The Sustainable Hour no 379
In The Tunnel on 8 September 2021, our first guest is friend of the show and long time campaigner for Friends of the Earth Melbourne, Leigh Ewbank. Leigh updates us on the broad cross-section of campaigns that FoE and their army of volunteers are working on. Not deterred by Covid, they have moved all their campaigns online and have carried on as normal protecting our atmosphere, our waterways, our forests, Koalas and working for a just transition to a post-carbon world.
Leigh points out the good things that are happening on these fronts in Victoria, as well as what they’ll be working on in the lead up to our country going to the Global Climate Summit COP26 in Scotland at the start of November. You can find out how you can help with this – using your social media accounts on 1 October by uploading a selfie – at: www.foe.org.au/dayofaction – or learn about FoE’s new community resistance to gas campaign Drill Watch on www.drillwatch.com.au.
Following Leigh, we have founder of The Sunflower Project, Zola Lawry and her young daughter Violet. Violet entertains herself, mostly in the background, as we find out all about Zola’s project. What started out as a form of self therapy in going out of her way to look for things to be grateful for when she was going through a dark period a few years ago, soon evolved into The Sunflower Project – a grassroots community project with the aim to spread a bit of joy and fun this spring: Plant and share some sunflower seeds with your neighbours, local primary school, community gardens or local verge gardens. Why? “Because for the last 18 months our world has been thrown into unpredictable, uncertain times, and sunflowers being such joy.” The project now appears as an open Facebook group with over 500 members. You can find them on Facebook – and you can buy seeds for your sunflowers with www.theseedcollection.com.au
Colin Mockett‘s jam packed Global Outlook begins with global accounting firm KPMG, which surveyed the world’s biggest companies and found that adapting to climate change now tops the list of action from the world’s CEOs.
Part of this report notes that Coca Cola USA has researched through its supply chain to find that each 1 litre bottle of Coke puts 771 grams of CO2 into the atmosphere. The company has started to reduce this with a target of reducing absolute emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050, and along with that to address its huge waste impact. They also set a target of using 50 percent recycled content in all its packaging by 2030.
Another global group, NRDC, released a report listing the primary sources of global warming. There are no surprises here as Colin itemises the Top 6.
Colin then zooms us to Afghanistan where an unreported ongoing drought is worrying climate scientists and environmentalists. Most worryingly in the country’s most important farmland, where droughts now are more frequent in vast swaths of this war torn country. It’s turned into a new type of international crisis, where the hazards of the Taliban takeover collide with the hazards of climate change and the Covid threat.
In the United States and in the wake of Hurricane Ida, New York State’s floods and the record drought and wildfires in America’s west, environmentalists are now concerned that the U.S. media is not reporting these events properly. The coverage of the drought and wildfires throughout the summer shows that no one in the mainstream media has connected this to the climate crisis. The group called Covering Climate Now sent out an alert headed ‘Climate silence reigns as the emergency explodes’ and it has organised a series of briefings for journalists to give the background before they begin reporting COP26.
Reports have leaked from a ‘knowledgeable insider’ who said that Rupert Murdoch’s News Media group – which includes the majority of Australian print media – will be flipping the switch from denying climate change to supporting environmental clean energy action from mid-October. We’ll wait and see. Can that leopard change its spots?
Finally, Bill McKibben in his environmental article for the New Yorker is stark. He said the science has shifted. “As Louisiana digs out and Lake Tahoe evacuates, it feels to me that, with each passing week, the pace of climate destruction increases. And so do researchers’ fears that we’ve underestimated the vulnerability of the planet. Already we’re seeing real disruption of the most basic forces on Earth. From regularly interviewing scientists, I know that their sense of our peril grows — especially the sense that we must act quickly, making enormous changes by decade’s end.”
McKibben will still be writing for the New Yorker – but now will spend more of his time on climate activism, something he is very good at.
We’ll be back with you all again next week with more solution seekers to give hope and inspiration. Until then, take care and work on your way of being the difference.
