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CEFE take the torch from the mountains to the sea over the October long weekend. Click on photo to view gallery.
A group of six Northern Beaches cyclists from the Manly chapter of
climate change group Clean Energy For Eternity (CEFE) is cycling from
Sydney to Canberra to present the climate change Minister Penny Wong
with a petition proposing the introduction of a Climate Protection Bill.
The cyclists will meet with Canberra riders to converge on Parliament
House as part of the Climate Bill Rally on Sunday 21st September. The
Climate Bill Rally is a project of People for Climate Protection Inc.
The Climate Protection Bill - a plan to cut Australia's growing
greenhouse pollution - was written in consultation with 30
community-based climate groups and endorsed by a further 65 climate
change action groups representing 6,000 Australians.
"The Labor Government is procrastinating during a time when concerned
communities throughout Australia are demanding action," said CEFE's
Manly Chapter convenor, Ron Krueger.
"In 2005, a similar community driven movement in the United Kingdom attracted 130,000 individuals who supported a Climate Change Bill by contacting their local MPs. "In response, 400 MPs voted for the Bill and when this is passed, the
United Kingdom will become the first country to legislate binding limits
on greenhouse pollution."
10,000 signatures are expected to be delivered to Ms Wong with the Bill
outlining a set of 19 demands. The main points include:
* Halving Australia's Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2020 compared
to 1990 levels and making Australia carbon neutral by 2040
*Increasing funding for renewable energy
*Establishing national energy efficiency standards
*Preventing new coal power stations, coal mines and nuclear
power plants
*Ending the logging of old growth forests
*Ending subsidies to fossil fuel industries
The Bill proposes that the Government adopts a national strategy for
greenhouse gas emissions reductions and that this will be developed
through public consultation. "We can no longer support the fossil fuel industry with tax breaks and subsidies," said Mr Krueger. "These need to be removed with the funding directed towards the adoption of renewable energies. "A good start would be for all Government agencies to purchase
electricity with 100% renewable energy."
Mr Krueger is urging all northern beaches communities to get behind the
Climate Protection Bill.
"It's in their interests and those of their children and future
generations that we have the Government pass and legislate the measures
contained within this Bill. "We have a responsibility to protect our delicate and diverse planet."
If you would like to sign the petition go to
http://www.climatemovement.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/climate-pro
tection-bill-petition.pdf?PHPSESSID=d38eb389e5d2694faf8883676d5c2b19
For more information about the Climate Change Protection Bill go to
http://www.climatemovement.org.au/2008/06/cycle-4-climate-protection/
The CEFE cycling group is riding via Wollongong, Bundanoon, Goulburn,
Bungendore and onto Canberra. For more information contact Ron Krueger on 0418 617 680.
 - Rhys Davies in disguise
Attended by over 200 people with 30 paddlers arriving on The Bermagui
River, the Inaugural Crossing Land Education Trust Open Day was a great
success.
The day included the first Clean Energy Surf Club to Crossing Paddle
which saw the Bermagui Boat Crew making a record setting run of 45
minutes. Congratulations to the first paddler Lance Carder (49 minutes)
followed by Chris Magill (52 minutes) in his exquisite wooden scull and
The Crossing Project Director Dean Turner (who failed to catch Chris
despite trying to cut corners through the mangroves, under logs and over
the oysters in his whitewater kayak).
Huge praise goes to the young Bradley Kingston who became the first
board paddler to complete the journey, taking 74 minutes. The Bermagui
Boardriders now have a benchmark to test when they take part next year
as part of their preseason training. It was great to see intrepid
columnist Vesna Andric putting in a good time on the Bermagui River as well.
Kayak hire raffle prizes were awarded to five people as a result of the
fantastic support of Bermagui Bait and Tackle at Bridge Motors. Other
highlights of the day included the chandelier coin toss won by four year
old Charlee, tours with the Board of Directors, Great Spicy Mammas Food,
Scarecrow making and The Sea to Snow Film - part 1 from Sea to Escarpment.
After some more building work The Crossing will be hosting a
permaculture design course for all ages in October and then a number of
local school student projects involving landcare work, canoe journeys
and straw wall building.
Dean Turner
Project Director
The Crossing Land Education Trust
Keen to make your house sustainable? Confused on where to start? Come and learn the benefits of sustainable living by talking to people already trying it.
Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) and CEFE offer an outstanding chance to listen, look and learn about how to reduce your energy, water and waste needs.
Homes across Eurobodalla and Bega will open their doors on Sunday 14th September. There will be practical information & local perspectives on how to design your home to be cool in summer without air-conditioning and warm in winter with little or no heating.
Tickets available at the house: $5 per house visited, children free. Details on houses open are on the ANZSES website www.sustainablehouseday.com.
 - Jindabyne CEFE at work again. To view movie, go to the video library, top left of the home page.
