One Thing Per Week

positive and negative day

So, I’m feeling really ashamed of myself. Today I yelled at someone. In public. well, I think I did. it was all very loud and confusing. I definitely had a very heated argument. With a climate change denier.

 

And it has thrown me off, after what was a very good day otherwise, with a fansastic turnout at the Brisbane Walk Against Warming.

 

There were a number of ways that the yelling could have been avoided. And it was a useless thing to do. And if I’d just stopped for a second and thought about it, I would have come to the conclusion that common sense and all my experience have told me- arguing with delusional people is useless and stupid.

 

oh, how embarrassing. and counter-productive! And it doesn’t matter how rude someone else is- that is no excuse for me being rude.

 

So, instead of being calm and a) walking away, or b) talking in a rational manner, I did c) get all riled up and just yell about reading the science – resulting in a ‘read the science’- ‘I have! you read the science’ ‘well, I don’t think you’ve read enough’ red faced yelling match with me shaking and not coming up with anything intelligent, even to complete clunkers of lies like ‘the sea level isn’t rising, the islands are sinking into the sea!’ (I didn’t even come up with ‘why?’ or ‘what, all at once?’)

 

I wish I’d been my normal self- I never (really really rarely) yell. I try to listen and respect everyone’s opinion! Though I do tend to avoid rather than confront difficult issues. Because usually I realise that it’s not worth it, and have better things to do with my  

 

So I wish I’d just asked sat the woman who was yelling at me to sit down and have a talk - and not reinforced her stereotype of ‘alarmist’ activists.  As I’m sure she is a reasonably sane person (which is a good description of me also) in normal life, and we could have agreed to disagree on some issues, and maybe found some other common ground. What does she think about renewable energy? Better public transport? Air pollution and health problems? What about overconsumption and the huge levels of personal and organisational debt we have? There are things to talk about still.  Yelling about the things we disagree on is worse than useless. 

 

I guess I’ll just have to learn my lesson, remember to breathe, and not do it again. And read some of those great articles about things you can say to those kinds of arguments.  

 

argh. 

Earth Hour! March 28! 8.30pm!

Hey, it's that time of year again, Earth Hour is coming up! I love EH, last year I had a lovely party by candlelight, and much cheese was eaten. This year I'm very sad, I'll actually be at an unrelated Art event (I'm writing haiku on demand, scarily!), but be sure I will have unplugged everything before I leave. Mum and I were talking about doing Earth Day, where we try not to use electronics for the whole day, which would be fun. 

 And maybe I'll write some earth hour/environment related Haiku.

 

Earth Hour is spectacularly massive this year too, so many cities participating! So many people! Yay!

 

Anyway, here is the email I'll be sending around our department at uni to promote and expand on Earth Hour.

 

Vote Earth this Earth Hour!

Vote Earth by turning off your lights on March 28 at 8:30 pm, and joining hundreds of millions* of people around the globe, sending a powerful message to leaders around the world that we, as communities and nations, are ready to fight climate change!

And if you want to Vote Earth every day, here are two other easy steps you can take.

1. Sign up for the Qld Government’s Climate Smart Home Service

 at  http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/or by calling 13 20 40

The ClimateSmart Home Service is specifically designed to help Queenslanders contribute to addressing climate change by reducing their carbon footprint.

During the ClimateSmart Home Service, a licensed electrician will visit your home, install a wireless energy monitor for you to keep, and conduct an energy audit of your home.

Where suitable, the electrician will supply and install a free water and energy efficient showerhead, and supply and install up to 15 free energy efficient light globes - all in less than an hour.

The service costs $50, but if you live in Brisbane there is a $50 rebate available from the Brisbane City Council.

2. Switch to GreenPower

Through your current energy provider you can switch to renewable energy, which is usually as easy as applying online, and costs as little as $4 dollars a month (for 25% GreenPower) up to about $22 a month extra (for 100% GreenPower).

