Green Action NewsM O B I L I S I N G P E O P L E T O S A F E G U A R D O U R E N V I R O N M E N T ISSUE 19 • AUTUMN 2013

Ethical Money: Investing in agreener futurePLUSHow YOU are paying forclimate change. And howtogether we will stop it.

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WOULDN’T IT BE WONDERFULif scientific evidence and reason were allit took to convince our political leadersto make the right environmentaldecisions? Like it or not, money talks.The economy is what influencesdecision-making in this country. That’swhy, for some years now, alongside ourenvironmental advocacy and feistycommunity action, we’ve beendeveloping smart economic argumentsaround our environmental solutions.

We’ve demonstrated that there areover 26,000 new green jobs for Victoriain just five industry sectors. We’ve shownthat by giving one million homes a‘green’ makeover, the state governmentwould knock $2.5 billion off their energyconcessions payments. More recentlywe’ve shown that a brown coal export

industry is economically unviable andthat fossil fuel subsidies lead to windfallprofits for coal companies. The fact isthat smart environmental managementis also good for the economy and jobs.And we’ve been working to make sureour politicians understand that.

While we talk about how protectingthe environment is a good investment,the reverse is true too. The way you and Iinvest our own personal finances canhave a big impact on our environment.We can use our own money to create thefuture we want through ethicalinvestment.

Some years ago I started investing mysavings in ethical funds that have strictenvironmental and wellbeingrequirements. In other words, myinvestments now turn a profit for me

and for the planet (which is a prettygreat feeling!). I did this because of myenvironmental commitment, but I alsowanted secure, long-term investments –and that means investing in companiesthat are sustainable.

And just today, I switched mymortgage and bank accounts to anenvironmentally responsible, customer-owned bank – not only because theyoffer better rates but because thecustomer-owned business model issomething I support.

Now you can make your money workfor the planet too. I encourage you totake the Ethical Money Challenge listedon page 9 and if your investments andbanking products don’t match yourvalues, change them, and reap therewards! 

> Kelly O’Shanassy, Chief Executive Officer

Good Money

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I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Green Action NewsIssue 19, Autumn 2013Design 2Fish ProductionsPrint Almar PressContributing writersAlex Merory, Amber Sprunt, CarmelaFerraro, Charlie Davie, Juliet Le Feuvre,Kelly O’Shanassy, Melissa Howard,Mark Wakeham, Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, Tom HartneyEditorAlex Merory (03) 9341 8125editor@environmentvictoria.org.au Membership enquiries (03) 9341 8100 admin@environmentvictoria.org.au Media enquiries(03) 9341 8127mark.wakeham@environmentvictoria.org.au Green Action News is an Environment Victoria publication. For more information, visitwww.environmentvictoria.org.au

Community in action

Forever Green Paid to pollute

Ethical money A very special letter

The long andwinding road toSave the Murray

EnvironmentalChampions of Victoria

Lessons from the US coalface

Does money really make the world go round? Maybe not, but

how we invest it has big consequences for our environment.

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>>>

LATE LAST YEAR I WAS LUCKY enough to spend three months workingwith the Sierra Club in the US on theirgroundbreaking Beyond Coal campaign.The Sierra Club is the oldest and largestenvironment organisation in the UnitedStates, and when it comes to winningthe fight against coal, no otherorganisation has achieved so much. I wanted to find out what it was that settheir campaigns apart, and how theenvironmental groups in Australia couldlearn from their experience.

To say the US has a problem with coalis an understatement. Over 450 coal-fired power stations blight thelandscape, and new investment in coalexports is growing as we speak. But

equally astounding is what the SierraClub has achieved.

Since the Beyond Coal campaign wasformed just a few years ago, it has securedclosure or commitment to close from 142coal-fired power stations across thecountry. In fact, this move away from coalpower has been so significant thatAmerica’s greenhouse gas emissions arenow at their lowest in almost 20 years andthe Sierra Club and their supporters cantake a large chunk of the credit for that.

Many of their strategies are notimmediately transferable to us. First, theSierra Club has had a lot of money forthis campaign -$70 million to be exact.That pays for a team of 40 in-houselawyers, who have been involved in the

campaign against each coal-fired powerstation. Second, it’s a far more regulatedenergy market than we have in Australia,meaning these legal campaigns canmake a difference that wouldn’t translateat home. Finally, in contrast to Australia,many of these power stations aresituated in large cities, amongpopulations who are directly impactedby the dangerous pollutants. Thepolitical power of the people sufferingfrom the health impacts of coal firsthand is significant.

But where the Sierra Club reallystands out is in their communitycampaigning. The organisation has adeep commitment to organising theirsupporters for action and has worked

On a day-to-day basis, the battle against coal – and climate

change – can feel overwhelming. How do we turn the tide,

and build a movement so strong that even the biggest coal

companies in the world can’t stop us? Our Safe Climate

Campaign Manager Victoria McKenzie-McHarg visited the

US last year to find out.

