Solar Thermal is coming to Port Augusta!

Last week we heard the incredible news that Premier Weatherill and the South Australian Government will back solar thermal with storage in Port Augusta!  Construction of the 150-megawatt plant will commence next year and is expected to provide 100% of the state government’s energy needs by 2020.

Read the ABC news article here.

This is a massive win for the climate, the local Port Augusta community, and people power!  It is the culmination of a strong grassroots campaign over the last seven years, which CLEAN members were at the forefront of.

Back in 2010, inspired by the Beyond Zero Emissions “Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan”, a small group of committed CLEAN members travelled up to Port Augusta to engage the local community around this vision for a renewable future for their town.  Over the following years, a number of other groups came on board, forming the Repower Port Augusta Alliance, and a local action group was formed.  A diverse range of stakeholders – from local councils, to unions, to environmental groups, worked together to turn this vision into a reality.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in helping this campaign win – by running stalls, doorknocking, attending rallies, signing petitions, lobbying MPs or talking to friends and family about the issue.  Give yourselves a big pat on the back!

Let this win show us that people power can change the world – and combat climate change.  We have a long way to go to win the struggle to phase out fossil fuels and transition to 100% renewable energy, but for now, celebrate this win – together, we did it!

Celebrate Winning Solar Thermal for Port Augusta

Saturday 2nd September, 6:30pm
Central Oval, Port Augusta
RSVP via this form

Repower Port Augusta is throwing a party in Port Augusta to celebrate this amazing win for people power and the community.  Everyone who has supported the campaign over the years is invited to come along!

It’s going to be a great party and we’ve got a lot to celebrate! We’ll hear stories from some of the key leaders of this campaign throughout the years and it will be a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Light food will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. The event is free to attend but donations to cover costs will be appreciated.  Please RSVP if you will be attending to assist with catering. 

Hope to see you there!

Below is the main content of the CLEANSA Climate Awareness Oasis proposal. You can download the full version as an editable word doc, or a generic PDF version.

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The Climate Emergency Action Network of South Australia (CLEAN SA) is seeking collaboration with local councils, not for profit organisations and community groups on a community engagement project over the summer of 2014/15.

Our proposal centres on the idea of a Climate Awareness Oasis being set up at key public locations where people frequent in the hot weather, such as beaches. At these locations, we would set up engaging information booths with interactive activities, aiming to inspire engagement on the interconnected issues of climate change and extreme weather, as well as heat safety and community resilience.

We envision the Climate Awareness Oasis stalls being made up of multiple components – facilitating access by different audiences and enabling different levels of interaction and interest.

These may include (but need not be limited to):

• Information displays – climate science, connection to extreme weather, heatwave safety, ways for people to get involved

• Giveaways eg. Water, ice cream, sunblock

• A solar-powered media tent (eg. laptop set up w/ videos, PowerPoint presentation)

• Interactive activities – ideas include:

  • Photo petition

  • Summer heat action pledge

  • Workshops / climate presentations

  • Kids area & activities eg. face-painting, climate fact trail/treasure hunt

• Kites flying climate-change messages

• A model of a solar-thermal power plant like the one proposed for Port Augusta

• Visual displays of projected sea level rise and temperature increases

• ‘Ask a climate scientist’ (a guest climate scientist in residence to answer people’s questions)

To help make this proposal a reality, CLEAN requests assistance to:

• Provide access to potential sites
• Provide financial and/or in-kind support and sponsorship (eg. For the provision of giveaways)
• Provide information resources for distribution on heat safety, adaptation measures and existing local climate change projects
• Provide shade structures and infrastructure
• Print materials and signage
• Assist with staffing the Oasis
• Promote the Oasis
• Connect us with relevant community groups

Rationale:

The hot weather experienced in Adelaide over summer, and particularly during heatwaves, compels the general public to consider the impacts of climate change and what life will actually feel like in a warming world.

CLEAN believes this is an ideal time to conduct awareness-raising activities regarding climate change and heat-related health issues, exploring how to care for ourselves during extreme heat events and how to care for the planet to avoid further catastrophic hot weather.

The Climate Awareness Oasis aims to educate the public about climate change, but more importantly to inspire people to take action and become part of the solution. 

Poster / Flyer downloads (courtesy of AYCC)

The People’s Climate March

in Adelaide will be held at 11am on the 20th of September at Rundle Park.

This will be the biggest day of global climate action to date. In New York their march is going to be something awe inspiring. But we have a chance to show the world how it’s done.
The rest of the world are doing their march on the 21st, but we in Adelaide are doing it on Saturday the 20th as the City to Bay is on the next day. This means that the world is going to be looking to us as an example of how to have an epic rally.
Lets show them how it is done by loudly marching from Rundle Park to Elder Park. After releasing our pent up anger, we can then work together on the various campaigns that are actually making a difference. From divestment to investment to direct action, there’s opportunities for you and your friends to use your legs, your mouth or your wallet to make a difference.

Come to the March next Saturday. Make a difference.
Ohh and don’t forget to say hi to everyone else there!

For more information check out the CLEANSA post about the event and hit ‘Join’ on Facebook. Don’t live in Adelaide? Check out the CORENA Facebook event of Australian locations and just by clicking ‘Join’ $1 will be donated towards renewables.

QR code link to this post   

On Saturday the 10th of May from 6:30pm CLEANSA will be hosting a screening of Greedy Lying Bastards.

What : Film Screening of Greedy Lying Bastards

When : Sat 10th May, 6:30pm for 7pm start.

Where : Box Factory Community Centre, 59 Regent Street South, Adelaide.

Cost : $8 waged/ $5 concession

You can RSVP on the Facebook event.

For more information contact Gemma on 043 771 4786 (please note, the mobile number on the poster is incorrect!)

Poster

Download the PDF or JPG printable versions of the poster

Movie Trailer