Where: Styx Valley When: Saturday 12th February

In addition to providing us with clean air and clean water, our forests also play an important role in managing the Earth's climate, by regulating the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Every day Tasmania's forests breathe in carbon dioxide, store it as carbon in their trunks, branches, woody debris and soil and breathe out oxygen. This process, called photosynthesis, means that forests all over the world, including Tasmania, have played a crucial role in providing this planet with a safe climate. Unfortunately, forests all over the world are being logged and cleared, releasing stored carbon as greenhouse pollution and contributing to the climate change problem.

Forestry Tasmania has publicly refused to measure the carbon lost through logging and under current Government policies, the full emissions from logging and landclearing are not being measured as part of Tasmania's overall greenhouse gas emissions. This approach is akin to Tasmania burying its head in the sand and is unacceptable - so we have decided to do something about it.

With the help of a team of volunteers, we have been measuring the amount of carbon stored in forests around Tasmania which are scheduled for logging. Measurements have taken place in the Upper Florentine, the Styx Valley, the Blue Tier and the Tarkine.

You can join us, and find out how much we have to lose if these special places are destroyed by logging for woodchips. This is your opportunity to discover (or rediscover) Tasmania's beautiful forests, and contribute to the climate change solution at the same time.

The next Community Carbon Accounting Days will be in the Styx Valley on Saturday 12th February.To find out more or to register, use the contact information below.

The 3rd Australian Camp for Climate Action is happening from the 1st - 5th of December 2010.

We will be joining 19 other camps across the globe for five days of workshops to educate and empower people about climate change action.

Our focus this year is the Bayswater power station – Australia’s single largest contributor to climate change - which is also the site of one of twelve new coal power stations planned around Australia. On the last day of camp will be a peaceful and creative mass action to send a clear message demanding climate action.

Come camp with us, meet like-minded people from all walks of life. The camp attracts people from all over Australia, from families and professionals, grandparents and toddlers, teachers and lawyers, and environmentalists. There will be music, a chai tent, children's activities and plenty of opportunities to get skilled up.

Join us for a workshop, the peaceful mass action or the whole 5 days!

For more information and to register, visit the Climate Camp website. 

Where do our State election candidates stand on this critical issue?  Come along to hear their proposals for action, then join in a panel discussion.  This is your chance to ask them questions and ensure that they understand your views and concerns.  Help make real action on climate change a hot topic this election.

What: Candidate's forum on climate change
When: Thursday 28 October 6.30 - 8.30pm
Where: CERES Van Raay community centre (enter from Stewart St, East Brunswick)
RSVP: info@mefl.com.au or 9385 8585

Refreshments and light snacks provided.
Hosted by CERES, Climate Action Moreland and Moreland Energy Foundation

Your vote counts.  Your voice matters. 

Where: Styx Valley When: Saturday 6th november

In addition to providing us with clean air and clean water, our forests also play an important role in managing the Earth's climate, by regulating the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Every day Tasmania's forests breathe in carbon dioxide, store it as carbon in their trunks, branches, woody debris and soil and breathe out oxygen. This process, called photosynthesis, means that forests all over the world, including Tasmania, have played a crucial role in providing this planet with a safe climate. Unfortunately, forests all over the world are being logged and cleared, releasing stored carbon as greenhouse pollution and contributing to the climate change problem.

Forestry Tasmania has publicly refused to measure the carbon lost through logging and under current Government policies, the full emissions from logging and landclearing are not being measured as part of Tasmania's overall greenhouse gas emissions. This approach is akin to Tasmania burying its head in the sand and is unacceptable - so we have decided to do something about it.

With the help of a team of volunteers, we have been measuring the amount of carbon stored in forests around Tasmania which are scheduled for logging. Measurements have taken place in the Upper Florentine, the Styx Valley, the Blue Tier and the Tarkine.

You can join us, and find out how much we have to lose if these special places are destroyed by logging for woodchips. This is your opportunity to discover (or rediscover) Tasmania's beautiful forests, and contribute to the climate change solution at the same time.

The next Community Carbon Accounting Days will be in the Styx Valley on the first weekends of November and December.To find out more or to register, please call Liz on (03) 6281 9130 or email: liz.johnstone@wilderness.org.au

Community Carbon Accounting Weekend
When: Weekend of October 2nd -3rd
Where: The Blue Tier

With the help of a team of volunteers, we have been measuring the amount of carbon stored in forests around Tasmania which are scheduled for logging. Measurements have taken place in the Upper Florentine, the Styx Valley, the Blue Tier and the Tarkine.

You can join us, and find out how much we have to lose if these special places are destroyed by logging for woodchips. This is your opportunity to discover (or rediscover) Tasmania's beautiful forests, and contribute to the climate change solution at the same time.

To find out more or to register, please call Liz on (03) 6281 9130  or Ruth on (03) 6331 7488 or email liz.johnstone@wilderness.org.au and ruth.groom@wilderness.org.au

Where: Esplanade, Cairns
When: 8:30am, Saturday 12 December.