Lessons fromthe US Coalface> Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, Safe Climate Campaign Manager

Polluted water samples from Lindytown, West Virginia. Directly from the town’sdrinking water – and courtesy of the new coal mine next door.

The coal-industry-funded Republican campaign was far reaching inWest Virginia, but had little effect on the election overall.

S A F E C L I M AT E

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>>> tirelessly to engage their base tolead strong campaigns in theircommunities. Their model ofcommunity organising, borrowed bythe Obama campaign, has deliveredlasting success over decades.

And this is where EnvironmentVictoria can learn from the Club’ssuccess. We’re starting from a strongbase – we’re committed to communitycampaigning, our supporters areengaged, smart and active, and whenwe ask you for help we’re neverdisappointed. Our supporters canmobilise like few others in the Australianenvironmental movement. But if thebackwards steps of the CoalitionGovernment under Ted Baillieu have

shown us anything, it’s that we needmore power. We need to ‘organise’ oursupporters to build the power to wincampaigns and protect our environmentover the long term. We need to do it in away that can create change in ourcommunities at a scale we’ve never seen before.

During my three months in the US Isaw the best and the worst of the fightagainst coal. In Seattle, where I spent themonth leading up to the US election, Iexperienced community organising at itsbest, with thousands of people directlyengaging across towns and suburbs tostop a new coal export proposal in thestate. In Chicago, I met the volunteerwho kick-started the Beyond Coalcampaign from her garage. In WestVirginia, I saw the devastation caused by Mountain Top Removal miningpractices and witnessed what happenswhen corruption and cronyism allowsbig mining companies to do whateverthey want.

But two things stayed with me aboveall else. One, an organisation withcommitted supporters, determined toshift the power base for environmentalprotection, should never beunderestimated. And two, while thissometimes feels like a lonely path we’rewalking, there really are people just likeyou and me in every town across theworld fighting on their patch to stop theclimate crisis. Even in the face of

unimaginable environmentaldestruction, people are standing up forwhat is right with dignity and with hope.

Their wins, however big or small,combined with those in communitiesacross the world, including right here inVictoria, hint at the global movementthat will one day conquer the climatecrisis. We’re not there yet, but we’re onthe way.

Can you help with talking to people in your community, spreading the word with leaflets and posters, or calling other volunteers to get them signed up? Get involved atenvironmentvictoria.org.au/volunteer

Left: A massive community campaign acrossWashington state has shut one coal-firedpower station, and is now coming after coalexport proposals.

Below left: The influence of the coal industryis evident in the small town of Sylvester, WestVirginia, where the coal industry reignssupreme despite the health andenvironmental problems they create.

S A F E C L I M AT E

THANK YOU!Armed with this new knowledge,we’re ready to build stronger, widerand deeper community action thanever before. Big coal won’t knowwhat hit them! And it’s thanks toyou. Your support helped make thisjourney possible, so thank you.

“AUSTRALIA HAS A PRECIOUS ANDunique environment that we should beproud of and retain for futuregenerations,” explains Geoff. “We needto see the environment as part of ourhousekeeping duties. Victoria is ourhome and if we fail to care for it, we willhave nowhere to live.”

Geoff’s top environmental concern isclimate change. He believes manyVictorians care about an impendingclimate crisis but are naïve about itspotential severity. “We live on the driestcontinent in the world. As custodians,what we need is to better resource andlook after what we have.”

Geoff says he and Simone supportEnvironment Victoria because itsprojects and programs reflect their viewsabout where we, as Victorians and worldcitizens, should be heading.“Environment Victoria shares our passionfor sustainability and is at the forefrontof driving real change around activelyprotecting our environment andeducating people about it – which isincredibly important,” says Geoff.

As a result, when it was time for Geoffand Simone to think about their Will, thecouple chose to support EnvironmentVictoria. “We thought that it wasappropriate to do something wise withour money, so it could have real impactwell into the future.”

While Geoff is enthusiastic aboutEnvironment Victoria’s capacity to “givevalue for money” to its supporters, he isscathing of the government’s lack of willin leading Victorians towards asustainable future. As co-owner (alongwith Simone) of Sustainable Impact, abusiness that supplies and installs solarpower systems in the Gippsland areaand one of the longest-running solaroperations in Australia, Geoff has first-hand experience of the impact of thegovernment’s negative policies onpeople and the planet. In fact, the lack ofgovernment support for the solarindustry forced Geoff’s business to shedjobs a few months ago.

“At the moment, we seem to beputting development and growth aheadof the environment,” says Geoff. “Thegovernment gives millions and millionsto coal-fired power companies. But itwithdraws support for solar and wind,and it also undermines public supportfor green industry by changing theirpolicy direction every six months.”

“It’s not our generation that will sufferthe consequences of how we behave inthe world,” says Geoff. “I fear for Zoe andwhat she will see. We named her Zoe Hopebecause Zoe means life and we wished ahopeful life for her and the planet.”