GreenPower is electricity that comes from a new renewable energy generation source like solar or wind. Sources must have been built after 1997 to be accredited, encouraging continuing investment in Australias renewable energy.

Origin Energy -

http://www.originenergy.com.au/1544/Origin-GreenPower

Or call 13 GREEN

Thank you!

* Earth Hour organisers are hoping for 1 billion people in over 1500 cities to take part this year! http://www.earthhour.org/

Action #9- stay optimistic!

Hello all,

Action #9 is about the ways I use to keep happy when thinking about some big, sad stuff. I think I need to actively practice this a bit more. Studying climate change and behaviour change (a difficult part of psychology), I can feel that it's all too much sometimes. And I don't want to get burnt out yet (I mean, at all!), I'm only 4 months in to this degree! I think we all feel pretty overwhelmed when thinking about climate change, and this can cause numbing and apathy... not good. 

I have an fantastic friend (Hi Mel!), who I catch up with quite often, and we have very inspiring conversations, which sometimes drift back to talking about when some people's disinterest in the environment or other progressive issues gets us down. Our talks on this topic are usually about how to keep our energy up, how to keep motivated to try and make a difference.

And while I do sometimes get disheartened, I think I've cracked it, and worked out a way to stay positive most of the time. It has two parts.

Part 1. You have to attend to the world in a selective way. People do this all the time- often not by choice. We take in biased information ALL THE TIME, think about advertising! Think about glossy magazines! Lots of advertising is designed to make you feel bad- about yourself and your appearance, so you buy more makeup and clothes, or self help books, or food! Or they make you feel insecure about your social status so you buy more cars and more branded clothes... We are meant to compare ourselves to the unattainable images in pictures and on television, find ourselves coming up short, feel bad, and look to the props in the ad as a solution, and buy them. 

And think about commercial television- no storylines about credit card debt, (or environmentalism, for that matter), because maybe that would make people less likely to spend money on the items shown in the ad breaks!

So the key to staying positive- is to choose which information to attend to! And there is a lot of crap that can be avoided. If I watch commercial television I don't watch the ads, or end up yelling at the television (or billboards- Your stupid bag is not going to make me happy, Target!- sorry, that's a pretty specific rant) and I stick to ABC as much as possible (ooh, I'm missing Spicks and Specks!). Glossy magazines are depressing, literally, that is the aim of some of the marketing - in fact, I think the only magazines worth buying are Dumbo feather, pass it on, and The Big Issue. I read my favourite blogs and environmental news sites every day (treehugger!- and see that link for instructions on joining the twitter greenstream), which means I am interacting with people who are doing amazing and exciting things, and at least some of the time I live in a world where the environmental paradigm shift that is coming has already happened. 

It is important to still engage with the mainstream media, if only to be able to argue against things, but... it's good to balance this, and look after your own mental health first. 

And as well as getting a bias of environmental innovation news, it makes it possible to avoid the environmental doom and gloom a bit, which seems to be the angle played by most news outlets, especially commercial ones. Playing on fear to get ratings. Very unhelpful! I really do not like being manipulated like that (see above, re: angry at television).

Part 2. is seeking out and giving positive feedback. This is where my inspiring conversations come in. Talking about things to do, and why, and what differences we have already made, and how everything is going. Being part of groups of people who do this, as much as possible. This kind of mutual encouragement creates a social environment which is empowering and encouraging of change.

So this action is about seeking out interactions with other people who have an interest, and are doing interesting things in relation to the environment. Or just talking with people who make you feel good. My friend Josh has a Mutual Appreciation Society, which sounds awesome. He's one of the ones who leaves lovely comments for me too, which really help. 

So thanks Mel, and Josh, and Fiona, and Steph, and Mum, and everyone else who is happy to talk to me about this passion of mine, you are awesome. I hope to hang out with you all soon. 

Love Anna

Submit to Australias 2020 Summit and the future!

