BREAZE

If you'd like to make your voice heard to the decision makers at the Copenhagen conference, here's a great way to do it.

The Victorian Government has recently released its Climate Change Green Paper – it’s the initial part of the merry-go-round that is set in motion that eventuates in the drafting of Bills that are ultimately presented to Parliament to be voted upon. It’s all part of a two tone affair: green fading into white which is the final draft that is presented for the thumbs-up or the thumbs-down.

The Green Paper is the first step of the dance where we the voting public, we the shareholders in what is called ‘our democratic process’ get to have a say. I would sincerely request that all members have a say, put into writing your thoughts on the government’s proposal; anything from a massive thoroughly researched and footnoted tome through to a personal letter pleading for sanity will suffice. But don’t let the ‘bastards’ [thanks Don] escape without hearing from you. What you have to say and how you want to say it is important. What’s more, once you’ve lodged your submission send us a copy so that we can gauge what concerns members the most.

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The Green Paper is presented in concise chapters that deal with various aspects of what the Government has predetermined that it wants you to comment upon – follow &/or ignore their recommendations according to your own instincts.

There are chapters on Stationery Energy, Energy Efficiency, Transport, etc. Pick a topic, make a general comment – just go for it in a manner that you deem to be responsible yet assertive.

What is disappointing, but far from unexpected, is the reliance on magic of Carbon Capture & Storage [CCS] of emissions from coal-fired power stations– too much Merlin? There is neither reference nor intimation that coal will be phased out – tacit acknowledgement that the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in Hazelwood was a folly that future generations will have to live [and die] with?

Continued urban expansion, both of Melbourne & regional cities, is an unquestioned and incontrovertible given. With continuous regularity both State & Federal Green Papers effuse to admit that unbridled population growth places unreasonable and untenable demands upon the earth’s ecosystems, thus exacerbating climate change.

The closing date is September 30th; hard copy submissions are to be sent to

The Premier, Climate Change Submission, GPO Box 4912, MELBOURNE 3001.

Follow the link to the BREAZE links pages for access to the Climate Change Green Paper and accompanying resources.

http://breaze.org.au/resources/links/190-climate-change-green-paper-victorian-government

See the vision and mission statements

Want to get involved?

Help put on Ballarat's contribution to the International Day of Climate Action on October 24.

There's also ongoing work liasing with Politicians - Federal, State and Local

• meet with them
  
• write letters
  
• plan and write submissions
  
• maintain media exposure with news releases, etc.

To show you what kind of things are possible when a bunch of concerned citizens put their mind to it, have a look at a video about the recent 5,000 person human sign on St. Kilda Beach

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Read on to see the Engaging and Partnering Government's achievements for 2007 - 2008