Climate Tasmania

2010

2 March: What’s in your water and why? 7pm at the Tram Shed Function Centre, Inveresk, Launceston. Water issues currently facing the whole Tasmanian community — not just the East Coast. Speakers include Dr Frank Nicklason, Peter Cundall and Kim Booth MHA.

27 February: Human Windmill at Salamanca. 12-2pm on Salamanca lawns, market-goers will see this eye-catching action to promote and educate the public about the Climate Action Hobart initiative, 10 Steps for a Safe Climate - Tasmania’s Contribution to Preventing Dangerous Climate Change, with a focus on Step 4: Tasmania to become a Renewable Energy Island with 100% Renewable Electricity by 2020, emphasising Tasmania’s world-class renewable energy resources. Get involved: we need 20+ people to create the windmill and more to hold a long banner. Please click here if you can help create the human windmill.

26 February: Dancing with the Climate Stars: Lunchtime (12-1pm). At Salamanca Place busking stage, three pairs of dancers will compete against each other, representing the three main parties in the state election. A Climate Action Hobart panel will assess each couple, based on the merit of their party’s climate policy (as well as their dance step!).

24 February: Jan Gehl on Hobart’s inner city. 6.30pm at University Centre, Churchill Road, Sandy Bay. Gehl Architects have transformed public spaces throughout the world to be people-friendly, and Jan Gehl was hosted by the University of Tasmania last year to meet with government and community people and discuss how Tasmania might benefit by a fresh approach to key urban spaces. Introduced by Lord Mayor Rob Valentine, Prof Gehl will present the inaugural Hobart City Council “Hobart Talks” series. Click here for more information.

20 February: Rally—Solutions For a Better Tasmania, Hobart. On Parliament House lawns, Hobart, starting at 11.00 am, this rally promotes positive local initiatives to deal with the climate challenge, in the run-up to the Tasmanian election. Click here for more information.

Early 2010: Earn Your Stars Community Grants Program. Does your community group have a project to give people the tools, skills or knowledge to reduce their carbon emissions and conserve energy? The Tasmanian Government is offering $50,000 in small grants (up to $3000 per community group) to help communities implement local responses to the climate challenge. Applications will be accepted by the Tasmanian Climate Change Office until allocated funds have been expended. Click here for more information. Larger grants of up to $30,000 can be sought through the ClimateConnect program.

4 February: A socialist perspective on climate (public forum, Hobart). 6.30 pm at Hobart Activist Centre, 225 Murray Street: Dr Hans Baer University of Melbourne social philosopher and author, discusses the need for an eco-socialist perspective in the Australian climate movement. Cheap meal available at 6pm. Phone 62346397 or email this address for more information.

1-7 February: Bus It Challenge. Politicians, candidates and prominent Tasmanians will be reminded what it’s like when your livelihood depends on the reliability of public transport – and also a chance to listen to everyday conversations – by committing to use nothing but public transport in a 48 hour period. Click here for more information.

27 January: Oxfam picnic/meeting Launceston. 6pm at City Park Band Rotunda (LEC if wet), planning for climate campaign and other action. Contact Ros 0437 741 677

11-24 January: Permaculture Design. 12-day residential course at Lorinna, north-western Tasmania, led by Rick Coleman. For further information email Hannah Moloney or tel. 0418307294.

17 January: South Hobart Growers Gathering. At 6pm on Sunday 17 January, monthy gathering of South Hobart food gardeners, visiting Andrew and Lissa’s garden at 2a Smithurst Avenue. A great place to swap seedlings and produce. All welcome with or without things to trade; bring something to share for dinner, your questions and knowledge, and your joy in growing stuff.

12 January: Launch–“Ten Steps to a Safer Climate”. 12 noon at the Waterside Pavilion, Mawson Place, Hobart: all invited to this important public event. With the State election happening in March 2010, the launch of “Ten Steps” offers guidance to Tasmania’s political leaders by listing the 10 most important strategic actions Tasmania can take to reduce our carbon pollution. The strategies being released on Tuesday are the result of intensive public discussion in 2009.

January: A Way Forward. Next Launceston meeting of “A way forward - Sustainable Tamar Region” (date to be notified).

2009

13 December: Source Community Celebration. At Source Community Wholefoods Cooperative, French Street (just above the UTas Students Union), 4-8 pm. Celebrate the culmination of four years of effort with wood-oven pizzas, drinks, treats, while discovering more about this ground-breaking (pun intended) project. The season’s first garlic harvest will be on offer.

12 December: Walk Against Warming. This year, Australia’s largest day of community action on climate change is planned to coincide with the midpoint of the Copenhagen Climate Summit and the International Day of Action on Climate Change. There are two events in Tasmania: in the Florentine Valley and in Launceston.Click here for more information on Tasmania’s Walk Against Warming.