“While there is a political dimension to it and a numbers dimension to it, there’s also a cultural dimension to it. It will take time for some people in the community and some political parties to have that deepening of consciousness around why it is important to protect those special species and these special places and to roll out new technology and decarbonise.”~ Leigh Ewbank, climate activist leader, Friends of the Earth Melbourne
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Acknowledgement
We at The Sustainable Hour would like to pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we are broadcasting, the Wathaurong People, and pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.
The traditional owners lived in harmony with the land. They nurtured it and thrived in often harsh conditions for millenia before they were invaded. Their land was then stolen from them – it wasn’t ceeded. It is becoming more and more obvious that, if we are to survive the climate emergency we are facing, we have much to learn from their land management practices.
Our battle for climate justice won’t be won until our First Nations brothers and sisters have their true justice. When we talk about the future, it means extending our respect to those children not yet born, the generations of the future – remembering the old saying that…
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.”
The decisions currently being made around Australia to ignore the climate emergency are being made by those who won’t be around by the time the worst effects hit home. How disrespectful and unfair is that?
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The ABC is evolving. The public broadcaster has finally started taking reporting on long term climate trends more seriously and does it more frequently.
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Plans for Day of Action
Newsletter from Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth Melbourne:Time’s running out to influence the Morrison government’s decision on Australia’s 2030 climate target. The critically important COP26 climate summit is fast approaching. And the Morrison government will soon make its decision on what 2030 target it will take to Glasgow. The United States and United Kingdom have increased their commitments to tackle the climate crisis this decade. They will cut emissions by 50 to 63 percent by 2030. With scientists issuing a “code-red warning” to humanity, will Australia to put its shoulder to the wheel on climate?Will the Morrison government match the USA and UK or stick with the weak target set by Tony Abbott over half-a-decade ago—a meagre 26-28 percent cut by 2030? It’s time for the community to raise its voice for climate ambition!Friends of the Earth has called a national Day of Action for Australia’s 2030 Climate Target on Friday 1 October. With half the country in lockdown, we’re organising a social media blitz to allow the community to have its say on our country’s level of ambition. But we need your help to build a cache of 100 photos so we can kick off the day and make the #MatchBorisAndBiden hashtag go viral. HOW YOU CAN HELP:Contribute a photo today to help us get prepared for the Day of Action. Click here to upload your photo.Share our Facebook and Twitter posts to help build the buzz and rattle the government in the lead up to Friday 1 October. Invite family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues to participate by forwarding them this email or via this Facebook event. If you’re in a grassroots climate group, we’d love you to endorse the event. You will be made the co-host of the Facebook event have have your logo featured on the Day of Action photo gallery. Click here to endorse the event. If we can get hundreds of people participating on the day then we will pressure the government to do more on climate in this critical decade.We will also steer the press gallery’s coverage away from the focus on net-zero emissions by 2050—which is too little too late—towards what Australia will deliver by 2030.Will you join the call for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take a strong 2030 target to the COP26 climate summit?That’s all from us for now. If you have any questions or fancy a yarn, please get in touch. My contact details are below. In solidarity, Leigh and Friends of the EarthPS: Our grassroots campaign for climate justice runs on the smell of an empty muesli-bar wrapper. If you like our work and have a few spare bob, please donate to keep us on the campaign trail. Leigh EwbankAct on Climate coordinatorFriends of the Earth Melbourne
Newsletter from Friends of the Earth Melbourne
Welcome to Friends of the Earth Melbourne September enews our state-wide monthly update. Get on board for the Better Buses campaign zoom launch with Sustainable Cities, and join our Opportunities for Offshore Wind online event while rejoicing offshore wind legislation. Start snapping for the National Day of Action for Australia’s Climate Target and join our social media campaign. Participate in an online Forests collective meeting, colour-in a koala, sign a petition, send a submission and join an online SKAT meeting. Petition the PM to protect Bass Strait from gas and oil seismic blasting, and read a powerful submission in support of LaTrobe Valley’s first wind farm. Connect to a virtual new volunteer info session, then listen back to 3CR Dirt Radio episodes on Pacific Island Sovereignty and building safer space for LGBTIQA+ folks.
