AUST: CLIMATE CAMP 2008: Initial Planning Meeting July 23

You may have heard that Rising Tide Newcastle is initiating a national
convergence to be held in the Hunter in mid 2008. We would like as many different groups and activists from across the nation to be involved in making this happen. As such, please consider coming along to our first planning meeting on Monday, July 23 in Sydney. More detailed info is below.

Please feel free to send through your networks...
*
CLIMATE CAMP 2008: Initial Planning Meeting. Monday, July 23, 6-8pm @
The Climate Institute, Level 2, 263 George Street, Sydney.*
Non-Sydney people - please contact us about getting on the phone.
(vanessa@risingtide.org.au, 0413 817 597)

*Climate Change: The State of Play*
The time of denial is over. All agree that climate change is the
fundamental issue of our time. Across Australia, grassroots groups are
springing up. Large NGO's that once saw it as one of many issues have
made it a priority. Local councils are funding initiatives aimed at
awareness of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The media run daily reports on the impacts of climate change and government response to the challenge. In November last year, tens of thousands of people took to Australian streets and marched against global warming.

Listening to the rhetoric would have us believe that governments are
heeding the calls. Howard has been dragged kicking and screaming into
responding... with an industry led report on an emissions trading scheme that won't take affect until 2012, increased support for nuclear power and through throwing more money at the coal industry to find a solution.

On a federal level, Labor has promised to set minimal targets, give some
support to renewable energy and... to throw more money at the coal
industry. At the state level their addiction to coal money is evident,
approving new coal mines and infrastructure on a regular basis despite
public outrage.

It is clear that if we, the people leave the response to climate change
to politicians and corporations we are facing worst case and devastating
scenarios for the entire planet and the future.

We will not see our calls ignored any longer. The time for real action
on climate change is now.

*So, How?*
Next year (2008) there will be a direct action camp in the Hunter Valley
to implement and inspire real action on climate change. Ideally it will
be organised by a broad coalition of groups and individuals concerned
about climate change. As a national event, it will require a lot of
organizing -- so no matter where you are, we need your help!

While the focus is to be on action, we want broad input in planning, so
a diversity of views are represented, and there is wide ownership and
empowerment through the event. The scope and nature of the camp would be determined partly by the organising collective and partly by participants.

We envisage a large, creative and vibrant convergence of concerned
citizens with a desire to take action to reclaim our future.

There will be a sustainable, family and kid-friendly camp site powered
on-site with renewable energy. There will be organised entertainment,
forums, workshops and open space programing. The space and the general structure will be provided - the participants will make it be!

There is also potential for integration with the Students of
Sustainability conference which may be held in Newcastle next year.

*Where?*
Newcastle, NSW, is the home of the world's biggest coal port. We are at the coal face of climate change, with recent approvals for new coal
infrastructure that will double the annual export capacity from 80
million tonnes to 211 million tonnes. That's equivalent to well over
three times the NSW domestic greenhouse pollution from all sources.

The Hunter Valley coal chain that supplies Newcastle Harbour continues
to devastate the landscape with vast open cut coal mines. Threatened
species, tight-knit communities, rivers and aquifers are all sacrificed
at the alter of coal, by governments incapable of saying "no" to the
coal lobby. The NSW government recently approved a huge open cut mine for Anvil Hill, an iconic and biodiverse site in the Hunter. The mine
will contribute 10 million tonnes of coal a year (the same as the entire
transport sector of NSW) to Newcastle's output. The Hunter Valley is
fast proving a contested space, with alternatives to coal mining such as
the wine making and horsebreeding industries, beginning to raise dissent to the rapacious expansion of coal in that region.

Rising Tide Newcastle invites the nation to converge at the heart of the
coal industries lair, to/ /reclaim the Hunter, for the future of the
rest of the world.

*Let's Begin!
*
Initial Planning Meeting:
*Monday, July 23, 6-8pm
@ The Climate Institute, Level 2, 263 George Street, Sydney.*
Non-Sydney people - please contact us about getting on the phone.
(vanessa@risingtide.org.au, 0413 817 597)

Potential Agenda Items:

* Objectives- why we believe such a direct action camp is required
* Vision - what we imagine for the camp
* Site/ Venue?
* Targets?
* Dates
* Organising structure, decision making process
* Timeline
* Working group establishment//
* Other people/orgs to get involved....//

/Contact: Vanessa - vanessa@risingtide.org.au, 0413 817 597/

For inspiration, see: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk