Climate Camp 09 newsletter 9th September 2009
Climate Camp 09
Newsletter vol.1 09/09/09
Welcome
to the first Climate Camp 09 newsletter!
Contents:
1. Introduction to Climate Camp
2. Why Helensburgh?
3. Get Ready!
4. Events
5. Follow us around
1. Introduction to Climate Camp
Last year we camped up a storm in Newcastle, Over 1600 people participated in the camp across five inspirational days. Students, families, coal miners, unionists and the members of the local community were there. Together we talked up a storm, ate together, created a community based on direct democracy, laughed and then pulled off the largest non-violent direct action in the Australian climate movement's history.
This year there are over 20 climate camps happening across the world. Each is situated at a different target; each draws the link between local health and sustainability and global climate justice. This year, Climate Camp will be at coal mines, coal-fired power stations, a peat-fired power station in Ireland, an airport in France, a nuclear reactor in Lapland, the European Carbon Exchange in London and so much more.
In Australia:
12-13 September:Switch off Hazlewood, VIC
24-27 September:Climate Camp Port Augusta, SA
9-11 October:Climate Camp Helensburgh, NSW
17-20 December:Climate Camp Collie, WA
Climate Camp 09 - Helensburgh
Throughout the three-day camp there are opportunities to learn about climate change and effects on people and the planet. Climate Camp adopts a climate justice framework: issues are discussed in a way that puts
fairness at the forefront. Workshops, speakers and discussion focus on the current problems associated with coal mining in the Southern Coal Fields, including damage to drinking water catchments, as well as how coal-dependent communities can lead the transition to renewable energy, begin good new jobs and clean industries.
2. Why Metropolitan Mine?
Actions Speak Louder than Words
For all the words, accronyms and political spin coming from Federal and State governments, labour and coal-olition, they have us on track for the largest expansion of coal of the modern era. Its estimated that
government policies will see a rise in NSW greenhouse gas emissions in the next year from 150 million tonnes to 165.4 million tonnes.
One of the most absurd decisions that has been made by the NSW Government is the approval for the $50 million expansion of longwall mining at Metropolitan Collieries. The mine is owned by U.S giant Peabody
Energy, the worlds largest private sector coal company. They plan to produce 2.8 million tonnes of coal each year and extend the mine's life by a further 23 years. The expansion will result in an additional 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
The Longwall mining involves the removal of coal from long shafts then allowing the mine roof to collapse. Underground longwall mining causes large areas of surface to crack and tilt as coal is removed and the earth settles back to fill the empty space. The NSW Scientific Committee declared longwall mining processes used at
Metropolitan as a ‘key threatening process' to the water catchment. The area supplies 20% of Sydney's drinking water, and all of the Illawarra regions supply. Operations at the mine so far have already caused irrapearable damage to our water catchments, causing rivers to run dry, swamps to die and a reduction in the water levels of storage dams. Lucky Sydney and Australia doesn't have any issues with water...
Whilst governments talk the talk about reducing emissions and protecting our water supply, they are walking are very different walk. At Climate Camp our actions will speak louder than their words.
3. Get Ready!
Less than five weeks to Climate Camp. There's plenty to do. Who are you going to bring? What stuff do you need? Do you have a neighbourhood and action team lined up yet?
Up-do-date information about how to get ready for Climate Camp is here:
http://www.climatecamp.org.au/get-ready
Keep your eye on this page in the lead up to camp.
4. Events
Heres a list of great events coming up where you learn more about Climate Camp and climate action, and some opportunities to chip-in some dosh for the camp. There will also be a very special public meeting
happening in Helensburgh, full details of that will be avialable on the website soon!
09 September: Newcastle Fundraiser
What: Paul Spencer, Charlotte and the Nightmare, Matt McFarlane, Rob Burns and more acts TBC
plus pub quiz and raffle
Where: At the Lass O'Gowrie, Railway St Wickham
When: 9th September 9pm - midnight
16 September: Illawarra Public Forum: Beyond Coal
What: The Illawarra has a long coal mining tradition. But coal mining causes problems that we can't ignore. This is the first of a series of public forums to discuss political, economic and environmental concerns about coal and climate change, and to put forward ideas for making a change for the better.
Where: The Aboriginal Centre, 22 Kenny St, Wollongong
When: Sep 16, 2009 06:30 pm - 09:00 pm
17 September: Southern Coalfields Forum
What: Come learn about the effects coalmining is having on our water catchments in the southern coalfields and a bit about climate camp. Speakers include Julie from Rivers SOS.
Where: UNSW, Centre Lecture Block
When: 1pm-2pm
17 September: Climate Camp Fundraiser gig
What: C'mon kids and get your dancing shoes on!
Who's playing: The Crooked Fiddle Band, Nadeena Dixon, Mark Lagana, The Carl Steward Band, Ungus Ungus Ungus.
Where: The Red Rattler Theatre, 6 Faversham st, Marrickville
When: Doors open at 7pm $15/$10 concession
18 September: Moblizing for Climate Action
What: Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Research Centre (CCS) seminar presenting the first papers from the climate action research project 2008-2009 (Based on Climate Camp last year). James Goodman, Rick Flowers and
Rebecca Pearse will each present papers traversing three interrelated themes: narrative and identity (the people), climate change (the issue), and learning in social action (the movement).
Where:Seminar
Room, Level 3, MaryAnn House, UTS, 645 Harris St, Ultimo (5 min walk from Central railway station)
When: 4-6pm Friday 18 September 2009
21 September: Climate Action Update
What: Hear the latest climate action news from Greens Senator Christine Milne and NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon.
Where: Redfern Town Hall - Pitt Street, Redfern
When: 6:30pm - 9:00 pm
26 September: Beer Garden Delights at The Lass, Newcastle
What: Featuring (in order of appearance)
- Paul Spencer -political original punch
- Le Minibus -gypsy hillbilly whatever
- Hanna Gissane -comedian
- Bobby Paquet -solo guitar pickin rags
- Tim Crossey - the worlds youngest derro sings about his life
-
Alice Williams & Kira Puru - original sirens doin' blues n trad
sounds
And more.....featuring Le Minibus out of retirement!
$10 door charge - kids free
Jay's fab bistro will be open.
For
more info call: 0425 315 665
Where:The Lass O'Gowrie - beer garden: kids welcome!
When: 1pm-7pm
5. Follow us around
Website
The first place you wanna check out is the Climate Camp 09 Website. It's got the latest videos and info all there for you. Subscribe for updates and this newsletter on the main page.
You
can find Climate Camp NSW on facebook and you can find the event
listing for Climate Camp 09 here.
Follow
ClimateCampNSW on twitter for up to the minute news, info and links.