In fact, it’s hope that inspired Geoff’sand Simone’s bequest to EnvironmentVictoria, for which we are deeply grateful.

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F O R E V E R G R E E N

Geoff Boadle opts to be FOREVERGREEN

> Carmella Ferraro

Geoff Boadle and his partner Simone Goeckes have been proud financial supporters of Environment

Victoria for more than a decade. The couple, who are now the newly-minted parents of a seven-week-old

daughter Zoe Hope, took their support one step further last year, and made a lasting legacy to

Environment Victoria in their Will. We spoke with Geoff about what drove him to be Forever Green.

If you would like to join people like Geoff in leaving hope as a lasting gift tofuture generations, please head to environmentvictoria.org.au/forevergreenor call Amber on 9341 8100.

“It’s not our generation that will suffer the consequences of howwe behave in the world. I fear for Zoe and what she will see. Wenamed her Zoe Hope, because Zoe means life and we wished ahopeful life for her and the planet.”

Geoff and Simone run Sustainable Impact in Trafalgar, Victoria

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R E C L A I M V I C T O R I A’ S E N V I R O N M E N T

As part of our Reclaim Victoria’sEnvironment campaign, we’reorganising communities in targetedlocations across Victoria, recruitingand organising volunteer campaignteams, to build neighbourhoodpower on a scale that our leaderscan’t ignore. In the past six months we’ve:• Doubled our volunteer base.

We now have over 500 volunteercampaigners putting up theirhands to take action for ourenvironment. That’s double ourbase from just six months ago, andwe plan to be 1,000-strong by theend of 2013.

• Reached thousands. Over 8,000Victorians have signed our petition.More than 2,500 have had a face-to-face conversation with acampaigner. And over 100,000 havereceived a campaign leaflet.

• We’ve already had an impact.We’ve put the spotlight on theGovernment, prompting them todefend their environmentalcredentials, and forcing them torelease an environment policy atlast. And we’re just getting started.

It’s all been led by you. More thanever before, our campaign events arebeing not just supported, butorganised and led by our supporters.This is your campaign now.To everyone who has already been apart of this — through street stalls,phone banks, letterboxing, signingand circulating petitions and yourgenerous donations — thank you! Toeveryone else — what are youwaiting for?

Community in action> Mick Power, Community Campaigner

If we’re going to get the environment back on the political agenda in

Victoria, we need thousands of Victorians standing up to take action.“Very great change

starts from verysmall conversations,held among peoplewho care.”

–Margaret Wheatley

Want to get involved? Head to environmentvictoria.org.au/reclaim/volunteer

A MILLION THANKSfor your support toReclaim Victoria’sEnvironment, especiallyfor giving us the POWER tomobilise Victoria with ournew Campaigner Mick!

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S A F E C L I M AT E

ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONALEnergy Agency, in 2011 fossil-fuelconsumption subsidies worldwidetotaled $523 billion, $111 billion higherthan the previous year. By comparison,financial support to renewable energyin 2011 amounted to just $88 billion.

Removing these fossil fuel subsidieswould provide half the carbon savingsneeded to prevent dangerous climatechange. As long as they continue, weare literally paying for climate change.

Despite the recent introduction of thecarbon price, Australia is no exception.Our federal government dishes out anestimated $11-13 billion annually infossil fuel subsidies. That’s three timeswhat they spend on public education!

Very few Australians know theshocking truth about these polluterhandouts. With your help, we’re goingto change that.

Thanks to the fantastic support ofindividuals like you, we recentlylaunched an exciting new nationalcampaign, ‘Paid to Pollute’, which aimsto strip away the billions of dollarsinvested in polluting activities and level

the playing field for clean energy. Andthe timing is perfect, with calls in recentmonths from the World Bank, theInternational Energy Agency, G20 andthe United Nations for an end to fossilfuel subsidies. Those are some prettypowerful campaign allies!

As a starting point, we’ve set oursights on on Australia’s four largest fossilfuel subsidies and are calling on WayneSwan to remove them in the upcomingFederal budget. And nearly 2000Environment Victoria supporters havejoined our call by making their ownsubmission to the Treasurer! Cutting justthese Big Four subsidies would deliverbudget savings of almost $9 billion peryear, and more importantly, would shiftone of the biggest barriers tomeaningful climate action in Australia.

We know that the polluters will fightwith all their might to hang on to theirhandouts, but we’re confident that witha smart campaign and a plan tomobilise and communicate in keyelectorates in coming months, we’ll beable to cut off public funding topolluting industries.

Paid to Pollute> Mark Wakeham, Campaigns Director

HOW YOU ANDOTHERS WILL HELPTO END POLLUTERHANDOUTS

It’s only when people worktogether that we can createsystemic change. Thanks toyour support, this is howwe’ll win it.

