link:
Adani Fails To Pay For 12.5 Billion Litres Of Queensland Water
October 10, 2018
Lock the Gate says Adani’s failure to pay $18.5 million owed for water license should trigger the Queensland Government to cancel the licence.
In response to a question on notice in parliament Natural Resource Minister Anthony Lynham confirmed Adani did not pay for its license to take 12.5 billion litres of water from the Suttor River by the 1st July 2018 due date, and has in fact been granted a 12-month extension.
“Despite drought conditions the Queensland Government are continuing to give preferential treatment to Adani, essentially giving them an option on the water even though they haven’t paid for the licence” said Mackay Conservation Group Spokesperson, Maggie McKeown.
“The Queensland Government have always said they would hold Adani to the highest standards and strictest conditions, yet they seem unable to hold Adani to account when it comes to paying its way” said Lock the Gate spokesperson Ellie Smith.
“Adani continues to claim they are on track to start this mine and blame others for their delays and yet they are unwilling to invest $18.5m to sure up the water needed for the mine.
“The Queensland government should never have granted our water to Adani and now it has this chance to cancel the licence, it must act swiftly to do so.” said Ellie Smith.
Question on Notice detailing the Queensland Government giving Adani a 12-month extension to pay here.
Aussie Backyard Bird Count: 22-28 October 2018
Save the date — the Aussie Backyard Bird Count is back from 22-28 October 2018.
The #AussieBirdCount is a great way to connect with the birds in your backyard, no matter where your backyard might be — a suburban backyard, a local park, a patch of forest, a farm, down by the beach, or the main street of town.
To take part all you need is 20 minutes and your favourite outdoor space. Not only will you be contributing to BirdLife Australia's knowledge of Aussie birds, but there are also some great prizes on offer. Head to the website and register as a Counter today!
If you’ve taken part before and are registered for this year why not introduce someone else to the wonderful world of birding through this easy, fun, all-ages event? And if you're a teacher, check out our Bird Count curriculum-based lesson plans to get your students (or the whole school!) involved.
If you have questions about the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, please head to our FAQ page, where you’ll find more information about registering, participating, and troubleshooting.
28 days to go — and counting!
Newport Community Garden: Working Bee Second Sunday Of The Month
Newport Community Gardens Inc. is a not for profit incorporated association. The garden is in Woolcott Reserve.Objectives
Local Northern Beaches residents creating sustainable gardens in public spaces
Strengthening the local community, improving health and reconnecting with nature
To establish ecologically sustainable gardens for the production of vegetables, herbs, fruit and companion plants within Pittwater area
To enjoy and forge friendships through shared gardening.
Membership is open to all Community members willing to participate in establishing gardens and growing sustainable food.
Subscription based paid membership.
We meet at the garden between 9am – 12 noon
New members welcome
For enquiries contact newportcommunitygardenau@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/newportcg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newportcgnsw
Summary For Policymakers Of IPCC Special Report On Global Warming Of 1.5°C Approved By Governments
Incheon, Republic of Korea, October 8 – IPCC
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, the IPCC said in a new assessment. With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said on Monday.
The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C was approved by the IPCC on Saturday in Incheon, Republic of Korea. It will be a key scientific input into the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December, when governments review the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change.
"With more than 6,000 scientific references cited and the dedicated contribution of thousands of expert and government reviewers worldwide, this important report testifies to the breadth and policy relevance of the IPCC," said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC.
Ninety-one authors and review editors from 40 countries prepared the IPCC report in response to an invitation from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when it adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015.
The report's full name is Global Warming of 1.5°C, an IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. "One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes," said Panmao Zhai, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I.
The report highlights a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C, or more. For instance, by 2100, global sea level rise would be 10 cm lower with global warming of 1.5°C compared with 2°C. The likelihood of an Arctic Ocean free of sea ice in summer would be once per century with global warming of 1.5°C, compared with at least once per decade with 2°C. Coral reefs would decline by 70-90 percent with global warming of 1.5°C, whereas virtually all (> 99 percent) would be lost with 2°C.
"Every extra bit of warming matters, especially since warming of 1.5°C or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes, such as the loss of some ecosystems," said Hans-Otto Pörtner, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II.