8 December: Our Earth–Who is responsible?. 2-4pm, Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart. Taking care of the natural world is a central teaching of Buddhism. Hear about this sacred duty from one of the great moral thinkers and teachers of our time, the Dalai Lama. More information from The Dalai Lama in Australia.

7 December: Walk Against Warming Quiz Night. At The Republic Bar function room, starting at 7 p.m. Cost: $10 or concession $7. Great prizes are up to be won for the biggest climate smarties! Get your tickets at the Green Shop, Sustainable Living Tasmania, or The Wilderness Society shop.

1 December: Fresh from the Arctic - an evening with Eric Phillips. 6.30–8.30pm at the Dechaineux Theatre, Arts School on Hunter Street, Hobart. Eric is a winner of the Order of Australia Medal for his effort in exploring the world’s polar regions for over twenty year. He is the only person to have crossed the world’s four largest ice caps and has spent many years leading major scientific and commercial expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Eric joined a team of scientists for a three-month Greenpeace Arctic  expedition to investigate climate change impacts.

25 November: “In Transition” film screening, Launceston. 7.45pm for 8pm, at Royal Oak Hotel, 14 Brisbane Street. Stories of communities creating their own currencies, setting up their own pubs, planting trees, growing food in their local Transition initiatives, offering practical solutions to this big issue.

10 November: Wasting Away—public lecture by Chris Jordan. Artist and cultural activist Chris Jordan explores the mountain of waste generated by our modern lives, and ideas for dealing with it. 5.45-7pm, Stanley Burbury Theatre, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay.

7 November: Climate Connect community grants program. Round 2 of this Tasmanian government grants program is open from 7 November to 29 January. The program provides grants of up to $30,000 to eligible organisations for projects which help communities identify and implement local solutions to the challenges of climate change. For more information go to the Tasmanian government’s climate change website.

7-8 November: Sustainable Living Expo 2009. Free event, Princes Wharf, Hobart, 10am-5pm. Features displays, talks, and interactive workshops on •sustainable building and renovating, •renewable energy and solar hot water, •energy efficient heating and cooling, •saving water, •gardens and food, •smart transport, •sustainable waste management and •community solutions.Prospective exhibitors and other participants should email Sustainable Living Tasmania or call 62345566.

6 November: Creating the new economy—Paul Gilding and Ted Trainer. Paul Gilding is a world-leading business adviser on sustainability strategy who will present his thesis, the Great Disruption. Ted Trainer is a Sydney-based social scientist who is interested in sustainability issues and the global economy. At Hands-On Energy Discovery Centre, Hydro Tasmania, 4 Elizabeth Street, Hobart: 9.30-11.30am (Paul Gilding) and 1.3pm (Ted Trainer). Booking essential—visit the website or tel. 62345566.

5 November: Future public transport, Kingston forum. 6.30-8pm The Centre, St Clements Anglican Church. Imagining a 21st century public transport system for Greater Hobart. More information from Our Island Our Voices.

4 November: The Burning Season Free film screening, 7.45 for 8 pm, 14 Brisbane Street, Launceston. Information: Sandy 0419578119.

3 November: Future public transport, Glenorchy forum. 6.30-8pm Civic Centre, Eady Street. Imagining a 21st century public transport system for Greater Hobart. More information from Our Island Our Voices.

25 October: Vegetarian cooking class. 11am-2pm Join Vegetarian Tasmania for a life-enriching session of food and learning. Suitable for anyone who wants to learn new cooking skills. For more information email Vegetarian Tasmania.

25 October: Kingston Bypass Community Walk. Climate is an issue in connection with the proposed Kingston road bypass. What else could we do with $42 million? Join the walk and call for a sustainable future. Starting at 3 pm where Spring Farm Road joins Channel Highway. Click here for more information.

24 October: “350” events on International Day of Climate Change Action (24 October). Tasmanian events to create “350” images to be posted as a global visual petition on the 350 global website.

(350-1) Hobart: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens: From 17 October, RTBG visitors are invited to add supplied plant material to help to create a “350” collage on the lawn near the Floral Clock, to emphasise that time is running out for effective action on climate change. Email Lorraine Perrins for further information.

(350-2) Devonport: Tasmanian Arboretum: Plants affect all life, and climate affects all plants. Visit the Arboretum (46 Old Tramway Road, Eugenana) any day before 24 October and help make a 350 collage from waste plant materials collected nearby. More information: tel. 64272690.