Meet at 8.30am opposite the hospital on the Cairns Esplanade for a 9am walk to the Lagoon.
- Wear blue for a safe climate.

Protect our coastal communities!

The more people walking, the stronger the message - so come and join thousands of people across Australia and send the message to our leaders that we want action on climate change.

Speakers and stalls will be held on the Esplanade near the Lagoon from 9.30am onwards.

For information
Contact: events@cafnec.org.au or 0434 955 424

Or visit: www.cafnec.org.au or www.walkagainstwarming.org

The Age of Stupid is the new movie from Director Franny Armstrong (McLibel) and producer John Battsek (One Day In September).

This enormously ambitious drama-documentary-animation hybrid stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching "archive" footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change while we had the chance? The take home message is, of course, that this is 2009, and we can stop climate change if we just stop being stupid. View trailer >>

The Grierson Awards Jury: "The out and out winner this year was chosen for the sheer scale of its ambition and the verve of its realization. On every level, The Age of Stupid is a powerful and unforgettable film that leaves you honour bound to force governments to take action and that the judges recommend everybody must see."

Where: Cairns Civic Theatre
When: Sunday 29 November @5.00 pm
Prices: $15 or $12 concession
Tickets available at TicketLink

More information: email: di.horsburgh@wilderness.org.au

Join in with the action in Newcastle at the Foreshore Park Playground to have a Play Date for the Planet. Saturday 24 October, 11-12am

When: Saturday 24 October, 11am-Midday
Where: Newcastle - Foreshore Park Playground

Everyone is welcome. Bring your kids, bring the grandparents and come along to a giant play date in the park by the harbour!

Together we'll form a portrait of people - especially parents who want a bright future for their children - who care about the environment.

Let's have some fun with our little ones and use our numbers to show that there is strong public demand for governments to take climate change seriously.

For further information please contact: katelijn.hullegie@wilderness.org.au or call 02 4929 4395
For more information on this event visit: www.350.org/node/7107

To learn more about 350.org click here >>

Take part in our 350.org Forest and Climate action!

 The number 350 is important as it represents the maximum parts per million level of carbon we can safely have in the atmosphere.  We need to drastically reduce our use of fossil fuels, and we need to protect the world's forests.

We will be bringing the community together to reveal the extent of local logging practices and to provide an excellent aerial photo opportunity demonstrating the need to protect out forests.  Please join us...

Download our flyer here.

When:  Sunday Oct 18, 10am
Where: Meet @ Wild Thyme Cafe, Warburton, then drive to local logging coupe
Wear: Red
Bring: Lunch, sunshine

The Wilderness Society will be arranging car pooling from Melbourne, leaving from 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy at 8.15 am sharp.  Please contact us if you would like to travel together.

350.org is an international campaign that's building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis—the solutions that science and justice demand.

350.org are calling on people around the world to organise an action on October 10 incorporating the number 350 at an iconic place in their community, and then upload a photo of their event to 350.org website.

These images will be collected from around the world and, with your help, delivered to the media and world leaders. Together, we can show our world and its decision-makers just how big, beautiful, and unified the climate movement really is. Visit the 350.org website here >>

To meet the 350 target we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources. Reducing emissions from burning fossil fuels and from logging and land clearing is essential for solving the climate challenge.

The Wilderness Society is holding actions in some of these carbon-rich forests, to draw attention to the plight of these ecosystems which if left intact, have a major role to play in securing a safe climate future.
 
Join us in New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria in calling on Prime Minister Gillard to place forest protection at the centre of national and international climate change policies to take our planet to below 350ppm.

New South Wales:

Sydney
We will 'Samba through Sydney for 350 'with the important message that fighting global warming begins with saving Australia's unique forests - our vital carbon banks.

Meet outside the Wilderness Society office at 8:00am and prepare to Samba. Instruments and tuition provided by our friends at Samba Ninja Samba Training will take place on Tuesday 20 October at 6pm (at TWS Office).

To join in please RSVP to me 02 9282 9553 or email malcolm.fisher@wilderness.org.au

Newcastle
Join in with the action in Newcastle at the Foreshore Park Playground to have a Play Date for the Planet. Saturday 10 October, 11-12am
Everyone is welcome - and there will be special activities for kids. Learn more >>
To join or for further information please contact:  katelijn.hullegie@wilderness.org.au ph. 02 4929 4395 or visit www.350.org/node/7107

Together we really do make a difference!

To find out more information about 350.org or other events planned for your state, click on the links below - or contact the Community Campaigner in your state or region.

NSW   |   QLD   |   SA   |   TAS   |    VIC   |   WA

Read More

29 Organisations across Australia call on the Government to take 350 stance to Copenhagen
Media Release - 16 October 2009
Twenty nine of the leading Australian environmental, research and union organisations joined together today in calling on the Australian Government to commit to supporting the stabilisation of 350 parts per million (ppm) greenhouse gas concentrations or lower at the United Nations climate change meeting in Copenhagen in December. Read more >>

Conservation groups and concerned citizens from across the State will be gathering on the steps of Parliament House to demand that their concerns about the many flaws in BHP's plans be listened to and acted upon.