Friends of the Earth Melbourne is a community network of activists and supporters organising together on environmental and social justice campaigns. We are part of the Friends of the Earth Australia network and Friends of the Earth International, the largest grassroots environmental organisation on the planet, active in more than 70 countries. Our philosophy and practice is grounded in our messaging ‘mobilise, resist, transform’. Become a member, volunteer or intern, join an event, and shop at the Food Co-op.
Better Buses campaign launch!
The Sustainable Cities collective is super excited to announce the launch of our Better Buses campaign on 15 September. Better Buses is a community led transport campaign for frequent, reliable and electric buses in Melbourne’s West, and a better bus network statewide. This campaign will build a network of local climate activists, transport, union, community and social sector groups. Focusing on Western Victoria, we aim to demonstrate support for bus reform to reduce emissions, create local jobs and connect to existing and future transport infrastructure. If you are passionate about better bus services, sustainable transport and more public transport across Melbourne, we’d love for you to join us!
The Better Buses campaign launch is via zoom Wednesday 15 September from 6pm, RSVP here.
Please share our Better Buses facebook event and invite your friends to attend. For more details check out Sustainable Cities on facebook.
Opportunities for Offshore Wind online event
The Federal government has finally introduced national offshore wind legislation to the Parliament. The move comes after more than two years of community campaigning by Friends of the Earth’s Yes2Renewables collective and allies in the union movement. The legislation will enable the Federal government to designate areas in Commonwealth waters suitable for offshore wind development. Offshore wind has a critical role to play in delivering renewable energy, jobs and deep emission cuts. This legislation is just the first step. Check out Friends of the Earth’s immediate response here. Also read this opinion piece in The Age by coal station worker Tony Wolfe about what offshore wind means for Gippsland.
Join us from 6pm on 23 September online to learn more about Australia’s Opportunity in Offshore Wind. Please RSVP here. This online event will be co-hosted with The Climate Council and feature special guests to be confirmed.
National Day of Action for Australia’s 2030 climate target
Friends of the Earth has called a National Day of Action on Friday 1 October, one month before COP26, to call on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take a strong 2030 climate target to the summit. The United States and United Kingdom have increased their 2030 targets. With scientists issuing a “code-red warning” to humanity, it’s time for Australia to put its shoulder to the wheel on climate action. We want to create a massive buzz on social media on the day and take action to influence the government’s decision making.
Will you contribute a photo to help us kick off the big day? Join in here.
If your organisation or grassroots group would like to support the Day of Action, please join us here. The more groups that get involved, the greater our impact. With your help we can make the call for climate ambition impossible for the government to ignore. Let’s get to work!
Online Forests collective meeting
We have restarted our monthly meetings online and the next one will happen on Tuesday 21 September from 7pm – 8.30pm. At our September meeting we will hear reports from our newly formed working groups in our three key areas of work; First Nations solidarity, a rapid, just and ecologically sound transition out of native forest logging, and supporting existing grassroots forest protection groups across Victoria. We will also hear from regional forest protection groups about their work and what actions participants can take to assist them. The Vic Forests collective meeting Tues 21 Sept from 7pm will be hosted via Zoom. You will be sent a Zoom link after you RSVP here.
Colour-in a koala and more!
To raise awareness of the critical need to protect the Strzelecki/South Gippsland Koala for their genetic significance given their small population size, the SKAT collective has created a koalaring-in template available here. Place your coloured-in koala in a public-facing space, and we encourage you and your neighbours, friends and family to QR scan and sign our rolling petition here asking Environment Minister Sussan Ley to recognise the importance of sustaining a future koala population in Victoria. Also, you can send a submission to the Draft National Recovery Plan for Koalas before Friday 24 September to ensure Victoria’s koalas are listed on the EPBC Act. A simple online template will be available soon on our SKAT webpage here.
The SKAT team meets online on the first Thursday of the month for campaign updates and we welcome feedback and contributions. Join our next meeting via zoom Thursday 7 October at 6:30pm, please RSVP here.
