69 Climate Action Groups Call for Rapid Transition to 100% Renewables

JESS WRIGHT Climate Action Hobart

69 Climate Action Groups representing thousands of people from across the country, including Tasmania’s Climate Action Hobart have called for a major ‘paradigm shift’ in Australia towards 100% renewable electricity.

In a joint submission to the Energy White Paper Secretariat, Groups stressed that a dramatic shift in energy policy towards renewables “would enable Australia to deal coherently with the multiple threats stemming from climate change, the global financial crisis and peak oil.”

“Climate Action Hobart has joined with groups all over the country urging Australia to make an urgent transition to 100% renewable energy. Tasmania is in an excellent position to make this shift and we want to see Tasmania lead Australia into a 100% renewable energy future” said Climate Action Hobart spokesperson Jess Wright.

A rapid shift to renewables would provide major employment growth opportunities over the next decade and re-invigorate major infrastructure investments in our electricity demand and supply systems and public transportation systems” the submission said.

Climate Action Groups called on the Secretariat to prepare a ‘nuts and bolts’ 100% renewable electricity implementation plan as part of the Energy White Paper, including analysis for Australia of a 10-year transition time frame (as called for by Al Gore in the United States).

Groups outlined a strong case to the Secretariat for implementing a Gross National Feed-In Tariff as a key mechanism to drive substantial investment in renewables.

Groups also called for Government funding for community renewable electricity projects (which do not currently qualify for funding), noting that community renewable projects help to build grid resilience, reduce transmission loss and provide local jobs and skills.

“The renewable energy sector has already had numerous setbacks over the past 14 years stemming from the pre-disposition of both the current and previous Governments towards fossil-fuel based energy supplies. It’s time for Australia to move forward and send a clear signal to investors that Australia is ready to transition to 100% renewable energy” said Jess Wright.

“On Saturday June 13th, in every capital city, Australians will be rallying for policies that ensure a safe climate for them and their kids, including stronger emissions reduction targets and a rapid shift to renewable energy. Climate Action Hobart is inviting all Tasmanians to join us at 12 noon on Parliament Lawns while we stand up for urgent action” said Jess Wright.

For more information about the rallies: www.climaterally.org

More about Climate Action Groups
Climate Action Groups are collectives of ordinary but highly concerned Australians who have come together in their local communities to act on climate change.
Climate Action Groups have experienced extraordinary growth over the past few years, with over 200 groups (representing thousands of people) currently operating in local communities across Australia.
The dedication and determination of these groups is testimony to a deeply felt community concern about the threat of climate change and increasing unease in the community about the direction of climate policy in Australia.
Groups generally have no political affiliations, and often represent the people and sentiments of a broad cross-section of Australian society.
In early February 2009, the first ever Climate Action Summit was held in Canberra, bringing together over 500 participants representing around 150 Climate Action Groups. The summit has lead to greater organisation, communication and collaboration among groups.
Climate Action Groups are rapidly proving themselves to be a powerful force in the public climate debate in Australia.
For more information visit: www.climatesummit.org.au
69 Signatories to Energy White Paper Submission:
Above Water, WA
Alpine Riverkeepers, NSW
Ararat Greenhouse Action Group Inc, VIC
Bathurst Community Climate Action Network (BCCAN), NSW
Bayside Climate Change Action Group (BCCAG), VIC
Beenleigh Community for Cool Change, QLD
Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG), VIC
Beyond Zero Emissions, VIC
Boroondara Sustainability Network, VIC
Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE), VIC
Citizens Climate Campaign, NSW
Clean Energy For Eternity – Bega, NSW
Clean Energy For Eternity – Bermagui, NSW
Clean Energy For Eternity – Eurobodalla, NSW
Clean Energy For Eternity – Jindabyne, NSW
Clean Energy For Eternity – Manly, NSW
Clean Energy For Eternity – Mosman, NSW
Clean Energy For Eternity – Palerang, NSW
Climate Action Canberra, ACT
Climate Action Darwin, NT
Climate Action Hobart, TAS
Climate Action Newcastle (CAN), NSW
Climate Action Newtown, NSW
Climate Action Now, Wingecarribee (Canwin), NSW
Climate Action Pittwater, NSW
Climate Action Tomaree (WG of EcoNetwork Port Stephens), NSW
Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle, NSW
Climate Emergency Network, VIC
Communities Combating Climate Crisis (C4) Healesville, VIC
Darebin Climate Action Now, VIC
Drummoyne/Canada Bay/Lowe Climate Action Group, NSW
Emerald for Sustainability, VIC
Epping Beecroft Climate Action Group, NSW
450ppm, NSW
Families Facing Climate Change, VIC
Gold Coast & Hinterland Environment Council (GECKO), QLD
Greenleap Strategic Institute, VIC
Green Coast Catalysts, NSW
Healesville Environment Watch Inc. (HEWI), VIC
Hills Climate Action Group (Perth), WA
Katoomba Area Climate Action Now (KACAN), NSW
Kyogle Climate Action Network, NSW
Lismore Climate Action Group, NSW
Locals into Victoria’s Environment (LIVE), VIC
Monash Environment Group (MEG), VIC
Monash Student Association (MSA) represented by the Monash Student Council (MSC), VIC#
Moonee Valley Climate Action (Melbourne Metro), VIC
Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG), VIC
Parramatta Climate Action Network (ParraCAN), NSW
People for a Safe Climate (Inner City Sydney CAG), NSW
Plug-In Australia, NSW
Quest 2025, QLD
Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group, NSW
St John’s Wood (SJW) Sustainability, QLD
South East Forest Rescue, NSW
South-East Region Conservation Alliance (SERCA), NSW
Stawell Climate Action Group, VIC
Surf Coast Energy Group, VIC
Sustainability in Stonnington, VIC
Sustainable Environment Education Development Inc (SEED), VIC
Sustainable Hepburn Association Renewing the Earth (SHARE), VIC
Transition Towns Triangle Plus, NSW
UQ Climate for Change (Students and Staff at UQ), QLD
Unfolding Futures, NSW
Western Region Environment Centre, VIC
Wodonga and Albury Towards Climate Health (WATCH), VIC
Yarra Valley Climate Action Group, VIC
Yarra Climate Action Now!, VIC
Youth Against Warming, VIC