COP26 – a last chance for the planet
The November meeting in Glasgow must, in the words of a recent report from developing countries that constitute over half the nations of the world, ‘be a summit of delivery [because] morally and practically, there can be no successful outcome at COP26 that does not deliver for the most vulnerable across the full range of issues. This is the last chance for rich countries to deliver the promised ‘solidarity package’. If this plan fails, COP26 fails’
The report identifies five areas in which all governments, ‘especially those of nations that became prosperous through the untrammeled burning of fossil fuels’ , need to deliver:
Emissions: Cut emissions to levels consistent with keeping warming under 1.5oC, led by nations with the biggest responsibility and capacity. Halve global CO2 emissions by 2030.
Adaptation: Accelerate financial support to vulnerable countries to adapt to climate impacts. Ensure adaptation receives at least 50% of financial aid.
Loss and damage: Provide financial support to help developing nations deal with the loss and damage caused by the impacts of climate change – which have resulted from the developed world’s historical failure to cut their emissions.
Finance: Deliver the promised but so far unforthcoming US$100bn per year climate financial pledge made by developed nations at the Copenhagen and Paris COPs.
Implementation: Finalise the rulebook for implementing the Paris Agreement regarding transparency, carbon trading and common five-year timeframes for accelerating action. Done in a way that safeguards development and nature.
All actions to be underpinned by solidarity, fairness and prosperity.
The report includes a message for Australia: ‘Fair shares accounting shows that in order to take adequate responsibility for creating the climate crisis, Australia should reduce its emissions by at least 65-80% below 2005 levels by 2030 and provide at least $2.5bn (AUS$3.2bn) annually.’
Below are some quotes from the speech given by John Kerry, President Biden’s Special Envoy for Climate, in London on July 20
Nostalgia for what our parents’ generation accomplished is no antidote to [our children’s] anxiety and even anger at what our generation has so far failed to do. We adults who have a vote in legislatures or elections and multilateral institutions, seats in the Situation Room and the boardrooms — we must provide answers that are tangible – not theoretical. And above all, we need to provide action and action now. Because time is running out.
We really must focus on capping warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Much more warming than that, and life on our planet will become increasingly unrecognizable. That prospect of an unlivable tomorrow should be as alarming as it is sobering as we take stock of the world we are living in today.
It’s a world where whole countries would be destabilized from stalled economic growth, hunger and starvation, escalating conflict over resources, and people would be forced to abandon their homes. It’s also a world in which we ultimately spend so much money and effort just coping with disasters that we no longer invest in tomorrow. It undermines everything we have been fighting for. And no country, rich or poor, will be spared. We have a narrow window to avoid that future.
Simply put: the world needs to cut emissions by at least 45% by 2030 to be on a credible path to net zero by midcentury. That’s what the IPCC showed us. 45% – and not just in some countries or some regions, but the world. They found that 45% is the minimum the world must reduce.
That makes this a decisive decade. And it makes 2021 a decisive year. And most of all, it must make COP 26 in Glasgow this year a pivotal moment for the world to come together to meet and master the climate challenge.
How alarming it is that as we race to Glasgow, some countries are currently still building new, carbon-polluting coal plants, clear-cutting more trees and continuing to illegally cut down the rainforest. They’re removing the lungs of the world, destroying irreplaceable biodiversity, and destabilizing the climate – all at the same time.
At or before COP26, we need to see the major economies put forward – not just ambitious 2030 targets, but clear plans for how they will get there over the next decade. By 2023, we need those same economies to put out road maps for how they will achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Commitments must be backed by concrete national action plans, policies, and measures.
We can – and must – achieve this together – especially knowing the triumph or tragedy of the two alternative worlds that await our choices. I believe we will get to the low carbon economy we urgently need. But without greater urgency and effort, it is not clear we will get there in time.’
Rock On 4 Kiah Sat June 26
The festival was a big success. Sufficient funds have now been raised from various sources including Rock on 4 Kiah to pay for the solar + Our battery installation at Kiah RFS. Installation will be happening in the next few weeks.