Protect Bass Strait from gas & oil seismic blasting
Northern Tasmania is being subjected to new seismic blasting, with the Federal offshore oil and gas regulator (NOPSEMA) having just approved more seismic blasting in Bass Strait, this time by Beach Energy. The seismic blast site is 75km east of King Island and 57km north of Stanley and overlaps Boags Australian Marine Park. Local communities are strongly opposed to blasting and drilling and know that their communities, marine ecosystems and clean, green, brand are being threatened. Please join us to call on the PM to step in and halt further oil and gas development in Bass Strait. Sign the Friends of the Earth Australia petition here.
Powerful submissions support Latrobe Valley’s first wind farm
Last month, public submissions closed for Latrobe Valley’s first wind farm, with at least 450 positive submissions made supporting the project. Well done to everyone who supported the project. Proposed within a pine plantation in the Strzelecki Ranges, the Delburn wind farm is of state significance. If it goes ahead, the Delburn wind farm will overlook the retired Hazelwood coal burning power station and mine and reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 640,000 tonnes every year. Check out this powerful submission from retired Hazelwood firefighter Doug Steley about why he supports this important renewable energy proposal.
Friends of the Earth Melb new volunteers virtual info sessions
Find out how to get into action by joining a new volunteer session with Friends of the Earth Melbourne. It goes for about 75 minutes and covers all options. It is a casual session with about 5 people, and you can check out our campaigns here. This meeting will be held online Thursday 16 September at 5.30pm, please RSVP here.
Listen: 3CR Dirt Radio episodes
3CR Dirt Radio: Pacific Island Sovereignty and Climate Change – Kathy Jetnil-Kijner
3CR Dirt Radio: Pacific Island Sovereignty and Climate Change – Hon. Simon Kofe
3CR Dirt Radio: 6 ways to build safer space for LGBTIQA+ folks
Keep safe and well until next month.Kristine
Kristine Philipp – Friends of the Earth Melbournewww.melbournefoe.org.au
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28 climate groups and environmental organisations have endorsed and support the Mass Mailout for Climate campaign. Together, they represent and reach 770,507 Australians.Will your organisation join the campaign?https://t.co/fxPGuMTzWl#MassMailoutForClimate #ClimateActNow pic.twitter.com/Fmxo5jQIrH— Mass Mailout for Climate (@MassMailout) September 9, 2021
Draft poster – read more on Role of the media – #AllForClimate
People to pay polluters?
Newsletter from the Australian Conservation Foundation:“Australia is ready to renew with climate solutions at scale. A strong majority of Australians want it to happen now. But our Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor is once again trying to give public money to climate-wrecking fossil fuels.Minister Taylor wants to tax the people of Australia to keep failing, out-of-date coal-powered stations in the grid.His cash for coal scheme (the Physical Retailer Reliability Obligation) would cost households up to $7 billion, increasing electricity bills by up to $430 per year – and blocking renewable energy investment.It’s a coal baron bailout. People would pay polluters to keep polluting.But with your help we can block it.Our state and territory energy ministers can reject Minister Taylor’s cash for coal scheme because their agreement is needed for the scheme to proceed. States and territories have been leading the way in supporting our transition to clean energy, making plans and investments in clean energy solutions like renewables and battery storage. Before they meet with Minister Taylor on 20 September, we need to urge them to rebuff the coal baron bailout and keep the focus on rapidly shifting to clean energy.Can you email your state energy minister now and urge them to block Minister Taylor’s cash for coal scheme? EMAIL YOUR MINISTERWe have successfully thwarted Minister Taylor’s attempts to give public money to coal and gas before. He has tried multiple times to redirect the funds from our national green banks into fossil fuels, and several times we stopped him by speaking up. Together we are powerful. Let’s do it again.To Minister Taylor’s dismay, the private sector sees the writing on the wall and are moving their money away from coal and gas and into renewable energy.Our electricity system is going renewable. In fact, wind and solar are the cheapest forms of energy in Australia.But the cash for coal scheme would take us in the opposite direction – everyday people propping up coal barons to keep polluting our climate and blocking clean energy investment.Together, we can reach every state and territory’s energy minister, before they meet with Minister Taylor on 20 September.If we act now, we have a real shot of stopping the cash for coal scheme dead in its polluting tracks. The science from the Intergovernmental Climate Change Panel is clear – and so are the results from Australia’s largest ever climate poll. We need to move away from polluting fuels like coal and gas now and the vast majority of Australians want it to happen.Minister Taylor is yet to wake up to this reality. But his state counterparts, who can block his cash for coal scheme, have been listening to both the science and the people.Here’s how our state governments and energy ministers are helping to renew Australia with future-proof jobs that make our communities and climate stronger:NSW: has designated five new clean energy zones across the state, including Australia’s largest in Barnaby Joyce’s federal seat of New England. Investor interest is overwhelming.