It’s the zombie coal project you’ve never heard of. A group of Japanese companies (J-POWER and Sumitomo corporation) want to build a ‘gasification plant’ to extract hydrogen from BROWN COAL and then ship it to Japan through the Port of Hastings. Share Tweet Share Email If it proceeds, it could create more than 3 million tonnes of carbon pollution every year, equivalent to adding over 550,000 petrol cars to the road! [1] Using brown coal is the most polluting possible way to make hydrogen. In fact, it’s even more polluting than burning brown coal in a power station because 35% of the energy i ..read more

After years of denial and delay under the Coalition, Australia is playing catch-up in the transition to clean energy. The task is gargantuan, and we need to make up time, but the politics, the economics and the technology are finally aligning behind clean energy. As a recent Climate Council report shows, Australia can reach 94 percent clean energy by 2030 with the right policy settings. Here are some the steps we’ll need to take if we are to achieve a fast and fair transition to clean energy by 2030: The post The opportunity to break free from fossil fuels is here, but can we seize it? first a ..read more

Each year, First Nations across Australia take to the streets to recognise the resilience of their communities and demand justice – and ask allies to stand in solidarity. On this day, like every day, we have a responsibility to show up, listen, learn and support these voices. Here’s a list of events in Victoria that you can join on January 26: Share Tweet Share Email Invasion Day rally WHEN: 10 AM WHERE: Starting at Parliament House and finishing at Flinders St Station. Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country HOSTED BY: Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) Survival Day Da ..read more

The gas that gets pumped into homes across Victoria is mostly made up of methane — it’s expensive, it’s a powerful greenhouse gas that has over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide, and it’s harmful to our health when burnt indoors. In Victoria it’s an especially large problem. Because we burn far more methane gas than any other state it is responsible for 17% of our climate pollution, and it’s only getting more expensive as supplies in the Bass Strait run out. As awareness of these issues grows, households and small business (which represent a whopping 50% of our gas consumption) are ..read more

The Victorian Government just updated their Gas Substitution Roadmap, outlining Victoria’s new suite of policies to transition away from gas. It’s the first time the Roadmap has been updated since it was first released in 2022. Below we explain what the Roadmap is, what it contains and what’s missing. Share Tweet Share Email On this page… What is the problem with gas? Why do we need a Gas Substitution Roadmap? The beginning of the end for gas in homes and small businesses The government is closing loopholes for new homes Improving minimum standards for rentals New incentives to electrify Th ..read more

The federal government has just passed new legislation to finally get more water for the rivers, wetlands, fish and water birds of the Murray-Darling! The ‘Restoring Our Rivers’ Bill delivers a vital lifeline for the river ahead of looming drought – and it’s thanks to thousands of Australians across the Basin speaking up and demanding action. Here’s what the legislation means and why it’s such a big deal. Get the details Why is this important? We know the rivers of the Murray-Darling are in trouble. In the last decade, we’ve seen mass fish kills, toxic algal blooms and whole towns run dry. It ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email Environment Victoria volunteers have been on the streets talking to their communities about methane gas. From Bairnsdale to Ballarat, Clunes to Creswick, Moe to Mornington. We talked with Victorians at shopping strips, libraries and sporting clubs, via doorknocking homes, including social housing, and at train stations, markets and local events across the state. We had well over 500 conversations. The responses were decisive. 83% of people we spoke to supported Victoria switching away from gas by 2035. We then gathered these stories in a short report that we sent to V ..read more

Ten years ago I travelled from our home in Clayton Bay, South Australia to Canberra with my late husband Henry Jones, where we cooked Coorong Mullet for MPs to drive home the importance of reducing the amount of water being taken from the Murray. Today, me and my daughter have come back to Canberra to replicate the action because the Murray-Darling is now in critical danger, and with new legislation before the Senate the next few weeks are crucial. Gloria and her daughter Julia cooking fish at the Parliament House community BBQ this year We know what my late husband Henry would say if he was ..read more

Last night, Environment Victoria recognised the achievements of six incredible community groups and individuals for their outstanding environmental contribution as part of our 2023 Community Environment Awards. Share Tweet Share Email Over the past 12 months, the award recipients have led ground-breaking, impactful campaigns in their communities – from stopping native forest logging and seismic blasting in Victoria, to diversifying the climate movement, and protecting our rivers, oceans and wildlife. It was a privilege to recognise each of these outstanding contributions and the people behin ..read more

Saturday’s referendum result was devastating, no matter how prepared you were for a loss. This moment is hard for all of us, most of all for First Nations communities and campaigners. Many have asked for space and time to grieve. Others have called on allies to stand up and speak out. We may be angry and disappointed, but we cannot give up. Share Tweet Share Email The referendum result shows us we need to stand up against the hate and fear that was perpetuated by the NO campaign. Together, we need to double down on our commitments to First Nations justice, Treaty and truth-telling. For gener ..read more