Climate Action Show

Monday 24th Sept 2018Presenter / Producer: Erin JonesTopic: Electrifying Industry Pt 2 – Victorian State Govt & IndustryToday Erin Jones continues the discussion of the Electrifying Industry work. We look at Victorian State Government support for Industry in their energy use, and the opportunities they have to take more control of these. We also talk to industry about what energy means for their business.Download the report (for free) here:http://bze.org.au/electrifying-industry-2018/We speak with Peter Hansford (DELWP) who is the Manager – Business Development, Energy Commercial Projects & Programs & Climate Change GroupSimon Whiteley, Managing Director and owner of Corex talks with us about the issues facing manufacturers’ and the measures being taken to control and understand your energy footprint.Guests:Peter HansfordPeter HansfordManager Business Development,  Energy Commercial Projects and Programs,  Energy,  Environment and Climate Change Group.Department of Environment, Land,  Water and Planning (DELWP)https://www.victorianenergysaver.vic.gov.au/energy-advice-for-business/business-energy-grants-and-supportSimon WhiteleyManaging Director and OwnerCorexhttp://www.corex.net.au/http://bze.org.au/electrifying-industry-2018/

Presenter/Producer: Erin JonesTopic: Electrifying Industry Pt 1 – Frontline Action on Coal – Newcastle & Save Westernport updateToday Erin Jones discusses the latest BZE research – Electrifying Industry.Download the report (for free) here:http://bze.org.au/electrifying-industry-2018/We speak with Head of Research at BZE – Michael Lord.  Michael is the lead author of the Electrifying Industry Report,  which was launched at the Electrifying Industry Summit on Sept 13th, 2018.  This work focusing on industrial processes including industrial heat,  is a world first.  Industrial processes represents 8% of Australia’s emissions – so is a significant contributor to the national emissions profile.Australia has the potential to be a renewable energy superpower,  and this Electrifying Industry work shows how a transition can be made.  Energy costs can be minimised using new more efficient technologies,  and using renewable energy sources.  We discuss some of the various technologies including Heat Pumps, Electromagnetic Heating, & Microwave as some examples.We also speak to Louise Page from Save Westernport – a community initiative to stop AGL building a large scale gas import and pipeline in Westernport just outside of Melbourne.We also talk with Greg Rowls from Frontline Action on Coal to halt the export of coal out of Newcastle Port – the largest coal export port in the world,  where both young and older citizens are fighting this destructive process.Guests:Michael LordMichael LordLead Author – Electrifying IndustryBZE Head of Research Louisa PageSave Westernporthttps://savewesternport.org/Greg RowlsGreg RowlsFrontline Action on Coalhttps://www.frontlineaction.org/

After the Smoke Clears – Episode 2For more information go to: www.afterthesmokeclears.com.auToday we return to the Latrobe Valley – to ask “what is a just transition?”  In other words how can we phase out coal and phase in renewables without hurting the families and communities that relied on coal for income and power.We are joined by:Michael Mersmann: the Director of Globalisation and European Policy,  for the German Union for Mining,  Chemicals and Energy workers.  He presided over what is widely considered one of the most successful examples of transitioning from Coal to renewables in history. Between 1997 to 2015 a partnership between government,  industry and the unions oversaw the reduction of 72,820 jobs.  Their credo and philosophy was “that no miner would be unemployed”. Geoff Dyke: is the Victorian branch secretary of the mining and energy division of the CFMEU and Moe resident.  Geoff experienced first-hand exactly what privatisation meant for the Latrobe Valley community and workers.  He can testify to exactly what happens when a transition is not managed correctly – the opposite of a just transition has to be an unjust transition. Ged Kearney: Ged Kearney is the member for Batman in federal parliament but back in 2016.  When the closure of Hazelwood was announced,  she was the president of the ACTU.  I’ve asked Ged to come on the show because of her outspoken support of a Just Transition. 10 Sep 2018|Categories: Community Show