¹VIC: allocated $1.6 billion in last year’s state budget for clean energy. In July, the rural town of Yackandandah opened its new community-owned solar and battery system, as it pushes to become 100% renewable powered.²QLD: has committed $145 million to renewable energy zones across the state. Construction has already begun on a wind and battery farm in Cairns that will be the cornerstone of North Queensland’s renewable energy zone.³SA: was briefly powered by 100% wind and solar when prices dropped a few weekends ago – a glimpse into what the state’s energy future is moving towards. South Australia has also outlined ambitions to become a clean energy export superpower, grow its renewable energy and hydrogen industries and electrify the state’s transport system.TAS: is the first state to be powered by 100% clean energy. It has now set a target of 200% clean energy by 2040.ACT: set and achieved its 100% renewable energy by 2020 target in five years using ‘reverse auctions’ for wind and solar power. The ACT has delivered the equivalent of 3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution cuts, delivered record low wind and solar prices, and created more than 1,000 jobs.⁵Climate solutions are here, now, and ready to scale all across Australia. Our state energy ministers are investing in them. Amazing. Now, let’s urge them to block Minister Taylor’s cash for coal scheme and prevent more climate pollution.EMAIL YOUR MINISTERIt’s time to renew Australia with climate solutions for a safe, healthy future. Let’s keep speaking out together to make it happen.Suzanne HarterClimate Change Campaigner¹The Guardian: Clean energy interest soars in NSW as states resist rules to prop up coal²ABC News: Yackandandah’s community battery may not be ‘big’ but it’s enough to ‘petrify’ energy providers³Green Review: Construction underway at Kaban Green Power Hub⁴The Guardian: Solar power in Australia outstrips coal-fired electricity for first time⁵Australian Conservation Foundation: Create energy independent communities ACF are Australia’s national environment organisation. We speak out, show up and act for a world where forests, rivers, people and wildlife thrive. We are proudly independent and funded by donations from our community.
“10% of new car sales in Norway in 2021 have been diesel or petrol. Let that sink in. It is normal to buy an electric car in Norway, an outlier to buy diesel or petrol. With policies, things can go fast.”Glen Peters
10% of new car sales in Norway in 2021 have been diesel or petrol. Let that sink in.It is normal to buy an electric car in Norway, an outlier to buy diesel or petrol. With policies, things can go fast.https://t.co/W0Pe1ulUeG pic.twitter.com/t20Jq8MgrQ— Glen Peters (@Peters_Glen) September 2, 2021
Former defence leaders say Australia “missing in action” on climate-security risks
“Australia is falling behind its allies, and is failing its responsibilities as a global citizen and its duty to protect its own people,” says former Defence chiefs. The new report “Missing in action” got extensive media coverage:
The Australian:Former ADF boss Chris Barrie takes aim over climate
Australian Financial Review: Former defence chiefs warn of climate-induced conflict
Daily Telegraph:Australia accused of ignoring dire ‘national security threats’ by former Defence chiefs
Herald Sun: Australia accused of ignoring dire ‘national security threats’ by former Defence chiefs
The West Australian: Australia’s climate change ‘failure’ declared a national security risk
The Guardian: ‘Get on with it’: Australia already has low-carbon technology and Coalition should embrace it, scientists say
News Corp:Australia accused of ignoring dire ‘national security threats’ by former Defence chiefs
The Land:Climate change impact on agriculture a national security issue: military leader
→ Download the report: www.aslcg.org/missinginaction
Three things required
“We have the words of the UN Climate Panel that the transition is still going far, far too slowly. There are strong barriers up against creating change – in the shape of opposition from the polluting industries of the old economy, in the shape of political fear of annoying voters and vested interests, and in the form of inertia and insecurity in our own minds – and in the confrontation with our ingrained habits.