• Sending thousands ofsubmissions to the Treasurercalling for the removal offossil fuel subsidies

• Groundbreaking researchshowing that polluting coal-fired power stations areprofiting from carbon taxcompensation

• Building a national alliance ofenvironment groups andothers calling for the removalof fossil fuel subsidies

• Researching which miningcompanies receive thelargest diesel subsidies andpublicising this in the media

• Actions outside key MPs’offices around the country

• A national day of action atpetrol stations informingmotorists that they arepaying more for diesel thanmining companies

• Massive promotion includingbillboards in Wayne Swan’sseat and at Canberra airport

• The first sustainedcommunity campaign to endpolluter handouts beyondthe federal budget andelection

Imagine if your taxpayer dollars were being used to make our most

polluting and profitable companies even more profitable. Well that’s

exactly what’s happening in Australia and around the world today.

TAKE ACTIONWant to help overcome one of the biggest barriers to stoppingcatastrophic climate change? Please fill in the donation form on page 15,or online at environmentvictoria.org.au/paid-to-pollute

Thank YOU!It’s only because of your supportthat we can take on such bigchallenges for our environmentand future generations. Thanksfor taking action and making thiscampaign big, bold and effective.

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E T H I C A L M O N E Y W E E K

> Kelly O’Shanassy, Chief Executive Officer

Take the ethical money challenge

Is your money harming our environment? How you invest and manage your personal wealthcan have a big impact on our environment. Thehard-earned savings you deposit at the bank, yoursuper or your investments could be used to financecoal plants, uranium mines or habitat destruction.So without your realising it, your money could befunding the very things you spend so much timeand energy working to change. But with ethicalmoney, you can ensure that your money is used tocreate the future you want.

What is ethical investment?Ethical investment seeks to return not just financialbut social and environmental value. In other words,it is investment that reaps dividends for people andthe planet as well as returning profit.

If you care about climate change, resource scarcityor ecosystem decline, you’ll want to invest yourmoney with banks, super funds and investmentmanagers that look for economic solutions andinvestment opportunities that will help resolvethese mounting problems, not make them worse.That’s ethical investment.

What about the financial returns?There’s an old misconception that investing ethicallymeans sacrificing returns. In fact, ethicalinvestments perform on par with, if not better than,regular investment.

If you think about it, this isn’t surprising. Bydefinition, ethical investments are future focused.They minimise exposure to the financial risksassociated with climate change, resource andhabitat loss, water shortages and many others.

If investing for the future is important to you, thenethical investments are a good option.

Get the right adviceIf you’re going down the ethical money road, thereare a number of different approaches. The mostcommon include screening for negative or positiveimpacts, investing in the best companies in eachsector or investing in a particular theme such asrenewable energy or sustainable forestry. Eachapproach has its pros and cons.

You’re an advocate for our magnificent environment. And we love you for it. You’vegot efficient lights and maybe a rainwater tank at home and even solar panels.You’ve signed petitions and attended rallies, given generously to the environmentand you believe in a sustainable future. Sound like you?

Then why not take the Ethical Money Challenge to make sure you’re investing yourmoney in line with your pretty amazing values. If you decide your investments arenot the right shade of green, make the switch to ethical money by Friday, 3 May.

Source RIAA. Responsible Investment Report in Australia and New Zealand 2011 (% returns pa to June 2011, excluding management fees)

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years

AUSTRALIAN SHARE FUNDS

Average RI Fund 10.81 0.98 2.38 8.38

Average Mainstream Fund 10.09 0.17 1.65 7.63

S&P/ASX300 11.90 0.26 2.37 8.38

OVERSEAS SHARE FUNDS

Average RI Fund 4.66 –2.15 –0.29 5.21

Average Mainstream Fund 4.24 –3.79 –4.99 –0.89

MSCI World ex Aust. Index $A 2.66 –3.28 –5.15 1.17

RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT vs MAINSTREAM SHARE FUNDS

There are also over 100 productsavailable ranging from superannuation,to green property, fixed income,renewable energy, or communityinvestment funds, to savings accountsand loans with a responsible bank orbuilding society. And each fund has adifferent shade of green so it pays to doyour homework and get the right advice.

But it’s your money – we can’t tell youwhich fund to go with! So here are somehelpful organisations which can give youprofessional advice on how to make aninformed decision to invest ethically:• The Responsible Investment

Association Australasia (RIAA) ratesASX companies and investmentproducts on their sustainability.www.responsibleinvestment.org

• The Ethical Investor magazine andwebsite ranks the social,environmental and corporategovernance of Australian companiesand investment funds.www.ethicalinvestor.com.au

Take the Ethical Money ChallengeThe first step of the challenge is to take alook at your current investments.Whoever manages your money –whether it’s your financial adviser, your

bank, or your super fund – should beable to tell you how they manage theassociated environmental, social andgovernance factors. If that informationisn’t included in their website, the bestthing to do is give them a call and ask.