Monday 3rd Sept 2018Guests:Ian Dunlop –  Former Int Oil, Coal and Gas industry executive.  Now Co author “What lies beneath”Louise FraserLouise Fraser– 350.Org campaigner for RISE FOR CLIMATE  global event   Sarah and Tim – Frontline Action on Coal – They stopped the coal trains into Newcastle for 3.5 hours TODAY!Giles ParkinsonGiles Parkinson –  Editor of Renew Economy.orgDid you know that Australia,  despite our small population,  is NOT a small contributor to climate disruption?Ian Dunlop says that corporations need to rethink their business model as we are fourth in the world league of polluters.  He discusses the rot and incompetence at the top and calls for a Government of National Unity which can implement emergency measures.  As our Bangladeshi climate scientist said we are “climate criminals”. Vivien Langford also speaks to Sarah Barron who stopped the coal trains today.  When she came down from her tripod she said “Mining and exporting coal in the face of what is already a  spiralling climate crisis is to condemn my generation”.Sarah and Tim,  from Frontline Action on Coal speak about the community controlling the resources and justice for energy workers.  They noted that we now have a PM who looks like a front for the  Minerals Council,  a chief of staff who was a former coal boss,  an Energy minister who has campaigned against wind power and an Environment Minister who was a mining industry lawyer…Is disrupting the coal port that disrupts the climate justified?FLAC “It’s time to stand up and take action on climate change!  If not now,  then when?  If not you,  then who?”Louise Fraser speaks about the global  “Rise Up for climate” on 8th September.  The Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco 12-16 September will take action to the next level. State,  regional  and city governments will show what they have achieved and how we will make the Paris Agreement a reality.Please attend events in your local area. There are at least 6 around Melbourne and in every state. Use this hashtag to invite your friends to step up:   #StepUp2018Giles Parkinson reassures us that there are enough wind and solar projects for the industry to be getting on with while they  play with coal in Canberra.However,  will the renewable industry take its bat and ball and go overseas?Vivien desperately tries to think of something else for them to invest in but Giles is not so anxious.  Although it is frustrating he sees plenty to do on the clean energy front even exports to take the place of coal and gas! He also announced the new Renew Economy website devoted entirely to electric vehicles. Links:350.org “Rise for Climate” document (PDF)What lies beneath by Ian Dunlop and David Spratt ( climateextremes.org.au)FLAC- (www.frontlineaction.org)   Video “End Coal”   12-16th September in Newcastle(Cleanenergycouncil.org.au)WIND FARM OPEN DAY-Sunday 21st October in NSW,  SA, Vic and WAIn Victoria: Bald Hills WindFarm at Tarwin Lower / Cape Nelson South Wind Farm / Mt Gellibrand Wind Farm at Woorndoo.Rise for Climate  – September 7th/8th Find an event near you.People’s Referendum on Coal and Gas (lockthegate.org.au/peoplesreferendum)Clean Energy Council Wind Farm Open Day  Radio team 3rd September:  Andy Britt Producer,  Roger Vize Podcasts,  Vivien Langford – Interviews

Monday 27th Aug 2018 NT Gas expansion possibilities:https://www.reuters.com/article/australia-lng-conocophillips/australias-darwin-seeks-to-shed-frontier-image-to-become-world-class-lng-export-hub-idUSL4N1TV2FGWhy increased LNG exports is bad for the climate:https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060069129Link to the article mentioned in the article abovehttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544217319564   27 Aug 2018|Categories: Community Show

Monday 20th Aug 2018Dr Jeyakumar DevarajDr Jeyakumar Devaraj lost his seat in the last election but he is exhilarated that the change of government in Malaysia has permitted a new optimism.Vivien Langford  asks him how a new Bandung Spirit would unleash strong climate action.  While waiting and waiting for UN green funds maybe ASEAN nations can work together for a new dispensation.He says Malaysia shouldn’t have to cut its health budget to plant trees for carbon sequestration. The funds to help developing countries tackle climate change are insufficient but he says even the developed nations are cash strapped and unable to help while their top 0 .1% of wealthy corporations  evade tax.  Malaysians are already experiencing intensified floods and heatwaves.They produce only 70% of their food so Dr Devaraj has many solutions to protect the population:  from flood mitigation to guaranteeing that land is used to produce food first.  He is hopeful that new bold laws will enable restoration of forests,  rivers and farmlands.  Malaysians have witnessed that the unexpected can happen in government and the  lesson we can draw is to prepare for the unexpected. Have the projects and blueprints ready. This fits in with the reasoning  behind Beyond Zero Emissions and broadens our awareness to our near neighbour. You can read a talk given by Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj in Kuala Lumpur here.Dr Hugh HuntDr Hugh Hunt was involved in a Cambridge University project called SPICE. (Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering)  He is a reader in Engineering Dynamics and Vibration and feels that even environmentalists are disconnected from the carbon footprint of our economy . He talked to Vivien Langford at the Climate Adaptation Conference.  If we are unwilling to change our own behaviour such as flying, which for every hour in the air emits 100 kilos of CO2, shouldn’t we start talking about cooling the Arctic to buy time?  It is a hard conversation to have.  He does not want to see climate engineering but thinks we should build up our knowledge of what could go wrong.Dr Hugh Hunt’s research into the effects of climate engineering is ON HOLD because of ethical concerns.Yet where are the ethical concerns which would make us STOP before before flying or filling up a car with petrol?Imagine you had to dispose of 25 white suitcases filled with CO2 after a long hall flight. These videos explain it for adults and children.Imagine you are a world leader. You think it would be electoral suicide to ration fossil fuels and phase them out, so you dream about climate engineering to buy time.What could go wrong ?Are these videos a nudge in the right direction?Radio Team : Andy Britt – Producer, Roger Vize- Podcasts, Vivien Langford – Interviews