If we are to succeed, it requires three things:
That we all have insight into how serious the situation actually is.
That we can see for ourselves where we want to go and what the road to it looks like.
And that by talking together and acting together, we can establish the confidence that we can actually make this turn into a life that is more sustainable, fairer and in many ways more beautiful.
Good luck with the climate fight.”~ Jørgen Steen Nielsen, Danish climate journalist, Information
Council starts climate emergency advisory committee
Applications for nomination to the Climate Emergency Darebin Advisory Committee are now open. The committee will be providing advice and feedback to Council on its climate emergency work, including the Darebin Climate Emergency Plan.
Darebin City Council has a proud history of leadership in relation to tackling climate change. In 2016, the Council was the first government of any kind to declare a climate emergency – requiring urgent action by all levels of government, including Local Government.
Darebin City Council is looking to fill up to ten vacancies with Darebin community members who have a passion for climate-related issues and experience with their community and feel that they have something to offer Council on climate issues.
Expressions of interest close on 20 September 2021.
→ Detailed information is available on the Darebin Council website.
Lonely feeling
“As I see the flooding in New York City, the fires in California and think back on the heat dome in the PNW where I live, I can’t help but mourn the Earth. I have loved all aspects of this planet so much and so deeply and to think how I am living through, and conscious of, an extinction event (1000 years is nothing in the course of the Earth), I find myself bouncing between days where I plan for a resilient permaculture community homestead and other days with just increased use of alcohol and other substances.
And I see so many of my friends, family, coworkers oblivious or unconcerned to all this and the only ones I feel can relate to are the 0.01% of humanity made up of strangers on a forum like this…. It’s a pretty lonely feeling.
There are good days and bad days and today feels like a bad day…”~ Jeff Rice, posted in the Deep Adaptation Facebook Group, which has 13,400 members
Media release from Coles on 1 September 2021
TOGETHER TO ZERO: COLES OWN BRAND BREAD TO HAVE PLASTIC TAGS REMOVED
New cardboard bread tags are recyclable and made from recycled materials
As part of its ambition to be Australia’s most sustainable supermarket, Coles Own Brand is trialling the replacement of plastic bread tags with new cardboard varieties that are made from 100% paper-based recycled content and are recyclable in kerbside recycle bins.
The trial, which commenced in June with a view to roll out in 2022, will apply to 254 varieties of Coles Own Brand bread including both instore baked bread and pre-packaged loaves. Once rolled out nationally, this will result in the diversion of approximately 223 million pieces of plastic or 79 tonnes from landfill each year.
Coles General Manager of Bakery, Deli and Seafood Andy Mossop said the initiative is aligned with Coles’ ambition to Together to zero waste, one of the focus areas of its new sustainability strategy.
“At Coles, we are committed to reducing single-use plastic and we want to ensure wherever possible that we work with our suppliers to make our packaging recyclable and made with recycled content,” Andy said.
“We’re listening to our customers who have told us in a recent survey that reducing waste to landfill and plastic packaging was the number one concern when it comes to environmental issues in retail, with 69% of those surveyed saying it was of high importance to them.
“We are proud that this move towards cardboard bread tags means all components of our Coles Own Brand soft-plastic bread packaging will become recyclable.”
To ensure the cardboard tags are recycled in kerbside recycle bins, customers will need to place the tag securely inside other paper or cardboard products, such as a used envelope or paper bag. This will ensure the small tag doesn’t get lost in the recycling process and end up in landfill
Coles is working together with its bakery partners, including Goodman Fielder on the plastic bread tag removal initiative.
Mick Anderson, Head of Sustainability for Goodman Fielder said he was proud to work with Coles to reduce plastic.
“Our new cardboard bread tags, which will be used on Coles Own Brand pre-packaged loaves, are durable and have undergone rigorous testing and development. We have used material which is high-quality, ensuring both strength and flexibility to keep bread bags tied, in line with customer expectations.