The Wilderness Society will be there with a banner decrying BHP's proposed desalination plant at Point Lowly, designed to feed the massive water requirements of their expanded operations.  This poorly considered proposal has the potential to irreparably damage this unique marine ecosystem.

Point Lowly itself is home to the only known breeding aggregation of giant cuttlefish in the world. These amazing creatures only live for 1-2 years, mating once and then dying soon after. Independent research has shown that cuttlefish eggs are extremely sensitive to changes in salinity. A single bad reproductive year could devastate the population, putting the species at risk of extinction.

There is deep concern the brine solution discharged by the desalination plant will not properly disperse, causing mass mortalities of cuttlefish eggs as well as having negative impacts upon the lifecycles of other important species, many of them unique to the region. Read more >>

Join with us to demand a better future from our Government!

When: Friday 7th August @ 12:30pm

Where: Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide

What: Large gathering of protesters. Please bring a placard, a banner or something visual

The Age of Stupid is the new movie from Director Franny Armstrong (McLibel) and producer John Battsek (One Day In September).

The makers of McLibel and the oscar-winning "One day in September" bring you this climate blockbuster.

The Age of Stupid is the new movie from Director Franny Armstrong (McLibel) and producer John Battsek (One Day In September). Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated future world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? It was released in UK cinemas on 20 March 2009, and will be followed by other countries.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE

Date: Wednesday, 19 August, 2009
Time: 7.30 PM
Location: The Royal Exchange, 32-34 Bolton Street, Newcastle
Price:$10.00 all proceeds go to the Wilderness Society

For ticket information and enquiries please call us on 02 4929 4395 or email newcastle.web@wilderness.org.au

Further Details and Film reviews can be found at the following link:
http://www.ageofstupid.net/

"The climate science in The Age Of Stupid is based on that of the international climate research community including the Met Office Hadley Centre, as assessed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and accepted by the world's governments" Dr Richard Betts.

Aiming to better understand the connections between biodiversity and climate, and why protecting natural ecosystems is essential to tackle the climate crisis.

Biodiversity Summit 2009, with keynote speaker Dr Rachel Warren - Aiming to better understand the connections between biodiversity and climate, and why protecting natural ecosystems is essential to tackle the climate crisis.

The climate crisis is transforming biodiversity policy, demanding rapid fundamental change to protect and restore the natural environment.

The Biodiversity Summit 2009 will review how natural ecosystems contribute to mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis, including the role of terrestrial ecosystems in the global carbon cycle and carbon storage and the contribution of biodiversity to the resilience of natural ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change.  The Summit will also analyse the policy implications flowing from the need to protect and restore natural ecosystems for climate change mitigation and adaptation and discuss implementation strategies and tools.

The program for the day will include presentations, workshops and discussion. Participants will have an opportunity to offer workshops; and round table sessions will cover issues like how to ‘frame’ the policy debate, identifying key issues that need to be addressed, and how the policy agenda is to be taken forward. 

Speakers: Dr Rachel Warren from the world renowned Tyndall Centre UK; ecologist and IUCN Councillor Prof Brendan Mackey; ecologist Dr Heather Keith; solicitor Vanessa Bleyer; barrister Andrew Walker; Wilderness Society international climate team member Peg Putt; environmental policy analyst, Andrew MacIntosh; environmentalist Margaret Blakers.

Designed for everyone interested in biodiversity and the climate challenge – researchers, lawyers, land managers, activists, students, policy-makers, and interested individuals.

When:    Saturday, 8 August 2009, 9am to 5pm
Venue:   Canberra Institute of Technology, K Block, Constitution Ave, Canberra
Registration fees:    Standard $95, low income $55 (includes lunch and morning and afternoon tea)
Registration and information:  http://www.biodiversitysummit.org.au/
Deadline for registration:  Tuesday 4 August

This second Biodiversity Summit is organised by the Green Institute www.greeninstitute.com.au & Lawyers for Forests  www.lawyersforforests.asn.au

The Wilderness Society proudly presents a screening of The Burning Season.

The Burning Season presents potential solutions to the problems of habitat loss, pollution and climate change in the forests of Indonesia through the innovative work of a young Australian entrepeneur. 

Come along and see this inspiring and award-winning film.

When: 6.15pm Thursday 2 July

Where: State Cinema, North Hobart

Cost: $15

To book call 03 6234 6318

Proceeds go to The Wilderness Society Tasmania.

The evening will include guest speakers from the Bookend Trust and the Wilderness Society.

The Bookend Trust hosted the National premiere of the Burning Season in Hobart in early June with special guests including the film's star Dorjee Sun, director Cathy Henkel and wildlife advocate Terri Irwin.

The Wilderness Society will give an update on the progress of the UN Climate Change talks and the current discussions about the role of forests in reducing the impacts of climate change.

Please note: the contents of this film do not necessarily reflect the policy positions of the Wilderness Society.

Visit The Burning Season website.