Ah! I only found out about this a couple of days ago*, but the Australia 2020 Summit is accepting submissions from the public of 500 words max, until Wednesday 9th April 5pm, on the following topics;

1. The productivity agenda – education, skills, training, science and innovation

2. The future of the Australian economy

3. Population, sustainability, climate change and water

4. Future directions for rural industries and rural communities

5. A long-term national health strategy – including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population

6. Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion

7. Options for the future of Indigenous Australia

8. Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design

9. The future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens

10.   Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world.

So if you have something to say, and a couple of hours free before Wednesday at 5pm (when submissions close), get cracking! I'll post mine here when I finish it. They can be submitted online, and once collated all submissions will be visible to the public at the summit site. 

In related news, I had a really weird experience reading the info at the Summit site (at the link above), because there is a photo of Kevin smiling (smugly, as usual, but I still love him) next to the text, I was 'hearing' it in Kev's voice as I read it. STRANGE and DISTURBING. Maybe I follow the news a bit too closely.

ok, I am off to write this thing (it is kinda related to my area of work, so I don't feel too guilty doing this instead).

*It would have been nice to know earlier, but who am I kidding, I would have left writing a submission until the last 2 days anyway.

Stop fueling climate change!

Hello again,

This is basically the same petition as yesterday's GetUp one (so see previous post for my rationale!) but it has really cool graphics on the site... I think more effective than the GetUp ones, much as I love them. And it explains the issue from a different perspective- which makes it even more clear how ridiculous the spending of taxpayers money on subsidising the fossil fuel industry really is.

http://www.stop-fueling-climate-change.org/

even if you don't want to sign, I recommend having a look at this site.

thanks!

Australian? Want to act for your climate? read here!

Hello everybody!

According to research done through the David Suzuki Foundation, there are 4 important areas you can act in to most effectively reduce your impact on climate change. These include the food you eat, the transport you use, the energy you consume, and your political actions! In Australia right now we have a great (and easy and quick!) opportunity to take political action- by sending a message to the Treasurer, Mr Wayne Swan, who is drafting the first budget for the new government. Petition link below!

From GetUp-

'Ever reflected how you'd do things differently if you were in charge? How you'd put your money where your mouth is on things like climate change if you were the one dishing out the taxpayer's dollars? Would you, like the previous Government did, subsidise the polluting fossil fuel industries at 28 times the amount of renewable energies?

Now you have a chance to tell the Treasurer just how you'd like to even the ledger - using our exciting new 'Australia's Biscuit Budget' tool, before he sits down to review the $9 billion of fossil fuel subsidies he's inherited:

www.getup.org.au/campaign/AustraliasBiscuitBudget

Right now, Wayne Swan and his staff are poring over numbers and graphs, deciding Australia’s budget for the next year. They have a chance to end the insane billions of dollars worth of subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, and instead fund climate solutions - if we send them a clear message that that's what we want them to do.

Budgets are a clear indication of where a government’s priorities lie. Budgets are where promises become concrete, or fade away. Using our new 'Biscuit Budget' tool, you can show just how you'd prioritise your taxes - fossil fuels or climate solutions.

www.getup.org.au/campaign/AustraliasBiscuitBudget

Averting dangerous climate change will need a real rethink of the way we do things, and the way we organise our spending priorities. Our foot's already in the door, and we've identified savings in this budget that means these solutions won't cost a cent, but we need your help - the Treasurer is under immense pressure from the fossil fuel polluters who want to keep their $9 billion of free subsidies. Only a strong message from the community can counteract those vested interests with their hands in our cookie jar.

Click here to show the Treasurer just how you'd apportion those cookies this budget:

www.getup.org.au/campaign/AustraliasBiscuitBudget

The good news is that the Government is listening. Last week, we took your People’s Agenda budget to Wayne Swan. He listened as we showed him hidden fossil fuel subsidies we uncovered that could be moved to fund climate solutions. Re-investing this money in climate solutions will stimulate thousands of new, green-collar jobs and strengthen growing Australian industries.