“We are proud to partner with Coles on reducing the impacts of both plastic and food waste as part of our shared sustainability vision.”
Coles is making progress on reducing unnecessary plastic and waste
In addition to trialling cardboard bread tags, Coles will also be closing the loop on the packaging of some of its most popular instore bakery items by committing to have them made with 100% recycled content in FY22, in addition to already being fully recyclable at kerbside.
The change will apply to 60 million pieces of packaging each year on instore bakery products like cookies, donuts, danishes and muffins. Instead, the packaging will be made from 100% Recycled PET which requires less energy to manufacture per kilogram than virgin PET, further contributing to a decrease in the environmental footprint.
As part of its pledge to make packaging more sustainable, during FY21 Coles has removed 36 million soaker pads from meat trays. This means 36 million soaker pads not being sent to landfill.
Coles Group no longer sells single-use plastic tableware products including cups, plates, bowls, straws and cutlery. Additionally, in March, Coles announced a joint feasibility study to determine the benefits of a local advanced recycling facility in Victoria. Advanced recycling offers new life to old soft plastic by turning it back into oil which can be used to produce new soft plastic food packaging.
Coles also reaffirmed its commitment to packaging sustainability by joining the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Plastics Pact (ANZPAC) as a founding member, committed to a shared vision of a circular economy for plastic by eliminating unnecessary and problematic plastic packaging, ensuring 100 per cent of plastic packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025 and increasing the recycled content used in plastic packaging.
Coles is celebrating 10 years working with food rescue organisation SecondBite and soft plastics recycler REDcycle. Together Coles and SecondBite have helped provide the equivalent of more than 153 million meals to Australians in need and, with REDcycle, collected more than 1.7 billion pieces of soft plastics to be used in furniture, children’s playground equipment, roads and even Coles carparks.
“What makes you hopeful?”
“The IPCC report is coming out tomorrow. As a climate scientist, I’d like you to know: I don’t have hope. I have something better: certainty. We know exactly what’s causing climate change. We can absolutely 1) avoid the worst and 2) build a better world in the process.”~ Kate Marvel on Twitter
In the years and decades to come, we can be certain about two things. Climate impacts are likely to get worse. Some amount of warming is baked into the system. At the same time, solutions will become cheaper, get deployed more widely and scale faster.
The IPCC report is coming out tomorrow. As a climate scientist, I’d like you to know: I don’t have hope. I have something better: certainty. We know exactly what’s causing climate change. We can absolutely 1) avoid the worst and 2) build a better world in the process.— Kate Marvel (@DrKateMarvel) August 8, 2021
Three things everyone must understand about climate breakdown: it's irreversible, it's getting worse, and the main way to minimize damage is to end fossil fuel.— Peter Kalmus CLIMATE STRIKE 9/24 (@ClimateHuman) September 5, 2021
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Events we have talked about in The Sustainable Hour
Events in Victoria
The following is a collation of Victorian climate change events, activities, seminars, exhibitions, meetings and protests. Most are free, many ask for RSVP (which lets the organising group know how many to expect), some ask for donations to cover expenses, and a few require registration and fees. This calendar is provided as a free service by volunteers of the Victorian Climate Action Network. Information is as accurate as possible, but changes may occur.
Petitions
→ List of running petitions where we encourage you to add your name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Podcast archive
Over 400 hours of sustainable podcasts.
Listen to all of The Sustainable Hour radio shows as well as special Regenerative Hours and Climate Revolution episodes in full length:
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Live-streaming: on pause
The Sustainable Hour is normally streamed live on the Internet every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Melbourne time), but due to the corona lockdown, the radio station has been closed.
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Deepening of consciousness as temperature rises | Guests in #TheSustainableHour no. 379 are Leigh Ewbank from Friends of the Earth Melbourne and Zola Lawry, founder of #TheSunflowerProject.#DayOfAction #DrillWatch https://t.co/UGj8MPR2Eb— Mik Aidt (@mikaidt) September 8, 2021
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