Monday 13th Aug 2018Presenter/Producer: Erin JonesTopic: Zero Emissions Noosa, NEG – Update, Save Westernport – UpdateToday Erin Jones talks the campaign for Zero Emissions in Noosa, we get an update on the National Energy Guarantee, and the latest in the Save Westernport campaignWe speak with Vivien Griffin who is the President of Zero Emissions Noosa about the community initiative to move the Noosa community to zero emissions by 2026. A series of community consultation has just been undertaken outlining a Roadmap to achieve this goal. We discuss how the project has evolved – including the progress and process that has been taken.Nicky Ison joins us to have a look at the outcome from the COAG Energy Ministers’ meeting last week and the negotiations for the governments proposed National Energy Guarantee. Nicky also penned a piece in today’s SMH about who really benefits from the NEG as it currently stands.Finally we get an update from Louise Page from Save Westernport about the large scale AGL gas proposal for Westernport, and the growing community concern and action that is proposed.Guests:Vivien GriffinVivien GriffinZero Emissions NoosaPresidenthttps://www.repowernoosa.com/http://zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au/about.htmlhttps://www.repowernoosa.com/roadmap-projectNicky IsonNicky IsonCommunity Power AgencyCo-Founder & Director@CommunityPowerAhttps://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/consumers-aren-t-the-big-winners-out-of-national-energy-guarantee-20180811-p4zwyv.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/barnaby-joyce-names-his-price-for-support-of-the-neg-new-pricing-powers-20180810-p4zwui.html  Louise PageLouise PageSave Westernporthttps://www.savewesternport.org/Announcements:Get your tickets to the BZE Electrifying Industry Summithttps://www.electrifyingindustry.org.au/http://bze.org.au/event/electrifying-industry-summit-13-sep-2018/ 13 Aug 2018|Categories: Community Show

Monday 6th August 2018Presenter/Producer: Erin JonesTopic: Electric Vehicles – Commercial Vans & TrucksToday Erin Jones talks Electric Vehicles – but of the commercial – truck and van variety.We speak with Tony Fairweather from Sea Electric about the Vans and trucks they are producing using their SEA – Drive Technology for emissions free transport solutions – and hear about the cost savings that can be achieved now by transitioning fleets to EV – and not waiting. This technology can be deployed in both new and retro-fitted to existing vehicles. Be sure to hear Tony present at the BZE Electrifying Industry SummitGreg McGarvie from ACE- EV is trying to get EV manufacturing off the ground in Australia. They are looking to launch vehicles starting at under $40,000, and will be displaying the first vehicle in AEVA Expo in Brisbane in November.Guests:Tony FairweatherSEA -ElectricGroup Managing Directorhttp://www.sea-electric.com/home-page/Greg McGarvieACE- EVManaging Directorhttp://ace-ev.com.au/Links:http://www.sea-electric.comhttp://ace-ev.com.au/https://www.smartenergy.org.au/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Electric_Vehicles/ElectricVehicles/Submissionshttps://vimeo.com/268791713https://www.conferenz.co.nz/events/evworld-nz-2018https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/product-news/1808/ev-manufacturers-call-for-action-to-aid-uptakehttps://www.electrifyingindustry.org.au/http://bze.org.au/event/electrifying-industry-summit-13-sep-2018/https://evfest.aeva.asn.au/the-ev-expo-conference-day-day-1/ 06 Aug 2018|Categories: Community Show

