From the burnt forest, a young musician calls for action
Talented South Coast singer/songwriter Sam Fletcher has released a music video calling for Eden Monaro voters to reflect on the fires and the need for climate action.
The video was shot at Peak Alone, west of Cobargo. Sam is joined by a Covid choir of South Coast people, each singing individually in burnt forests near their homes.
Check the video above or on Sam’s U tube channel: https://youtu.be/7GjDgf4y4QY
Sam said, “I have grown up with an intrinsic love for two things in this world – nature and music. I have a passionate, and somewhat fearful, need to protect this planet against climate change the best I can.”
“The recent bushfires have highlighted what can happen in a world without balance. As we cross our climate’s tipping point we can only imagine what our future may look like.”
“I hope that those who hear Now Or Never 2 consider the impact of their vote on our wonderful Earth.”
Climate action group 350 Eurobodalla sponsored Now or Never Part 2.
Coordinator Allan Rees said, “we have been warning that climate change would bring worse bushfires, but we were shocked by the ferocity and scale of the summer fires. Climate chaos has hit much harder and sooner than we expected.”
“This has been a traumatic time. Some people lost their lives. Some of us lost homes, some fled for their lives from fire storms, some fought the fires here and in other parts of NSW and some of us choked on smoke and lived in fear for months.”
“350 Eurobodalla is proud to support Sam Fletcher who has made a song that reflects our hope that Eden Monaro will lead the way.”
Environmental groups outline their vision for a sustainable, prosperous Eden-Monaro
A coalition of environmental groups has identified forest conservation, bushfire recovery and action on climate change as three of the top issues that candidates in the Eden-Monaro by-election need to address.
In the final three weeks of the campaign, Eden-Monaro Environment Alliance has released plans for tackling the three issues in ways that will also boost the local economy and aid the post-fire, post-COVID recovery.
"These policies are good for nature and they are good for people - it is a win-win," Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
"We urge all candidates to support these policies because they will help get the region back on track after the fires and get us on the road to an ecologically sustainable recovery."
Action on climate change
1. Power Eden-Monaro with 100% clean energy by 2030
Make Eden-Monaro Develop an Energy Transition Plan to power Eden-Monaro using 100% clean energy by 2030.
2. Massively boost energy efficiency
Subsidies and programs to improve the energy efficiency of Eden-Monaro homes and workplaces, including free support for vulnerable and low-income households.
3. Electrify the government car fleet
Replace all government and council fleets in Eden-Monaro with electric vehicles by 2025.
4. Enact a federal Climate Act
The Act must set interim targets for emissions reduction and renewables uptake.
Bushfire recovery
1. Establish a community advisory group to guide the recovery
A community-based advisory group needs to drive priorities for local evidence-informed recovery and bushfire preparedness.
2. Prepare communities for the next major event
Provide grants to property owners to enhance bushfire preparedness and resilience.
3. Invest in ecological restoration and conservation
Invest in ecological restoration and conservation, including weed and feral pest control; infrastructure repairs; habitat restoration; Indigenous rangers training and employment; private-land conservation; coastal habitat restoration; plastics and marine debris clean-up.
Protecting our forests
1. End native forest logging
An immediate halt to native forest logging, suspension of the Eden and Southern Region Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) and a full environmental audit of the ecological impact of the 2019-20 fires.
2. Transition regional forestry to a 100% plantation-based industry
Develop a Plantation Forestry Industry Plan for 100% plantation-based forestry, and a government-supported transition for all workers, including trucking companies and mills.
3. Rule out burning forests for power
No forest harvesting for briquettes in the electorate and a prohibition on the extraction of forest biomass for energy production
Now Or Never - Part 2
Here’s a song about climate change,
Mother nature burnt, in a summer rage
That’s why we must change!
Towns reduced to dust,
A sign of things to come in climate chaos.
We need your voice today, lead the way!
We’re all in this together, the climate’s changing fast
We know it’s now or never make it last.
Think about your vote, it’s time to have your say
Eden-Monaro lead the way!
Koalas choke with nowhere to run
From the orange glow of fire, to the red eyed sun,
I’d say there’s work to be done, everyone!
We’re all in this together, the climate’s changing fast
We know it’s now or never make it last.
Think about your vote, it’s time to have your say
Eden-Monaro lead the way!
Our children’s futures hang on what we do today
The winds of change have blown our way
From Cobargo to the Snowys,
To the shores of Twofold Bay
Eden-Monaro have your say
Eden-Monaro lead the way!
Above: Cathy Griff talking to Matthew Nott, founder of Clean Energy for Eternity.