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 - Luke Hamilton, Mark Canaider, Sascha Sacharov, Matthew Nott, Grant Prowse, Giles Ellingworth and Rob Gordijn before the Bega River LifeSaving Energy Big Swim on 8/6/08. Almost $10000 was made for a wind turbine for the Tathra primary school.Photo by Lewis Nott Click on photo to view gallery Go to the video page to view movie
 - Nimitabel primary school 21/5/08
The Nimitabel primary school has 30 students and 2 teachers. The school population was 70 students 10 years ago, but has fallen to 30 enrollments, so consequently the schools funding has decreased. Despite reduced funding, the schools electricity bill remains high, so the school has decided to adopt renewable energy so they can afford to buy more books for students. There is a great wind resource on the Monaro, so why not use it. Here is the schools human sign of a rotating wind turbine. Go to the "Video"page to view movie.
Tathra Beach on the NSW South Coast has won the Community Action and Environmental Innovation awards at the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches Awards, announced in Sydney last night.
Tathra, a close knit coastal village of just over 1500 people, has a long history of community based action to protect and enhance its magnificent coastal environment. Tathra Beach, one of the Shires premier tourist beaches, is backed by an extensive coastal reserve system for its entire length.
Local and district residents flock to Tathra year round, to take advantage of the diversity of coastal ecosystems and reserve facilities. The beach environment ranges from natural dune systems and remnant vegetation communities, to developed recreational areas, surf club and a caravan park.
According to the Australian Clean Beaches Judge, Chris Tola, “The Bega area is well known for community activity and Tathra Beach is cared for by many active and dedicated community groups and individuals. Their long-term commitment guarantees innovation and a shared responsibility to the coast and wider local environment earned them the Community Action award.”
Tathra is also the birth place of the ‘Clean Energy for Eternity’ group whose focus is community based climate change mitigation actions. Beginning with a 3000 person human sign on Tathra Beach spelling out “Clean Energy for Eternity”, the group has now expanded with chapters in four neighbouring Councils and in Mosman (Sydney) and Victoria. This initiative won Tathra the Environmental Innovation award. Dr Matthew Nott, a driving force behind the initiative, also received the Dame Phyllis Frost Individual Award.
Bruce Hopkins (Hoppo) Waverley Council Lifeguard Coordinator and star of Channel 10’s ‘Bondi Rescue’ attended the national awards presentation and congratulated all participants for their efforts:
"Working as a lifeguard for over 17 years I have seen first hand how rubbish can damage our beautiful beaches. I have always been very supportive and proud of 'Keep Australia Beautiful' and I would like to congratulate all the participants on a fantastic job in keeping the beaches clean. Keep up the great work!"
Tathra Beach was also highly commended in the Community Partnership and Protection of the Environment categories, whilst Townsville’s The Strand won the overall Clean Beaches national title for 2008.
Australia’s favourite premium spring water Mount Franklin, is celebrating individual, local and community sustainability efforts by sponsoring the Australian Clean Beaches Awards 2008.
Further information about the Australian Clean Beaches Awards can be found at www.kab.org.au
Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Clean Beaches, Award Recipients 2008
Australia’s Cleanest Beach
The Strand – QLD
Community Action
Tathra Beach – NSW
Heritage and Culture
Frankston – VIC
Environmental Innovation
Tathra Beach – NSW
Environmental Innovation Water
The Strand – QLD
Litter Prevention
Scarborough Beach – WA
Resource Recovery
Scarborough Beach – WA
Community Partnership
Freers Beach – TAS
Protection of the Environment
The Strand – QLD
Young Legends
Kingston, South East – SA
Dame Phyllis Frost Award
Dr Matthew Nott
Clean Energy Group, Tathra Beach – NSW
Full details for each entrant in the Australian Clean Beaches Awards 2008 can be found at www.kab.org.au/beaches
 - Beth and Alana from Bombala High paddle to The Crossing
A unique event for sustainability will begin in Bermagui on Sunday 31 August. The first annual Clean Energy Surf Club to Crossing Paddle needs your families energy and enthusiasm with a paddle craft or board. Be ready to start at 8.30am on Sunday at the boat ramp near the Bermagui bridge.
The finish of the paddle is at The Inaugural Open Day for The Crossing Land Education Centre 10am-3pm Sunday 31 August. Paddle entry is $15 and includes an event bandana, lunch on arrival, and certificate with your journey time as well as a chance to win a kayak. Funds raised will help three not for profit organisations including Clean Energy for Eternity, The Crossing Land Education Trust, and Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club. Come along and help make the paddle and Open Day a great annual event for sustainability in the South East.
 - John Champagne (Bega Eco Neighbourhood Development), Mike Kelly (federal member for Eden Monaro), and Tony Allen (mayor of Bega Valley Shire Council). What's going on? click on pumpkin to find out
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