Climate News Update

7th October 2006

Environmental Defenders NSW release campaigning materials. The EDO has released a series of new and updated fact sheets on Mining; Forestry; Catchment management; Environmental Advocacy; Corporations and environmental campaigning; Speaking out in public; and Incorporating an environmental group. These fact sheets, as well as a range of other plain English Fact Sheets which explain different aspects of Commonwealth laws which affect the environment and environmental campaigning, may be downloaded from the website.

Help develop campaign materials with Climate Action Network Australia. The Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COPMOP) will be held in Nairobi from 6th - 17th November. At last year's meeting Campbell made OUTRAGEOUS statements about Kyoto being "dead", at the same time the rest of the international community were strengthening it and looking to the next phase. CANA is keen to coordinate our messaging efforts this year and produce a set of tools that CANA Members will be able to use to communicate what the Kyoto Protocol is, why the international negotiations are important, and why Australia should ratify the Kyoto Protocol (and what the Australian Government is really doing at the negotiations). If you're interested in helping to develop these tools, or interested in using them and would like to have a say in what they should contain, please contact Julie-Anne coord[at]cana.net.au

Climate Institute Rural Initiative. "Climate change is changing our future, but we can control it" is the message of a new advertising campaign and regional tour of Victoria and News South Wales launched by the Climate Institute today in Melbourne. The Climate Institute will be holding forums in rural Australia over the next two months, promoting the real and urgent situation facing those on the land.

Climate Challenge - Put Your MP on the Hot Seat Week. An innovative Victorian campaign is underway to bring accountability for members of parliament to respond to climate change. Brought to you by Environment Victoria and Greenpeace.

Emission charges on the cards in future. Climate Change Minister David Parker says New Zealand would continue to act to protect the environment but stressed business would not be expected to bear the full brunt of the costs. New Zealand Press Association

Norway details US$3 billion renewable energy plan. Norway's government detailed subsidy plans for renewable energy and power savings projects on Thursday under a 20 billion crown (US$3.02 billion) fund promoting clean energy to meet a looming electricity shortage. Reuters

Mixed outcomes at climate talks. Climate talks between the world's top 20 polluters have ended with an unusual level of agreement on the urgent need to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. BBC

Melting permafrost a 'sleeping giant,' climate experts say. The sun is beating down on an icy bluff, sending chunks of ancient permafrost crashing to the ground. CanWest News Service

Canada under pressure over Kyoto. Canada's opposition parties have voted to force the Government to implement the Kyoto Protocol and meet emissions reduction targets the Government believes are unattainable. Sydney Daily Telegraph

Hydropower to hydrogen project advances. Plans are underway for one of the world's largest hydrogen demonstration projects, a $21 million initiative to harness hydropower to produce clean-burning, carbon-free gas to fuel nonpolluting hydrogen vehicles. North Country Gazette