Our next project is to upgrade the solar on Tathra Surf Club. Save the date for the Tathra Eternity Festival on October 16 which will be raising funds for this project.
CEFE’s Matthew Nott and Prue Kelly with Kiah RFS Captain Matthew Allen at Rock on 4 Kiah
Bournda World Environment Day Lunch Sat Jun 5
Looking for a great activity on World Environment Day?
Come along to hear Dr Rebecca Huntley at the Tathra Hotel!
Dr Rebecca Huntley is guest speaker for the 44th Bournda EEC World Environment Day event, Saturday 5th June at 10:15am. Rebecca was booked to speak at the dinner last year and writes:
I was so disappointed when COVID-19 cancelled the last trip planned. Not so in 2021 and I am so looking forward to coming to share my insights around the environment with you at the Bournda Environmental Education Centre event. I know the recovery from both the pandemic and the extreme weather events have hit the area hard. I am looking forward to meeting people and to hear their reflections and their stories of resilience and hope for the future of their communities.”
Tickets (available now) for $60 pp
which includes lunch and the presentation
Rocky Hall RFS Shed Solar Installation
The latest in beneficiary in CEFE’s program to roll out solar installations on public buildings and RFS sheds is the Rocky Hall volunteer firefighter brigade.
The 3.7kW solar system is connected to a battery which will provide up to five hours of emergency backup power. This will give the brigade some security in times of emergencies, like during Black Summer bushfires when the district lost all its power.
Supporting CEFE and the Rocky Hall Rural Fire Brigade were the Wyndham Progress Association and Wyndham Men’s Shed – as well as a host of locals who turned up on a very wet afternoon fund raising concert, which was shifted from the sports ground to the Wyndham Hall.
Green Rebuild Webinars from Renew
CEFE is pleased to be able to help promote an upcoming series of free webinars being offered by Renew giving information for fire-affected communities to rebuild homes for climate and fire resilience.
The webinars coincide with the launch of Renew’s Green rebuild toolkit a set of online resources, articles, and information to assist fire-affected communities to plan for, retrofit and rebuild their homes to suit our changing climate. As publishers of both Renew and Sanctuary magazine, Renew draws on over forty years of experience in this sector as well as an extensive network of technical experts, architects and designers.
The webinars will feature experts in the field speaking alongside homeowners who have already rebuilt after fire. There will also be the opportunity for people to connect with architects, designers, and bushfire safety experts in a July series of tailored ‘Speed Date a Sustainability Expert’ events, and one-on-one consults for those needing further advice. All events and support are free thanks to GlobalGiving.
The topics and dates for the webinars are as follows:
Rebuild first steps| Tue 1 June 6-7.30pm
Designing and building for bushfire and climate resistance | Wed 2 June 6-7.30pm
Materials and construction for bushfire and climate resistance | Thur 3 June 6-7.30pm
Home energy setups for bushfire zones and climate resilience | Tue 8 June 6-7.30pm
Water storage and fire resistant landscaping | Wedn 9 June 6-7.30pm
Retro fitting for fire resistance | Thur 10 June 6-7.30pm
Rock on for Rocky – March 20
AGM Monday March 22 in Tathra
Our Annual General Meeting will be held in the Tathra RFS training room, Bega St Tathra at 5.30 pm on Monday March 22.
The agenda papers including audited financial reports are available by clicking here
Nominations for office bearer positions must be sent to the Returning Officer at [email protected] by Monday 15 March. The email should have the names of the nominator and seconder and confirm the consent of the nominee.
Bentley Effect screening
Our friends from SJA- Forces for Natures group are screening this positive and uplifting documentary on Thursday nightWhat: The Bentley Effect documentaryWhen: Thursday 4th February, 2021Where: Pambula SLSCTime: 7pmCost: 5 dollars to go to SJA’s ongoing work in the communityThe Pambula Surf Club is a spacious venue, and will be COVID safe, so you can just turn up on the night. This is an inspiring film about the power of people united in defence of the land, and how to build a movement. Also, highly entertaining. Hope you can make it and please spread the word.
Tathra Eternity Festival Nov 22 2020