Monday 30th July 2018This show we are going to the Latrobe Valley in Victoria – a place that is experiencing the opportunities and issues surrounding the transition from Coal to Renewables. For more information visit the website for After the Smoke ClearsWendy FarmerWendy Farmer: Prominent community activist, Wendy Farmer rose up in the aftermath of the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire.  She has since been a tireless advocate for the community in the Latrobe Valley.  She tells us about life in Victoria’s Coal Country  Mark RichardsMark Richards: ALP candidate for Morwell – Mark rose up from a unit operator at Hazelwood power station.  He experienced firsthand the cuts from privatisation and the closure of Hazelwood.  He has a lot of experience with the production of electricity and has a firm idea about what is involved in a Just transition – not just for the environment but for communities that have historically worked with coal. Chris BarfootChris Barfoot works with the Community Power Hub in the Latrobe Valley.   His sees great potential in the Valley – the opportunity to take advantage of being in the centre of the electricity grid – from here you can distribute renewables as you did coal.   Renewables like solar footpaths,  wind arrays off the coast,  geothermal and waste energy.  Exciting times ahead for Chris,  the important thing is getting the message right. Peter Yacono and Anissha VijayanPeter Yacono and Anissha Vijayan:  The producers of OUR POWER  a brilliant documentary about the Latrobe Valley.  They were able to articulate the history of the Valley from the high point of the SECV to the lowest ebb of the 2014 Mine Fire and mass unemployment from Privatisation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download () | EmbedSubscribe: Android | Email | RSS | MoreAs large parts of Australia are in drought and some farmers are having to shoot their livestock for lack of feed,  how can regenerative agriculture help farms become more resilient?As there is a growing demand for meat and dairy products for export to Asia,  will we resist the land clearing and overstocking to protect the global climate?The BZE land use discussion paper found that great emissions reductions could be achieved if we partly reduced the national herd and the land that is constantly cleared for grazing.  This show looks at family farms in eastern Australia and the million hectare agribusinesses in the north.  What progress are we making? Charles MasseyCHARLES MASSEYCharles Massey’s book “Call of the reed warbler” reports on this century’s pioneers of regenerative farming. He describes the disasters that have jolted some farners out of industrialised agriculture into practices more in line with their love of nature and long term values. As Vandana Shiva said  “Monoculture farming creates monocultures of the mind”  Charles brings us stories of innovation and diversity.  He talks about soil carbon sponges rehydrating the land,  how the current drought is affecting his place in the Monaro High Plains and how glyphosate is affecting our gut health.  Climate change is only one of the earth systems that has been pushed past the limit,but the thinking emerging from the farmers he meets could pull us back from the brink. Richard EckardPROFESSOR RICHARD ECKARDHe is the director of the Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre at Melbourne University.  Vivien  asks whether drought assistance should be tied to new  methods of farm management and whether mixed farming systems are more resilient to climate shocks.  Richard describes the NT and Qld pastoral leases which cover millions of hectares and how they can survive drought.Will climate rusk averse overseas shareholders pressure the companies that run these massive ranches to reduce emissions?  Can we reduce the sheer number of livestock on the land when it is so lucrative exporting into the high end market?If the National Energy Guarantee is weak on  emissions reductions will farmers do the heavy lifting?  The NFF says they have already taken significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint,what more can be expected ?MICHAEL TAYLORHe represents the sixth generation farming The Hill in New England.  His parents are famous for their innovations in agroforestry.  They had to be creative as the Great New England Eucalyptus Dieback in the 60’s denuded their place and many others. Vivien  talks to Michael about how younger farmers are building up more resilience and productivity while still remaining profitable.To give you a taste of “The Call of the Reed Warbler” here is a description of the Taylor’s property by Charles Massey sitting on a hill.” Below me I could barely see open paddocks.  The lazy S of contour winding tree breaks composed of mixed species seemed to merge into a forest.  Mist rose off the rehydrated lower country but most impressive was a cacophony of birdsong.  Flycatchers,fantails,honey eaters, wood swallows and whistlers.  Truly here was a whole squadron of unpaid pest controlling, pollinating and fertilising helpers willlingly on the job.”Regeneration, restoration,  reversing the mistakes of early white settlers …This is the new narrative we need to hear.Further Reading:https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/five-meat-and-dairy-companies-emit-more-emissions-than-major-oil-companies-study-finds/Petition by John Graham Petersonhttps://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/turnbull-policy-guarantees-nothing-but-the-status-quo-on-power-and-climate-20180722-p4zsx1.htmlhttps://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/technology/science/silence-of-the-lambs-nsw-farmer-to-shoot-starving-flock-because-he-cant-afford-to-feed-themThe Radio Team 23rd July:  Andy Britt on production,  Roger Vize on podcasts and Vivien Langford -interviews 24 Jul 2018|Categories: Community Show