Here are a few questions you mightwant to ask:Q: Do you invest my money in activities

that harm the environment likeunsustainable logging, uranium orcoal mining?

Q: Can you tell me which types ofinvestments you make that supportthe environment like renewableenergy and energy efficiency,recycling and restoration ofthreatened eco-systems, and whatpercentage of your investments goestowards these activities?

Q: Do you have ethical banking or invest-ment products that I can switch to?

You might also want to ask aboutother issues close to your heart such asanimal welfare, alleviation of povertyand human rights.

Just by asking these questions you canmake a difference and encourage actionwithin the organisations you alreadydeal with. But if you are not convincedwith the answers given, why not Switchto Ethical Money by Friday, 3 May.

Switch to Ethical Money –It’s your call So, are you ready for action?Over the next week, we’ll send you an email tocheck in and remind you to find out more abouthow ethical your investments actually are. And at the end of April we’ll email you again toSwitch to Ethical Money if you are not satisfiedthat your current bank and investment live upto your values.Remember, it’s your money and your decision.But we know you’re passionate about thethings that matter, so why not invest yourmoney in line with your beliefs? Head on toenvironmentvictoria.org.au/ethicalmoney. Are you up for the challenge?

Why invest responsibly?There are many reasons people chooseto invest responsibly, here are the top 4from the RIAA:1. Sustainable financial returns3. To help the environment and

climate change3. To hold companies accountable4. To put your money where

your mouth is

So we invest our funds responsibly in ways that benefit you, your community and our environment.

Talk to us about our range of green and responsible products today and help make a difference to our world.

For more information call 132 888, visit bankmecu.com.au or drop into your local Service Centre.

mecu Limited ABN 21 087 651 607 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence No. 238431 trading as bankmecu. Fees and charges may apply. Terms and conditions are available on application.

At bankmecu, we believe that the future depends on a healthy planet.

Did you know we achieved carbon neutral operations over 2010/2011.

bankmecu is a true supporter of Environment Victoria initiatives including ‘Switch to Ethical Money Week’.

We prefer to invest your money in better long term

and sustainable products.

Your money, your choice. Choose a better future! Go to australianethical.com.au/EV, call 1300 134 337 or join our community at facebook.com/australianethical.

super

AUSTRALIAN ETHICAL SUPER IS THE ONLY FUND THAT DOESN’T INVEST IN COAL

People. Planet. Performance.

Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd ABN 43 079 259 733 RSEL L0001441. A PDS is available from our website or by calling us and should be considered before making an investment decision. Australian Ethical® is a registered trademark.

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A very special letter> Jack Gostencnik

It’s always nice to receive positive feedback! So we were touched to read the

following letter of encouragement from a young supporter. It’s wonderful to know

that we’re reaching a new audience and inspiring the next generation of

environmental guardians thanks to your generous support.

L E T T E R

What keeps us inspired? People like Jack.

Thank you Jack for your encouragement

and inspiring words. From the team at

Environment Victoria.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID FOR a Healthy Rivers campaign was to standon the banks of the Yarra and hand outleaflets to commuters asking them tosupport their politicians in returning thefirst 500 gigalitres of water to theMurray River.

That was almost ten years ago, andever since ‘Save the Murray’ has beenour catchcry. The Murray is our biggestriver system. It supports an incrediblearray of unique ecosystems andprovides water for billions of dollars ofagricultural production. And it’s gettinginto deeper and deeper trouble becausetoo much water is taken out and notenough left in to allow birds to breed,fish to migrate and wetlands to flourish.

Ten years ago scientists were sayingthat the Murray needed an extra 1500gigalitres. Now with the Darlingincluded the scientists say we need toreturn at least 4000 gigalitres to theriver system to keep the Murray mouthopen and salinity levels in check. TheMurray-Darling Basin Plan, passed bythe Commonwealth parliament inNovember 2012, will return 2750 GL to

the river with an extra 450 GL promisedby 2024.

It’s a big moment. For the first timethe water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin will be managed as awhole instead of according to thearbitrary lines that are state boundaries.The Plan will not return as much wateras the rivers need for their long-termsecurity, but more than they’ve had for along time.

So what made the difference? After all,the management of the Murray-DarlingBasin is extremely complex, with fourdifferent states (each of whom believestheir way of doing things is the best)and the federal government all involvedalong with a multitude of stakeholdersand vested interests, not to mention the2 million people who live there. Theturning point came in 2007, at theheight of the Millennium drought andthe river system close to ecologicalcollapse. Things were so dire that eventhe Howard Government recognisedthat a sick and degraded river wasuseless to its communities and began anational process to restore the Murray.

