Climate activist Shannon Loughnane arrived in Benalla on Saturday one-third of his way through a walk from Coburg to Canberra.

Benalla Mayor Scott Upston, Shannon Loughnane, John
Lloyd (Renewable Energy Benalla) and Peter Maddock
 (Benalla Sustainable Future Group).

He was greeted by locals at an event organised by the Benalla Sustainable Future Group (BSFG) and took the opportunity to talk to community members about climate change.

BSFG president Peter Maddock introduced the event and welcomed Mr Loughnane to Benalla.

‘‘It was probably about two months ago that Shannon contacted us and told us about his project,’’ Mr Maddock said.

‘‘And we thought we would take the opportunity to hold this event and invite people from the local community to talk about what they’re doing locally and to find out what Shannon’s walk is all about.’’

The event was supported by a grant from Benalla Rural City Council, and Mayor Scott Upston spoke to the audience about the fundraiser and the importance of addressing climate change before handing over to Mr Loughnane, who by this stage had just about caught his breath.

‘‘Indigenous people lived sustainably on this land for more than 50 000 years and they were living in harmony with the natural environment,’’ Mr Loughnane said.

‘‘So when we talk about climate change it is very much something that colonisation and industrialisation brought along with it. ‘‘The climate emergency is here. ‘‘You won’t hear me saying the words ‘climate change’, as now we are experiencing a climate emergency.

‘‘The amount of carbon dioxide gas in our atmosphere is above levels not seen for millions Doing their bit: of years when trees were growing in the southern pole and sea levels were 20 m higher.

‘‘I can tell you that the last four years were the hottest on record, and 18 of the 19 hottest years on record have been since 2000.

‘‘The UNHCR estimates that about 250 million people could be displaced from their homes by 2050.

‘‘But the climate emergency is offering social and economic opportunities.

‘‘There are thousands and potentially millions of jobs in renewable infrastructure and energy waiting to be unlocked around the globe.

‘‘So this moment in history is not all about doom and gloom,’’ Mr Loughnane said.

‘‘If we address the issue properly we can make a difference to our environment and offer people opportunities.’’

Mr Loughnane spoke in detail about those opportunities and how we, as a society, could unlock them before taking questions from the audience.

The engagement highlighted a real drive by Benalla locals to address climate change and to find ways to do their bit.

After the event Mr Loughnane enjoyed some rest and relaxation before setting off towards Canberra on Sunday.

• Story from The Shepparton News by Simon Ruppert - “Time right to help climate.”

(Shannon was interviewed by Climate Conversations).

Murray-Darling’s future hangs in the balance

Just outside the north-eastern Victorian town of Benalla, along a turn-off from the Hume Highway, lies an historical aberration that even authorities struggle to explain.

Winton Wetlands, near Benalla, are a reclaimed water
storage that locals hope will become a tourist lure.

The Winton Wetlands, so visitor signage tells us, were formerly Lake Mokoan, a shallow dam built in 1970 and then given back to the environment four decades later.

It is one of few reversals in nature's favour in the entire Murray-Darling river system.

Read Peter Hannam’s story from The Age - “Murray-Darling’s future hangs in the balance.”

Less energy and more comfort in Benalla

Advice on retrofitting an existing home with view to energy efficiency and thermal comfort has been organized by the Benalla Sustainable Future Group.

The information session on Saturday, August 13, will feature Lyn Beinat from Tullamarine’s ecoMaster.

Ms Beinat, who will explain who people can transform their homes to ensure thay are cosy in winter and a cool in summer, no matter what the temperature is outside, will speak at BPACC, 57 Samaria Rd, Benalla from 1:00pm.

The event, which will show participants how to protect their homes from rising energy costs by taking control of household’s energy consumption; and within that pave the way for a healthier, happier planet by taking their home’s carbon emissions into their hands, will end at 4.30pm.

Those eager to attend should phone 5760 2607 by Wednesday, August 10, to ensure their place and allow for catering.

Benalla people act on the National Day of Climate Action

People from in and around Benalla walking
 to illustrate their discomfort with climate
decisions made by the Tony Abbott
 led Coalition Government.

Benalla and district people were among the tens of thousands of Australians have turned out for climate change rallies across the nation last Sunday, calling on the Abbott Government to keep the carbon tax.
The National Day of Climate Action was organised by activist groups including GetUp!, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Organisers say about 60,000 participated at the rallies, which were held in capital cities and more than 130 towns and regional centres.