Thanks for being a part of the solution,
The GetUp team'

So, getting off that main topic a little and moving back to collective action in general, I think taking these kinds of online actions are really worthwhile, but I have no idea if the people I forward these emails to, or who might read this post, agree with me. What do you think? (email me or leave a comment!)

When I read things like the fact that 'In less than a year, Avaaz has grown to 1.26 million subscribers from every country on earth. Avaaz continues to steadily grow at an unprecedented rate of an average of 20,000 new members per week.' it gives me a lot of hope to think that there are so many people out there who care enough to read and take action. Their petition to encourage China to engage in meaningful diplomacy with Tibet instead of military action has become the largest ever online petition, easily surpassing one million signatures.

I feel so much more empowered and active since I became a member of GetUp and started interacting with more people who are active in so-called progressive issues areas like social justice, workers rights, sustainability, gay rights, womens rights.

I'd love to discuss this with you all... talk to you soon, hopefully!

Avaaz has a video which has been nominated for a Youtube award, and which is very cool. I'm a little tired after a long day so cannot really elaborate eloquently, but check it out.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_clash_award/5.php?cl=64047229

Voting is on for the next day or so!

Let the new Government know what's what!

From GetUp-

be part of a huge survey covering opinions and issues that GetUp has identified as important to Australians throughout their network, the results of which will be handed to the new government to highlight the priorities of the people they have been elected to represent. Have your say!

Dear friends,
Amazing! Over 15,000 of you have already voted on your priorities for the new Parliament. Thanks to the overwhelming response we've extended the deadline for your vote until midnight Monday. So if you haven't already, have your say now before it's too late!
We'll announce the final results and then GetUp members across the nation will hand the compiled 'People's Agenda' directly to our newly elected MPs. Click here now to add your vote:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/PeoplesAgenda
This is a chance we won't get again: the new Government is currently sitting down to decide their own priorities and programs for this new political era. Do you want your views to help influence their decisions?
Every Member of Parliament's office has been contacted to tee up a meeting with GetUp members to receive the Agenda; click here to make sure your views get through the door we've already got our foot in:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/PeoplesAgenda
Thanks,
The GetUp team

Do you bank with ANZ?

And do you oppose the Tamar Valley Pulp Mill?

From GetUp's Latest campaign...

Right now ANZ bank is considering whether to finance the Gunns pulp mill in Tasmania.

The Government has failed us by granting the controversial mill approval but without a financial backer the project cannot go ahead!

Tell Mr Smith, the new head of ANZ, your concerns about the mill so he can make the right decision before next Tuesday's AGM!

If you are an ANZ customer, shareholder or staff member, please let ANZ know in your message.

Go here to let them know, by sending your own personal message, or this standard one prepared by GetUp.

Dear Mr Smith,

Thank you for the opportunity for commenting on the potential financing of the Gunns Ltd Pulp Mill in the Tamar Valley.
I am surprised that the ANZ would consider financing such a project considering it is a signatory to the Equator Principles and has a good reputation regarding its commitment to socially responsible investment.
The proposed pulp mill is a major threat to Tasmania's pristine environment and economy. It will wreak havoc on the tourism, fishing, agriculture and wine industries in the area, and do untold environmental damage. Independent economic analysis even shows, contrary to Gunns' claims, that the mill will destroy more jobs and wealth than it creates. It will substantially increase greenhouse gas emissions and mean more clear-felling of Tassie forests.

In this context, the ANZ has a clear choice either to urge Gunns Ltd to build an environmentally friendly chlorine free mill that is based on 100% plantation timber in a location that is supported by the local community, or to not agree to finance this mill at all - in accordance with your commitment to environmentally and socially responsible investment.
I look forward to your reply.
Regards,
Concerned ANZ member/investor.