This led to the Commonwealth WaterAct, the formation of the Murray-DarlingBasin Authority, and (five years later) tothe Basin Plan.The Save The Murraycampaign has been a long haul. And ourwonderful supporters have been withus every step of the way. Along with ourcolleagues at ACF and other stateconservation councils and environmentgroups, we've run an incredible range ofactivities – from mock funeral for ourDarling Murray. We’ve written reports,made submissions, appeared beforecommittees, lobbied persistently inMelbourne and Canberra and talked toeveryone we could think of. And we’vehad an incredible amount of supportfrom our members and supporters, whohave come to our events, toured theMurray with us, made submissions inthe thousands, phoned their MPs whenit counted and given generously tosupport our campaign.Of course, there’splenty of work to be done to get theriver all the water it really needs for thefuture. But right now it’s worth pausingfor a minute to reflect on what’s beenachieved, and thanks to you, it’s a lot.

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W AT E R A N D H E A L T H Y R I V E R S

The long and winding road…to save the Murray

In November 2012, the historic Murray-Darling Basin Plan was

passed to restore Australia’s greatest river system. Now Juliet

Lefeuvre reflects on what’s been achieved.

> Juliet Le Feuvre

THANK YOU TOEVERYONE WHO HASSUPPORTED THE CAMPAIGN TOSAVE THE MURRAY. THIS HISTORICACHIEVEMENT BELONGS TO YOU.

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Environmental champions Late last year, we held what we hope will become our annual awards recognising some of the groups and

individuals that do outstanding work for our environment. Strong community voices have been fundamental to

every major environmental outcome ever achieved in Victoria. These environmental champions are truly inspiring.

• John PettigrewJohn Pettigrew is a farmer fromBunbartha on the Goulburn River and abona fide river champion. As theEnvironmental Farmers Network (EFN)’sspokesperson on water and energyissues, John was an invaluable ally insecuring the support of the EFN for theSave the Murray campaign. And now in2013 he’s busy formulating strategies toensure the hard-earned achievements insecuring the Basin Plan actually getimplemented to help Save the Murray.

John has also recently been appointedPresident of the Goulburn Valley

Environment Group which is contendingwith iron-ore mining, thinning of RedGums in the Barmah National Park, goldfossicking in National Parks, clearing ofnative vegetation and the exclusion ofthe public from many of our primewetlands and lakes to accommodateduck shooters.

• EDOwww.edovic.org.au

The Environment Defenders Office(EDO) is a not-for-profit, community legalservice, specialising in public interest

environmental law. It provides vitallyimportant support to groups, likeEnvironment Victoria, that are working toprotect our environment. Last year theEDO was instrumental in stopping HRL’snew brown coal-fired power station in theLatrobe Valley, through its VCAT challengeto the plant’s approval by the EPA.

In 2013, the EDO continues to advocatefor strong federal involvement inenvironmental regulation. It has also beenbusy advising groups working to protectnative forests and helping the communityto understand their rights against newmines and coal seam gas facilities.

John Pettigrew

Moorabool Environment Group

Lighter Footprints

YCAN

Alevi Community

EDO LIVE

My Environment

A R O U N D V I C T O R I A

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• LIVEwww.live.org.au

Locals into Victoria’s Environment (LIVE) isa fast-growing group of Victorianscoming together to addressenvironmental problems and climatechange through a range of innovativeactions. In recent years they’ve spent amonth on the steps of Victoria’sParliament House, held a “Carbon TaxForum” in support of the carbon priceand partnered with Environment Victoriain challenging the EPA’s decision toapprove the HRL coal-fired power station.

In 2013 LIVE Community Power, willsee the new roof of the iconic SouthMelbourne Market covered with 1000solar panels to provide power to the 200stallholders! The project is funded bymembers of the community, who willreceive a modest return on theirinvestment. Check it out atwww.live.org.au/live-community-power

• Lighter Footprintswww.lighterfootprints.org

Lighter Footprints has grown from alocal group focusing on reducing theirecological footprint at home, to a groupharnessing the power of communities tocreate political pressure for seriousaction on climate change. They’ve runpublic forums and street stalls and sentover 1000 signed letters to Canberra.

In 2013 Lighter Footprints will befocusing on the big issues for the Federalelection like energy efficiency,renewables and economic reform. Theirbiggest event this year will be a forum inJuly on Federal candidates standing inKooyong and Chisholm.

• Alevi CommunityThe Alevi Community Council ofAustralia is a not-for-profit voluntaryorganisation that works with the Alevicommunity in Australia. EnvironmentVictoria’s involvement with the AleviCommunity began in 2008 when they

participated in our award-winningGreentown program. Since then, theyhave gone on to develop the ‘LookingTowards the Climate Future’ program in2010 and delivered green homeassessments across Turkish speakingcommunities. In 2012 they continuedtheir great work on our MulticulturalClimate Action project, reaching out toTurkish speaking farmers in Mildura.

