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From local to global – renewing the world, one solar panel at a time… Wendy Champagne
F
ive years ago Tim Flannery wrote in The Guardian that there would be ‘no decisive moment in the climate battle’. Rather, ‘a war of attrition, being won one solar panel, one wind turbine, and one electric car at a time’. Today, as the climate war teeters in an ever narrowing orbit between irreparable disaster and last-minute salvation, it is small-scale targeted victories in the renewable sector that could still turn the tide in favour of climate consciousness and stabilising global warming. A case in point in our nation’s capital: The ACT is a proactive climate-change adapter, well on its way to achieving its goal of 100 per cent renewables by 2020. Tasmania and South Australia are also setting ambitious targets and backing them up with investment. The Climate Council’s Renewable Energy Report released on October 17 labels these three renewable ‘frontrunners’. Isn’t that cause for optimism? ‘Depends on the day,’ says climate expert Professor Leslie Hughes pro vice-chancellor (Research, Integrity and Development) at Macquarie University and an author at the Climate Council. Her reticence could be owing the fact that wealthy states like NSW are still at the ‘starting blocks’ and the Northern Territory hasn’t
even left the dressing room yet, according to the report’s Renewable Energy Scorecard. If other countries adopted similar climate policies as Australia then global average temperature rise could reach over 3°C the report says. But it has not yet reached that tipping point because, unlike Australia, some countries have managed to create solid climatechange policy and achieve ambitious renewable targets involving massive Repower projects. Take Sweden for example: it generates half its energy through renewables, mostly wind and hydro, and is the poster child of global Renewable entrepreneurship, followed closely by Costa Rica,
Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Denmark. One of the most significant statements in the Climate Council report was that ‘Australia is not on track to achieve even its weak 2030 emissions reduction target of 26–28 per cent by 2030 below 2005 levels.’ The reason? Greenhouse gas pollution is going up. So what’s up with Australia? Back in 2014 Tim Flannery also said that there is little individuals can do about global negotiations, but a huge amount they can do about renewable energy. The issue is about taking the lead. Our federal government has no credible national climate and energy policy to reduce
greenhouse-gas pollution and encourage renewable energy after the Renewable Energy Target expires in 2020. So if local government areas or states or businesses choose to adopt renewable and zero-emissions targets then they are putting themselves in the power position. Enter local Zero Emissions and Repower campaigns from across the country. From Noosa’s ‘ZEN’, to QUT campus, to Coogee Primary School and Shoalhaven’s Bowlo – in the absence of political will, individuals and institutions are taking up the challenge to fight climate change through switching to renewables. Locally, with the help of a grant,
Mullumbimby High School now has solar capacity of 94 kW that, along with a lighting efficiency upgrade, is expected to save the school 332,152 kW and $55,240 per year at no cost. This is community power at work. Despite dire warnings of a two-year global window to arrest the damage done to our planet by carbon emissions, climate-change activist and founding member of Zero Emissions Byron, Chris Sanderson, believes the transition to renewables has critical mass already. ‘It makes sense for good economic reasons. What community action does is organise locally and speed up the process.’ The light is shining bright in Byron Shire with lots of projects in development including Corem’s Mullumbimby Hydro, the Repower Byron Shire campaign, ZEB’s zero emissions target of 2025, and large-scale solar farms on the table at Byron Council. We also have Enova Energy – Australia’s first community-owned electricity retailer – based in Byron. We have the ‘movement’. It’s time to take the power back into our own hands. Q Repower has just launched
a spring campaign to encourage residents in Byron Shire to ‘Flick’ Fossil fuels by switching to ethical energy providers. Info at www.repowerbyron.org.
ENROLMENTS Byron Bay Public School
LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE
The school is proud of its outstanding reputation for being a high-achieving school. Our motto, ‘I aspire, I achieve’ and the ensuing belief in excellence, opportunity and success is a driving force within the school. We provide quality teaching and learning in a supportive, positive educational environment. Our high expectations are consistent with each student’s ability and the belief that all students can achieve their personal best. While the emphasis is on literacy, numeracy and innovative 21st century teaching and learning, numerous extracurricular programs operate, including sport, dance, choir, band, public speaking, cultural, environmental, leadership and philosophy initiatives. Please note – applicants need to be in zone and reside within the school’s drawing area.
Mullumbimby High School
Byron Bay Public School • A high performing school. • Achieving outstanding results. • Providing quality 21st Century teaching and learning. • Offering a broad curriculum. • An inclusive, friendly, supportive, nurturing environment where creativity flourishes. • We offer excellence, opportunity and success.
Byron Bay Public School 17 Kingsley Street, Byron Bay Telephone: 02 6685 6557 Email: byronbay-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.byronbay-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
20 The Byron Shire Echo wĈƐşćĕſ ǩǫǽ ǩǧǨǯ
MULLUMBIMBY HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENTS OPEN: YEARS 7 TO 12 Providing outstanding academic, cultural creative and sporting opportunities in a positive, caring and inclusive environment where students can fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential. Mullumbimby-High-School-158279444382618 mullumbimb-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.mullumbimb-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Ph: 6684 2600 Fax: 6684 1993 • 9 Jubilee Ave, Mullumbimby 2482
Mullumbimby High School is very happy to introduce their Student Leadership team for 2019. This group is led by our school captains April Archibald and Matthew Wareing and our Vice-Captains Kayla Maloney-McNamara and Luke Pruul. Mrs Emily Langtry, the SRC coordinator, said that these students have been selected by their peers and teachers for their commitment to the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Learning. We look forward to 2019 as they practise their leadership roles and continue to excel in their particular contribution to the school, whether academic, sporting or creative. North Coast news daily in Echonetdaily www.echo.net.au