Geelong Mayor Asher and Cr Moloney discuss Council’s climate action plans
Clippings from the newsstream
[ Global outlook ] Danish government to #putclimatefirst in every decision:
Carbon emissions must now be taken into account in all parliamentary bills and political proposals
An inspirational initiative for governments at all levels around the planet: Just as one counts on the socio-economic costs of bills and proposals, the government will now count the climate impact and thereby streamline the green thinking in all ministries. Policy proposals with a climate impact above a certain level must be discussed in the government’s new Green Committee
Climate Minister Dan Jørgensen (Social Democrats) is now following up on Minister of Finance Nicolai Wammen’s announcement on Friday of new socio-economic climate calculations with a guide on how all relevant bills and major political initiatives from now on must also be assessed for their climate impact, reported the Danish newspaper Information.
“When we make policy in Denmark, we must fundamentally take the environment, climate and nature into account in a way that has not been done before,” said Dan Jørgensen, who today will be publishing his new Guide on assessing consequences for climate, environment and nature.
“For decades, we have been really good at counting on all the economic dimensions of what we do, and that also makes sense, but now it is being supplemented with a much better decision-making based on its environmental impact,” he said.
Net zero emissions target for Australia could launch $63bn investment boom
Modelling shows moving towards a net zero emissions economy would unlock financial prospects in sectors including renewables and manufacturing.
→ Read more in The Guardian
Doctors put health, community and planet first
“I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity, and to the protection of natural systems on which human health depends. The health of people, their communities, and the planet will be my first consideration and I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, as well as reverence for the diversity of life on Earth. (…)
To do no harm, I will respect the autonomy and dignity of all persons in adopting an approach to maintaining and creating health which focuses on prevention of harm to people and planet. (…)
I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honour. By taking this pledge, I am committing to a vision of personal, community, and planetary health that will enable the diversity of life on our planet to thrive now and in the future.”
~ Excerpts of a pledge for health workers published in the British medical journal The Lancet: ‘A pledge for planetary health to unite health professionals in the Anthropocene’
Climate reality check
Why 2030 — not 2050 — is the crucial time frame: We need zero emissions at emergency speed.
“Mobilising for zero emissions by 2030 is critical. A 2050 timeframe will not prevent catastrophic outcomes. Long-term targets are an excuse for procrastination. That has been the history of international climate policy-making. The short term is crucial: what we do now and before 2030 matters, not aspirations about 2050.”
→ Slides: Horisontal – Landscape
The underestimation of the seriousness of the climate reality today poses grave consequences for the future safety, health and well-being of our societies, the capacity of governments to protect the people, and regional and global stability.
The resource paper Climate Reality Check 2020 draws together current climate research from around the world to present 20 critical observations, insights and understandings to help inform and guide the stark choices that now stand before us.
→ View, download, print at www.climaterealitycheck.net
Geelong election debate forums
“I really want to see a better future for Geelong and frankly, I am here to bring it.”
~ Belinda Moloney, Kardinia candidate, in the forum’s closing statement at 1:03:21
Surf Coast Shire
Clippings from the climate newsstream
Participate and ask questions
Torquay Ward candidate’s Forum
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Wednesday 7 October 2020 at 7:00 PM
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/98349793288
Why “zero-2050” advocacy is a total cop-out
By David Spratt
When climate risks are so high, short term actions matter most
Scientists say that the evidence from tipping points alone suggests that “we are in a state of planetary emergency: both the risk and urgency of the situation are acute… If damaging tipping cascades can occur and a global tipping point cannot be ruled out, then this is an existential threat to civilization”.
And they warn that we might already have lost control of whether tipping happens. That risk requires our immediate and undivided attention, because everything is at stake.
The short term matters most. Kicking the can down the road to 2050 is the wrong focus.
→ Read the article:
Clippings from the climate newsstream
Advice from the United Nations chief:
“Take climate risks into account in all financial and policy decisions.”
“Australia does not need any new polluting fossil fuels. Coal and gas are expensive, polluting and a poor public investment. Only a renewables-led future makes economic sense. Propping up failing fossil fuels is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
~ Greg Bourne, Climate Councillor and former ARENA Chair. ARENA is a federal government body facilitating innovation and commercialisation of renewable energy technologies