Benalla and District Residents Join National Day of Climate Action

 On Sunday 17^th November, more than one hundred people attended the Benalla Climate Rally which was organised by Benalla Sustainable Future Group. People came from Yarrawonga, Wangaratta, Mansfield and Euroa to join with Benalla residents and take part in the National Day of Climate Action.

 President, John Lloyd, said that the major focus of this National Day of Action was to send the following message to the Abbott government and all politicians. “It is time to stop playing politics and do something meaningful about climate change – our future depends on it.”

 BSFG member, Yvonne Szwedyc, spoke about the impact of the Black Saturday bushfires and also highlighted the number of species that would become extinct if strong action was not taken to mitigate climate change.

 

Bedecked in their 'heatwave' colours
the people from Benalla and district
gather to illustrate their disapproval of our
government's climate decisions.

Rob Knowles, a representative of the Fire Fighters union also addressed the rally and emphasised that climate change is having an effect on the frequency and intensity of bushfires. He said, “The bushfire season is starting earlier. Look at the recent NSW fires in October – and the official fire season hadn’t even been declared! All emergency services personnel are demanding action on climate change because they are the front line services that have to respond to the bush fires, floods and other extreme weather events.”

 Over one hundred signatures were collected on a petition calling on Cathy McGowan, the Member for Indi, to promote within the federal parliament much stronger action on climate change. This includes increasing to 25 percent the reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, implementing a price and a cap on carbon emissions to help achieve stronger emission cuts and a commitment to move Australia from fossil fuels to more renewable energy.

 The Benalla rally was one of more than 100 events held right around the country intended to send the new government a powerful signal that Australians won’t stand for going backwards on climate action. People across the nation are turning up the heat, calling on the government to aim higher on climate.

Building for tomorrow - ideas in Benalla

Building for Zero Carbon Emissions and Low Energy Bills

 “Australia's buildings could halve their energy use within a decade, to make a major contribution to reducing the nation's carbon emissions – and save money on energy bills in the long run as well.”

This is the major message of the ‘Zero Carbon Australia Buildings Plan’, the latest report from Beyond Zero Emissions. The report continues, “We can choose to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to lock in fossil fuel use, or retrofit our buildings for the future now.”

 Trent Hawkins, the lead author of the plan, will present the report at a general meeting of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group on Thursday,  October 24, at The Uniting Church, Carrier Street, Benalla at 7.30 pm.

 Trent Hawkins says, “Imagine buildings efficiency programs in the near future which include the features of a "virtual power station", with solar panels, heat-pump boosted solar hot water, reverse-cycle air conditioning, bulk and foil insulation, air sealing, induction cooktops, and efficient LED lighting. Our plan also includes auditing and upgrading existing, poor performing air conditioning units at little or no cost to consumers, as part of a comprehensive plan to build the one big community wide "virtual power station".

 The ‘Zero Carbon Buildings Plan’ has been developed by Beyond Zero Emissions and Melbourne University’s Melbourne Energy Institute. Beyond Zero Emissions Inc. is a not-for-profit research and education organisation known for its work designing and implementing a zero emissions economy for Australia. Its goal is to transform Australia from a 19th century fossil fuel-based, emissions intensive economy to a 21st-century renewable-energy-powered clean-technology economy.

 How often do you wonder why tougher environmental standards for buildings aren’t more actively enforced and why we are still building low-performance buildings?  At a time when the cost of electricity continues to rise, high-performing energy efficient homes offer much needed respite from cost-of-living pressures, while responding to the challenges of the climate crisis.

Whatever your incentive, energy efficient building design and sustainable performance is an absolute no-brainer. It would reduce Australia's total carbon emissions. It would present energy savings for bill payers and more healthy and comfortable homes.

The Zero Carbon Buildings Plan demonstrates that there are no technical barriers to zero emission buildings in Australia. This is achieved through a planned energy efficiency retrofit of the existing building stock and onsite renewable energy generation.

Members of the public are welcome to hear more details of the Zero Carbon Buildings Plan at the Benalla Sustainable Future Group Meeting on Thursday,  October 24,  at the Uniting Church, Carrier Street, Benalla at 7:30 pm. For further information contact John Lloyd on 5765 2476 or andrewslloyd@iinet.net.au