(350-3) Hobart: “Losing Tasmania — A procession of precious things”. From 7.30-8.00pm on the International Day of Climate Action, 350 people needed for a short procession around the Hobart waterfront, in which each participant carries a symbol of what is precious to them in their lives. Register by emailing Hobart-350 Project. More information from Neil Cameron.

(350-4) Launceston: “Windmill” picnic 1-4pm, Royal Park. The aim of this family event is to make paper windmills and plant them in the ground to form a massive “350”. More information from 350.org.

(350-5) Launceston: 350 Day Picnic at The Gorge. Contact Amy 0424626427 or email.

(350-6) Styx Valley: Human 350 sign. 12 noon, Styx Valley (2 hours from Hobart). A visual reminder of the role of our forests in stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations in our atmosphere.Click here for more information.

(350-7) St Helens: Get on your Bike. A bike ride ending at St Helens Wharf at 2pm for a 350 photo. Click here for more information.

(350-8) Ulverstone: Family “Green-Blue” Barbecue. 12 noon at Otto’s Grotto picnic area, Shropshire Park, Dial Street, Ulverstone (just past the Ulverstone Yacht Club, near the playground), for a family-friendly community picnic lunch, games, guest speakers and music. Wear an item of blue or green clothing.

15 October 2009: Winds of Change community forum. 6.45pm at Hobart Town Hall (50 Macquarie Street). Organised by Alderman Bill Harvey, this meeting will look at Hobart’s renewable energy options, including views from wind-energy exponents Rob Nichols (Nichols Poultry), Bruce Lipscombe (engineering consultant), David Shapero (Future Energy), Dr Cindy Hull (Roaring 40s, Paul Fulton (Joule Logic).

13 October: The cost of climate change. At the Baha’i Centre, 1 Tasman Highway, Hobart, 9am-12.30pm. Public forum on the cost of living implications of climate change organised by TasCOSS, Anglicare, Unions Tasmania, Environment Tasmania and Sustainable Living Tasmania as part of Anti-Poverty Week. Guest speakers include Tony Westmore (ACOSS), Michelle Bissett (ACTU), Jess Wright (Environment Tasmania) Paul Mallett (Anglicare Tasmania) and a representative of the Tasmanian Climate Change Office. RSVP by email or tel. 62310755 by 9 October.

10 October: Hobart Climate Change Engagement Forum. At Phillip Smith Centre, 2 Edward Street, Glebe, 10am–4pm. This inaugural event seeks to bring people together to hear latest implications for Tasmania and start a program of wider engagement. Details: Phil Harrington 0419106449 or Margaret Steadman 62345566.

7 October: Agribusiness and climate change. 9:00am-3:30pm at Tram Sheds Function Centre, Inveresk Railyards, 4 Invermay Road, Launceston. Providing practical examples of rural enterprises dealing with climate change in the agriculture, food and beverage industries. More information at Farmpoint website.
2 October: Statewide Forum on Climate Change. 10.30am-4.30pm at Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Inveresk: Tasmanian Youth Forum asks What are you doing? What can you do? Who can help you? Book a place by email or tel. 0488235511.

2 October: Walk to Work Day. Be a Walking Class Hero by leaving the car at home, or at least a kilometre from your destination, and walking to work. If you use public transport, get off a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way, or take a half-hour walk at lunch-time and where possible walk up stairs.

2 October: “Equal Rights at the Lights” mass pedestrian crossing. Cnr Davey and Murray Streets, Hobart, outside DHHS building, at either 8.10am or 8.40am. Mass pedestrian crossing to highlight inadequacy of timing for pedestrian crossing. For more information email Pedestrian Power.

26 September: Source Wholefoods working bee. A day of planting, garden-bed building and fencing, with gourmet food around the pizza oven. At Source Centre, French St, UTas (behind Ref.). All welcome.

24 September: Climate Change and Cities–a way forward. Second annual Tasmanian Climate Action Council ‘meet the community’ event featuring Council member Professor Rob Adams, at Stanley Burbury Theatre, University Centre, Sandy Bay Campus, 5.30–8pm.

23 September: “Sisters on the Planet” follow-up. Where do we go from here? – following the showing of the movie, a discussion and planning session at the Royal Oak, 14 Brisbane Street, Launceston, at 7pm.

22 September: National Water Information Seminar. Senior Bureau of Meteorology staff present progress report on water scarcity, water quality and flood risk management. 9am-3.15pm at Hobart Function and Conference Centre, 1 Elizabeth Street Pier. Participants must register before 15 September.

22 September: Annual meeting, Sustainable Living Tasmania. For Members and people who wish to join, at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 22 September, 71 Murray St, Hobart (in the basement art gallery), with supper upstairs in SLT’s new community space.