Limiting global warming would also give people and ecosystems more room to adapt and remain below relevant risk thresholds, added Pörtner. The report also examines pathways available to limit warming to 1.5°C, what it would take to achieve them and what the consequences could be. "The good news is that some of the kinds of actions that would be needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C are already underway around the world, but they would need to accelerate," said Valerie Masson-Delmotte, Co-Chair of Working Group I.
The report finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require "rapid and far-reaching" transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities. Global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) would need to fall by about 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching 'net zero' around 2050. This means that any remaining emissions would need to be balanced by removing CO2 from the air.
"Limiting warming to 1.5°C is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics but doing so would require unprecedented changes," said Jim Skea, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III.
Allowing the global temperature to temporarily exceed or 'overshoot' 1.5°C would mean a greater reliance on techniques that remove CO2 from the air to return global temperature to below 1.5°C by 2100. The effectiveness of such techniques are unproven at large scale and some may carry significant risks for sustainable development, the report notes.
"Limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared with 2°C would reduce challenging impacts on ecosystems, human health and well-being, making it easier to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," said Priyardarshi Shukla, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III.
"The decisions we make today are critical in ensuring a safe and sustainable world for everyone, both now and in the future", said Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II.
"This report gives policymakers and practitioners the information they need to make decisions that tackle climate change while considering local context and people's needs. The next few years are probably the most important in our history," she said.
The IPCC is the leading world body for assessing the science related to climate change, its impacts and potential future risks, and possible response options.
The report was prepared under the scientific leadership of all three IPCC working groups. Working Group I assesses the physical science basis of climate change; Working Group II addresses impacts, adaptation and vulnerability; and Working Group III deals with the mitigation of climate change.
The Paris Agreement adopted by 195 nations at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in December 2015 included the aim of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change by "holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels."
As part of the decision to adopt the Paris Agreement, the IPCC was invited to produce, in 2018, a Special Report on global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. The IPCC accepted the invitation, adding that the Special Report would look at these issues in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty.
Global Warming of 1.5°C is the first in a series of Special Reports to be produced in the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Cycle. Next year the IPCC will release the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, and Climate Change and Land, which looks at how climate change affects land use.
The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) presents the key findings of the Special Report, based on the assessment of the available scientific, technical and socio-economic literature relevant to global warming of 1.5°C.
The Summary for Policymakers of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15) is available at https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15 or www.ipcc.ch.
Key statistics of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C
91 authors from 44 citizenships and 40 countries of residence
- 14 Coordinating Lead Authors (CLAs)
- 60 Lead authors (LAs)
- 17 Review Editors (REs)
133 Contributing authors (CAs)
Over 6,000 cited references
A total of 42,001 expert and government review comments
(First Order Draft 12,895; Second Order Draft 25,476; Final Government Draft: 3,630)
Background
The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C, known as SR15, is being prepared in response to an invitation from the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2015, when they reached the Paris Agreement, and will inform the Talanoa Dialogue at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24). The Talanoa Dialogue will take stock of the collective efforts of Parties in relation to progress towards the long-term goal of the Paris Agreement, and to inform the preparation of nationally determined contributions. Details of the report, including the approved outline, can be found on the report page. The report was prepared under the joint scientific leadership of all three IPCC Working Groups, with support from the Working Group I Technical Support Unit.
What is the IPCC?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments concerning climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies. It has 195 member states.
IPCC assessments provide governments, at all levels, with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies. IPCC assessments are a key input into the international negotiations to tackle climate change. IPCC reports are drafted and reviewed in several stages, thus guaranteeing objectivity and transparency.
The IPCC assesses the thousands of scientific papers published each year to tell policymakers what we know and don't know about the risks related to climate change. The IPCC identifies where there is agreement in the scientific community, where there are differences of opinion, and where further research is needed. It does not conduct its own research.
To produce its reports, the IPCC mobilizes hundreds of scientists. These scientists and officials are drawn from diverse backgrounds. Only a dozen permanent staff work in the IPCC's Secretariat.
The IPCC has three working groups: Working Group I, dealing with the physical science basis of climate change; Working Group II, dealing with impacts, adaptation and vulnerability; and Working Group III, dealing with the mitigation of climate change. It also has a Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories that develops methodologies for measuring emissions and removals.