• MooraboolEnvironment Groupwww.mooraboolmeg.org.auMoorabool Environment Group are anexample of the community campaignersacross the state who are fighting day inand day out against the dangerousexpansion plans of the coal industry.Distressed to discover that MantleMining was planning exploration drillingon their land, Kate Tubbs and Deb Porterof the Moorabool Environment Grouphave mobilised their community andheld Mantle Mining to account. They’vesince built a strong network of localscommitted to opposing new coal miningin their area, and taken their message –along with a load of fresh produce – tothe steps of Parliament House in Victoria!

• YCANwww.ycan.org.au

Yarra Climate Action Now was formed in2007 by local people who wanted to takecollective – and politically-engagedaction against the climate crisis. At thelocal level, YCAN have helped the City ofYarra introduce and implement theircarbon neutrality by 2020 goal as well asinitiatives in urban agriculture, wastemanagement and cycling infrastructure.Their famous 43-week protest outsidestate MP Richard Wynne’s office helpedshift the Brumby Government’s climateand energy policies 180 degrees and theirVote Climate campaign has helped createa steady increase in votes for climate-action candidates in inner-Melbourne.

• MyEnvironment www.myenvironment.net.auMyEnvironment is not afraid to take onthe big battles for our forests. Theyformed in 2002 in response to localcommunity concern regarding thelogging of the giant ash forests of theCentral Highlands. Their first campaignsuccessfully prevented the logging of asite in Marysville adjacent to Keppelsfalls. A volunteer-run organisation, madeup of over 800 members, it has since hada string of successes protectingimportant habitat for the LeadbeatersPossum and Baw Baw Frog.

In 2011, with the support of theWilderness Society, My Environmentchallenged VicForests’ right to logendangered species’ habitat under stateand Commonwealth laws and removedAustralian Paper’s right to the FSCcertification for their Reflex copy paper.

of Victoria> Tom Hartney, Communications Officer

“The VictorianGovernment seemsintent on keeping usbusy by eroding muchof the environmentalprotection gainedover many decades...but I look forward tojoining with like-minded communitymembers to facefuture challenges.” – John Pettigrew

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“WHATEVER THE PRODUCT,” WRITESNick Ray, founder of the EthicalConsumer Guide, “It will have, or hashad, some impact on the environment.”

With the right choices, you can reducethe environmental impact of yourspending and even get your moneytaking green action for you.

We all need to eat, but following some

simple principles when shopping forfood can make a big difference for theenvironment. Ultimately we want toreduce the amount of money that findsits way to the highly-polluting fossil fueland chemical industries (via transportfuel, pesticides and artificial fertilisers). 1) BUY IT AS LOCAL AS POSSIBLE. This reducescarbon emissions through foodtransport. And consider how and howfar you travel to buy food. This can havea bigger impact than the distance thefood travels. 2) BUY IN SEASON. Check out EnvironmentVictoria’s guide to seasonal buying atenvironmentvictoria.org.au. Food grownin season generally required lessresources and is better quality. 3) BUY ORGANIC. No poisons andpesticides, no artificial fertilisers. 4) GROW YOUR OWN! Minimise spendingaltogether. 5) AVOID THE SUPERMARKET whenever youcan. Shop at farmers’ markets and localbusinesses.

The Ethical Consumer Guide, Australia’s

Sustainable Seafood Guide and theSustainable Table provide simple guideson how to make wise choices aboutwhich products you purchase.

If you have a hefty chunk of moneyburning a hole in your pocket, considerpurchasing solar power or hot water. Thiscan be an investment that simultaneouslyreturns savings on energy bills, and

reduces your ecological footprint. Checkout the Clean Energy Council’s guide forinformation on making informed choiceson solar products.

But there’s a catch – spending themoney you have saved throughgenerating your own renewable energyon a jet ski or a flight to Broome equatesto a net loss for the environment. Thisbehaviour is an example of a reboundeffect, in which positive environmentalbehaviours are cancelled out byconsequent negative behaviours. Thebest way to ‘spend’ that money may beto re-invest it, or save up for your nexthome retrofit project.

A key Principal highlighted in theEthical Consumer Guide is ‘AvoidUnnecessary Consumption’. It is up toyou to decide what necessary means, butasking yourself ‘do I really need it?’ everytime you buy is a better default positionthan ‘I have the money, so why not?’

“The less we consume,” saysEnvironment Victoria’s Charlie Davie,“The smaller our environmental footprintis. So one of the best ways to take yourenvironmental responsibilities seriouslyis to limit the amount of money youspend, and the amount of stuff you buy.Working less, spending less and havingmore time for the family and communityactivities can be a great antidote to ourconsumption-dominated lifestyles.”

It may be that the last word belongs toAnnie Leonard, from her latest movie,The Story of Change : “Of course weneed to choose the right products, butit’s citizens, not shoppers, who hold thekey to a better world.”

