Joint Statement to Prime Minister about CPRS amendments

Have your say on the Federal Government's recently announced CPRS amendments.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has coordinated the sign on of key environmental and community groups to a joint statement to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd expressing our serious concerns about the 2020 emissions reduction target, the influence of the carbon pollution lobby and the fundamental flaws of the CPRS.

Please join us in letting the Federal Government know the community demands real action, not token efforts, to secure Australia's climate future.

Read the Joint Statement here .

Take a look at the CPRS: delays, deals and dud targets article on our website.

Find out more about this year's Walk Against Warming .

The future of NSW shark fin exports – Your chance to comment

Our push to Stop Shark Fin Exports has reached a new level of urgency with the Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, set to make a decision that could keep NSW exporting the fins of threatened and endangered sharks for years to come.

Public submissions are being accepted until Monday 18
May and we urge you to take a moment to add your voice
to the support for an end to this destructive and
unsustainable practice.

With 90 per cent of the world’s sharks already gone it is time to act to protect those that remain. Add to the pressure not to renew the WTO export licence for shark products by clicking here .

Read more about the New South Wales Ocean Trap and Line Fishery environmental assessment under the EPBC Act here .

World Environment Day Awards & Dinner

6.30pm, Thursday 4 June 2009
Gallery Function Centre, University of Technology, Sydney

Come and help us celebrate the extraordinary effects of conservationists and environmental activists across the state. Along with great food and wine, you'll have a chance to win prizes including food hampers, movie tickets, a case of organic wine and whale watching tickets.

Tickets on sale now - $65 for Individuals /$55 for Members when booking groups of 4 people or more / $50 for EcoFriends. RSVP by Monday 25 May.
Download a booking form or give us a call on (02) 9279 2466.

Read more ...

Experience the power of community action

All interested residents and Challenge participants in the North Sydney and Warringah council areas are invited to attend the Midway Meetup of the Community Climate Challenge.

With more than 900 households now signed up for the Challenge across the two areas, the program has already been a great success, with more to come! Come along to the Midway Meetup to find out what has been acheived so far in your area and to hear from expert speakers on how to make your home more sustainable and the power of community action.

North Sydney Climate Challenge Midway Meetup

NCC Western Region Bushfire Management Workshop

Biodiversity, TSR’s and Bushfire Management

Date: Sat 9th and Sun 10th May 2009
Location: The Kelso Hotel, Bathurst

The two-day workshop will focus on bushfire management in terms of implications for biodiversity with a special focus on Travelling Stock Routes management and the consequences of altered fire regimes in the face of climate change.

The interactive workshop will include speakers from:
 · Charles Sturt University    · NCC Hotspots Fire Project
 · NSW Rural Fire Service    · NSW Rural Lands Protection Board
 · QLD Traveling Stock Route Reserve Network

Read more ...

Biodiversity Under Fire: The Nature Conservation Council's Seventh Bushfire Conference

Biodiversity Under Fire
Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd June, 2009
NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre,
Surry Hills, Sydney

Registration and abstract submissions are now open!

Key Speakers include:
•    Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons- NSW RFS
•    Professor Ross Bradstock- University of Wollongong
•    Dr Cuong Tran- Griffith University
•    Dr Trent Penman- Bushfire CRC
•    Dr Alan York- University of Melbourne
•    Dr Kevin Tolhurst- University of Melbourne

The conference will be opened by The Honourable Steve Whan, Minister for Emergency Services.

Read more ...

Let the Son Shine: An Australian Catholic Response to Climate Change

Reverend Charles Rue's Let the Son Shine explores how Catholics need to cooperate with others on the climate challenge at a deep level, but at this time they must strive to get the church’s own house
in order. "Neglect would be a sin of omission".

This paper explores two major ways to address Catholic thinking and acting on climate change in the light of faith:
• prayer at every stage of a Catholic missionary response to climate
change
• systematic response, using the see-judge-act model.

For copies of the booklet contact call the Columban JPIC Office on 02 9352 8000 or email: cmi@columban.org.au
Price: $15ea including postage (less for multiple copies)

Positions vacant

Genetic Engineering Campaigner: Greenpeace
Closing Date: Wednesday 6 May, 2009

Senior Environmental Health Officer: Department of Environment and Climate Change
Closing Date: Friday 8 May, 2009

Volunteer Engagement Officer: Conservation Volunteers Australia
Closing Date: Sunday 10 May, 2009

Senior Air Policy & Programs Officer: Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
Closing Date: Friday 15 May, 2009
Contact Nadia Kanhoush on 02-9995-5827 or email: nadia.kanhoush@environment.nsw.gov.au

Sustainability Strategy Officer: Bathurst Regional Council
Closing Date: Tuesday 19 May, 2009

Upcoming events

Media Training Workshop
9am-5pm, Thursday 7 May, 2009
Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Pitt St, Sydney
Cost:$175 / $110 NGO /$75 Nature Conservation Council members

Planet in Crisis: Where to from here?. Hosted by Ian Cohen MLC
6:30pm - 9:30pm, Wednesday 13 May, 2009
Ferguson Hall, St Stephens Uniting Church, Macquarie St Sydney
Hear Cate Faehrmann about what is required by the community to create political and actual action on climate change. Other speakers include Senator Bob Brown and Professor Geoff Evans from the University of Newcastle.
RSVP: jocelyn.howden@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Bill McKibben on 350: The most important number on Earth. Hosted by
University of Sydney
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie St, Sydney

Freak weather and Natural Disasters
6:30pm - 8.15pm, Thursday 7 May, 2009
Australian Musuem, William Street Entrance, 6 College Street, Sydney
Cost: $30
Call Australian Museum on (02) 9320 6225

Gardens of the World
1:00-2:00pm, Thursday 7 May, 2009
Stanton Library, Ridge St, North Sydney

From Cremorne to Copenhagen: how to change the climate in 2009
Tuesday 12 May, 6:30 - 8pm
Hutley Hall, North Sydney Council
200 Miller St, North Sydney
RSVP on (02) 9936 8100 or email: anne.miller@northsydney.nsw.gov.au

Southern NSW Regional Indian Myna Conference. Hosted by the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group
9am, Friday 15 May, 2009
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge Street, Nowra, NSW
Call Bill Handke on (02) 6231 7461 or email: handke@grapevine.net.au

Koala Conservation Conference
9am-4pm, Friday May 22, 2009
Whitebrook Theatre, Southern Cross University
Lismore, NSW
Cost: $100 (Concession $40)

Gardens of Chile and Brazil
6:30pm - 8:30pm, Monday May 25
Annie Wyatt Room, NSW National Trust Centre, Observatory Hill, Millers Point
Cost: $40/$35 members

Latest Nature Conservation Council submissions

Moolarben Coal Project Stage 2 & Stage 1 Modification
Wednesday, 29 April 2009

NSW Biodiversity Strategy: discussion paper    
Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Submissions open

Leafs Gully Gas-Fired Power Station
Until 24 April, 2009

Advertise your Green Products in our next edition

Be the envy of the bbq with the NEW Save Fluffy Stubby Holder

Help save the Grey Nurse Shark!

Adopt a Shark today

Nominations are now open for the 2008 World Environment Day Awards