Sunshine Coast Environment Council

What an amazing year we've had. We had kind of forgotten about some of it until we had to pull it all together for theannual report that was presented at the AGM on 18 June. More than 50 meetings with public and private sector parties where we represented the environment, 30 events attended by over 10,000 people, 129 media stories... wow! An enormous thank you to all the volunteers, donors, members and people who showed up to our events that have made this possible.

An enormous vote of thanks also goes out to the 38 people who donated to our tax-time appeal and helped us raise $3,492! Much more than we had dared to hope we would raise, so thank you very much for your generosity. Our other fund raising efforts are still ongoing so if you haven't bought a raffle ticket yet please consider spending $5 on a chance to win some great prizes (incl. a solar system, weekend get aways) and the knowledge that you're supporting a good cause. And don't forget our Trivia Night on Friday 17 July which will be an evening full of fun and games and will give you another chance to win more fantastic prizes (incl. a tablet, tickets to Woodford, a spirit house dinner voucher and a chance to drive an electric BMW for 3 days). Jump online to grab tickets to either event and please share widely on social media.

There are a number of other events coming up this months. On Wednesday 15 July SCEC is co-hosting the Sunshine Coast Law Jam in colaboration with the Environmental Defenders Office. During this evening we will critically review the proposed new Queensland Planning Legislation. Experts including Sunshine Coast Council Executive Director Warren Bunker and EDO Principal Solicitor Jo Bragg will share their views on the proposed changes.

On Saturday 8 August we are organising a working bee to help with the establishment of a wildlife corridor linking woodlands extending down a ridge from the Mapleton forest reserve to the riparian zone of Belli Creek. The project, which is carried out by Noosa Land Care and funded by Council, takes place at Eumundi Beef, the property that hosted Plates in a Paddock in March this year. This is a great way for us to say 'thank you!' to Susan Rodger for her contribution to this great event. So join us for a day of mulching, weeding and erecting fences as we re-establish much needed connectivity in the area.

Much else has happened since our last e-bulletin including a landmark court case in the Netherlands ruling that not acting on climate change violates human rights. Read about these and other events in our campaign updates section.

The SCEC team

We have started preparations for the Climate Change Relay to be held on 26 September. We are looking for volunteers to help with the organisation including jobs like: designing and distributing posters, contacting schools, reaching out to surf life saving and paddling community etc. If you're interested email Nate via [email protected]

Individual membership in SCEC is counted as a donation for tax-purposes. By subscribing to one of our monthly membership options you will be providing ongoing support our work protecting the natural environment while giving yourself something to smile about at tax time.

Law Jam- 15 July from 6 PM, Lake Kawana Community Centre
SCEC Trivia Night- 17 July from 6 PM, Millwell Road Community Centre (Maroochydore)
Working Bee- 8 August from 10 AM, 1577 Eumundi Kenilworth Road

Climate Action

In an unprecedented court case, a court in the Dutch city of the Hague has found that the Dutch Government must take decisive action to avoid more than 2 degrees global warming to protect the general welfare of its citizens. The court further ruled that the Dutch governments existing emission reduction target of 17% below 1990 levels by 2020 did not provide adequate protection to its citizens andordered the state to adjust its emission reduction program to ensure it will achieve a reduction of between 25% and 40% by 2020!!!

The case was brought by the not-for-profit groupUrgenda and is the first case in which a court has found that states have a duty of care to act to avoid climate change of more than 2 degrees (the IPCC limit above which climate change is considered dangerous). The case sets an important precedent establishing a link between human rights and the need to act on climate change. A further significant finding of the court is that there are no reasonable economic arguments why the Dutch government could not deliver stronger action of the type ordered by the court. The Conversation has published an overview of what the case might mean for Australia.

Closer to home the Queensland Conservation Council has teamed up with Diamond Energy to offer 100% renewable energy to retail electricity customers at no extra cost! QCC will receive a donation from Diamand Energy for every QCC supporter that signs up.

THE GOLDENSEAL BOTANICAL SANCTUARY

Nestled in Southern Ohio's Appalachian hills is the Goldenseal Botanical Sanctuary. I recently had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful place while in the United States. The sanctuary, located on what was once a large area of strip mining, is on a mission to protect native medicinal plants of the area while ensuring there is an abundant supply for generations to come. You can take a walk on the medicine trail and learn about the many native herbs that supply our every need. There is an internship program where you learn identification, conservation and cultivation, sustainable wild harvesting practices, medicine making and much more. Check out their website for more info and be sure to like them on Facebook. SCEC's DVD of the month is a documentary about Paul Strauss who began the area's transformation into a medicinal sancutary. It has won many international awards including "Best Environmental Film" at the Byron Bay International Film Festival in 2013. Be sure to check that out as well!

SCEC's DVD of the Month

"The Sanctity of Sanctuary"

The Sanctity of Sanctuary is a film about Paul Strauss, the man behind the conservation success of Southern Ohio's medicinal plants. Follow Paul's journey as a young revolutionary with an early vision of living sustainably with our planet. Check out the website for details on where to watch and purchase the film that has won many international awards and inspired thousands of people.