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S U S T A I N A B L E L I F E S T Y L E S

HUNGRY FOR MORE INFO?ETHICAL CONSUMER GUIDE www.ethical.org.auAUSTRALIA’S SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD GUIDE www.sustainableseafood.org.au/SUSTAINABLE TABLE www.sustainabletable.org.au/THE STORY OF CHANGE www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-change/

“Often you can feel thatyour small purchasedoesn’t really matter.You are one person in aworld of six billion. Infact, it is because eachsmall purchase doeshave an impact andthere are six billion+people that it all adds upto one big difference.”

— Nick Ray,

Ethical Consumer Guide.

Get yourmoneyto takeGreenAction> Melissa Howard and Charlie Davie,Sustainable Living Managers

Money! How, where and

how much we spend makes

a huge difference to our

ecological footprint.

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URGENT: Stop funding catastrophic climate change.YES! I want to safeguard Victoria’s environment, climate and clean energy future from devastating brown coaldevelopments in the Latrobe Valley. Please accept my donation of:

■■ $100 ■■ $250 ■■ $500 ■■ $1000 ■■ Surprise us $ _______________

Please find enclosed: ■■ Cheque or ■■ Money Order (payable to Environment Victoria Inc.)

Or charge my credit card as follows. ■■ Amex ■■ Mastercard ■■ Visa

Cardholder’s name: ________________________________________Expiry date: __ __ / __ __ Signature: ___________________________

Card number:

■■ Please send me information about how I can create a Victoria that’s FOREVER GREEN by making a gift to Environment Victoria in my Will.

■■ Please send me info about how I can safeguard Victoria;s environment for the long term by becoming a green Action Partner

Are your personal details correct on your letter? Or are you moving soon? Please update your personal information here if necessary.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Title: First Name: Family Name:

Address:

Suburb: State: Postcode:

Email:

Tel: (BH) (AH)

Please complete this form, tear off this page and return it to Reply Paid 12575, A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC 8006 or visit

www.environmentvictoria.org.au/give and make your donation online. Thank you for your generosity!

S A F E C L I M AT E

E S C A P E T O W A R AT A H B AY !

Chief Executive OfficerKelly O’Shanassy

CAMPAIGNS & PROGRAMSCampaigns Director Mark WakehamHealthy Rivers Campaigner Juliet Le FeuvreSafe Climate Campaign Manager Victoria McKenzie-McHargSustainable Living Program Manager Charlie Davie Michele BurtonSustainable Living Project Manager Nina BaileyDomenica SettleKat Gaita Eva GaitaCommunity Campaigner Mick Power

Communications Manager Alex MeroryCommunications Officer Tom Hartney

OPERATIONSOrganisational Services Manager Ivan Kolker Accounts Officer Helen VineAdministration Officer Keran FeganFundraising Manager Amber SpruntDatabase Officer Tony Cox

BOARDPresident Elizabeth McKinnonVice-President Robyn MurphySue NoyAmanda NuttallJames MeldrumSimone ZmoodHugh WarehamAlison RoweDieter SchadtJoan StaplesCarl Young

REGULAR VOLUNTEERSJanet GellieIan HazewinkelLance LesselsBob MichaelLes SmithCate Hoyle

Richard WhatleyChristy ArnottLynne HolroydNeil BarterAnne MartinelliDave Campbell

TALK TO USPhone(03) 9341 8100 Emailadmin@environmentvictoria.org.auFax(03) 9341 8199

PO Box 12575A’Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006

www.environmentvictoria.org.au

WHO’SWHO AT

Did you know you can donate online? www.environmentvictoria.org.au/give

You’re amazing! You take action to

support Victoria’s Environment and

climate and you put your money where

your mouth is. But you can’t be taking

green action all the time. That’s why we

need more people like you!

FIRST PRIZE: An eco- friendly holiday inWaratah Bay, Victoria. Situatednext to the striking beauty ofCape Liptrap Coastal Park and100m walk to pristine beach thatstretches for 8 km. Sleeps afamily of 6 comfortably. Valued at $1,000.

SO WHY NOT CLONE YOURSELF? Find some friends and family members, who want to protect Victoria’senvironment too, and sign them up as a Green Action Partner. Instant clone.

The person who generates the most new Green Action Partners with amonthly gift of $30 or more will win an eco-friendly holiday in stunningWaratah Bay.

And if you’re not a Green Action Partner already, you can join as part of thecompetition. That’s one down already. The sky’s the limit!

So go forth and multiply. Have an even bigger impact. Then escape to aprivate paradise that you deserve!

Competition ends on 30 June 2013 so start planning your cloning tactics.

THANK YOU to Geoff and Simone Boadle, long term supporters ofEnvironment Victoria, for the donation of their holiday home in thisstunning part of our precious environment. Without their generosity thiswould not be possible.

Disclaimer: Environment Victoria does notendorse the cloning of animals or humans.

F o r m o r e i n f o a n d t o e n t e r t h e c o m p e t i t i o n v i s i t w w w . e n v i r o n m e n t v i c t o r i a . o r g . a u / c l o n e s