IPCC Assessment Reports consist of contributions from each of the three working groups and a Synthesis Report. Special Reports undertake an assessment of cross-disciplinary issues that span more than one working group and are shorter and more focused than the main assessments.
Sixth Assessment Cycle
At its 41st Session in February 2015, the IPCC decided to produce a Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). At its 42nd Session in October 2015 it elected a new Bureau that would oversee the work on this report and Special Reports to be produced in the assessment cycle. At its 43rd Session in April 2016, it decided to produce three Special Reports, a Methodology Report and AR6.
The Methodology Report to refine the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories will be delivered in 2019. Besides Global Warming of 1.5°C, the IPCC will finalize two further special reports in 2019: the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate and Climate Change and Land: an IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems. The AR6 Synthesis Report will be finalized in the first half of 2022, following the three working group contributions to AR6 in 2021.
THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE With The Volantinsky Quartet
Avalon Bowling Club
4 Bowling Green Lane
Avalon Beach
Sat. 17 November 2018
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Hosted by Bill Leimbach
THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE was first screened 100 years ago this coming November. It is regarded as the supreme achievement of Australia’s Silent Film era. The heartfelt, sympathetic storytelling, its mixture of comedy with realistic Woolloomooloo backgrounds, and its Australian box office success played a major role in defining Australian national character on screen. The film is an adaptation of C.J. Dennis’ much-loved poem about an ex-convict who experiences the love of a good woman for the first time.
This newly restored copy will be presented with a live 100 minute musical accompaniment, composed and performed by The Volatinsky Quartet. The Quartet composed the music for this silent film, whose original score has long been lost. They play an exotic combination of instruments, with Russian-trained Lucy Voronov (cimbalom & hammer-dulcimer), impro-cellist Anatoli Torjinski (from Odessa), Kiev-trained mandolin/guitarist Stephen Lalor and master percussionist Jess Ciampa - all laced with the flavours of Russia, the Balkans and Australian quirky classics. They have been a headline act at WomAdelaide, Woodford and Fairbridge Festivals & their music is often heard on ABC FM.
The 100 minute film was directed by the famous Raymond Longford and the cast features the love of his life Lottie Lyell. It was lost for decades until found in a vault at New York’s Eastman Kodak, filed mistakenly as THE SENTIMENTAL BLONDE.
One of the prints made from the new negative was screened to renewed enthusiasm at the 1955 Sydney Film Festival, and its director Raymond Longford was discovered to be still alive, working as a nightwatchmen on the Sydney waterfront. The National Film and Sound Archive have allowed us this copy to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Avalon resident, Film Producer Bill Leimbach, will introduce the film and tell some of the story behind the making of this landmark collaboration of Raymond Longford & Lottie Lyell. The film transformed Lottie into Australia's first international film star. But she also contributed to the screenplay, art direction, editing and production. The British press called their film, "The best that has been made in Australia".
Lyell and Longford went on to form a very influential and pioneering partnership, making two or three films a year - half hour pieces, totally silent. They started a relationship but Longford could not marry her as his wife Melena would not give him a divorce until 1926 – the year after Lottie Lyell died – at the age of 35.
Today the couple are remembered with a most prestigious award named in their honour, the LONGFORD LYELL AWARD - the Australian film industry's highest accolade for an individual for their "unwavering commitment over many years to excellence in the film and television industries and has, through their body of work, contributed substantially to the enrichment of Australian screen culture". Since the introduction of the award by the AFI in 1968, winners have included Peter Weir, Tim Burstall, Bud Tingwall, David Stratton, George Miller, Phillip Adams, Phillip Noyce, Jack Thompson, Geoffrey Rush and Cate Blanchett.
Avalon Bowling Club will come alive with The Volantinski Quartet on stage accompanying the 100th anniversary of the film, playing to 150 lovers of film, history and exotic music.
Leimbach said, “I saw this SENTIMENTAL BLOKE accompanied by the QUARTET at a film festival in Queensland earlier this year. Everyone had such a wonderful festive night. I approached the Quartet to ask if they could come down to NSW and do the same. They answered excitedly, they would love to - they live in Elanora Heights!"
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity. There will be food, bar drinks and plenty of fun as we laugh and cry and dance in the memory of this great Australian achievement.
