New Survey Shows Majority Support for Zero by 2050

Latest Guardian Essential Poll shows 75% of voters support a Zero Emissions by 2050 target. Support is also strong among Coalition voters, at 68%.

So, of course, we have added this to our messaging.

And we've added a new flyer.

This week we had some good conversations. Many people are very anxious about the impacts of climate change and worried by government inaction. They want to do more, and they want to encourage us to do more.

Over time, we are beginning to recognise familiar faces. One man said, "I have some ideas about this. I'll talk to you about it next week."

This is how things build. Reliability. Trust. Honesty.

Look at us now!

Since extra people joined us last week, we have ramped up our visibility.

Look at us now in our viz vests. We're hard to miss.

Jason brought his big colourful "boiling point" placard. 

I also came up with this Box Poster to add visibility to our messages.

I got four A2 posters printed to look like News Posters. They have factual messages from recent news items. I wanted to put them in the wire holders that newsagents use, but I couldn't figure out how to get some. I think they are provided by the newspaper companies. Then, when I was in Bunnings, I saw this cardboard packing chest and it looked just the right size.

It works perfectly. The four posters go on the four sides. It stands independently, and folds flat in a flash, so it's easy to carry.

Best of all, it attracted a lot of readers. People slowed down to read the headline. 

Now I have a new theory about communicating with pedestrians who are on their way somewhere. Most of them aren't in a mood to engage with Activists, so they studiously avoid a person holding a sign. But they're quite ready to read messages that look neutral and newsy. 

I'm going to experiment with NOT holding a sign. I'll hold a clipboard and some flyers to hand out. Every week, people see me with the clipboard and come to sign the petition. Many people who don't want to sign are willing to take a flyer. Our flyers call for Zero Emissions by 2050 and give contact details for people to phone or email our local MP, Paul Fletcher. 

Oh, and by the way, Paul Fletcher came past us on his way to his office. I said "Good Morning" and he studiously ignored us while he waited for the lights at the crossing. 

What can he do?

What can Paul Fletcher do? Politicians seem to be entirely constrained by the group-think of their political parties. 

Most of them vote the Party line. In fact, Paul Fletcher ALWAYS votes the Party line.

So what can he do?

He can do what other moderate Liberals are doing -- he can speak up for strong climate policies that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. He can advocate for a policy of Zero Emissions by 2050.

Other North Shore Liberals are speaking up, and speaking up strongly. Trent Zimmerman and Matt Kean are very forthright about the need to reduce emissions, and Jason Falinski has supported them. 

Why does Paul Fletcher stay silent? 

We'll be asking him next Tuesday when we visit his office. 

Reserve Bank of Australia calls for better Climate Policies

Philip Lowe, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, used a speech at Australia-Canada economic leadership forum on 13 February to observe that the Reserve Bank was paying attention to the financial implications of Climate Change.

We have a responsibility to understand the economic and the financial implication of climate change.

He said: 

"The economic implications are profound."

"The world is getting hotter and the climate is more variable. We're seeing already in Australia, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, the effects of that."

"Climate change is affecting the nature of production in Australia, the nature of investment, ultimately the nature of our exports. At the moment, I think it's affecting confidence of people and therefore ultimately spending." 

He called for greater policy certainty.

The policy uncertainty is problematic. There's been very substantial investment in renewables in Australia. We have fantastic opportunities there to reshape our energy production system ... but it would be enhanced with greater policy certainty.

He's being polite. 

Investment in renewables collapsed by more than 50 per cent in 2019, according to the Australian Financial Review. This is blamed on mounting regulatory risks, under-investment in transmission, and policy uncertainty. All these problems are caused by government recalcitrance and ineptitude.

We need strong government leadership to set a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the longer term. Within this framework, consistent policy support will guide ongoing investment in clean energy. The legislation proposed by Zali Steggall provides exactly this policy certainty.

The Morrison government should listen to the Reserve Bank, and all the other voices calling for greater policy certainty. If they don't, the 'lost decade' will become the 'lost 20 years' - and that's a whole generation.

I encourage you to contact your MP or Senators and urge them to support the legislation proposed by Zali Steggall. 

What to write

We encourage you to write to your MP and your senators. Send an email, or put a letter in the mail. We hear that handwritten letters carry a lot of weight.

What to say? I just throw my thoughts down as they come. Then I re-read and edit. I usually pull back on the ferocity of my feelings. And I usually try to include a reference to current news or data from a reputable source - especially the government's own data.

Here's what I wrote by email to Paul Fletcher this week.

Dear Mr Fletcher,

As my MP, I expect you to promote and support evidence-based policy.

This is especially important with respect to climate policy. Your government has given us ‘the lost decade’ in climate policy. I hold you personally responsible because your voting record on climate issues is abysmal.

Now, that can change.

I expect you to support the Zali Steggall bill, because it is vitally important and because it is based on the best evidence.

If you DON’T vote for it, I will want to know why. I will want to see a STRONGER bill proposed by the government before June. 

It is increasingly clear who are the hostage-takers in your government- a handful of right-wing idiots who hold the rest of you to ransom. 

Your government will go down in history as the most incompetent, corrupt government in Australian history. I hope you blush every week at the antics of your colleagues. YOU will be remembered as complicit in this malpractice.

One small way to redeem yourself will be to vote FOR the Private Members Bill. I expect no less of you.

In this case, I tried to be fierce but polite. I made direct statements about what I want Fletcher to do.

The media reports that our letters, emails and phone calls are making a difference. So, get creative, send your pollies a message.

Just another Tuesday...

We turned up at Lindfield on the Pacific Highway at the Lindfield Station for our usual Tuesday morning action. We started in December, and have continued through January, into February.

And eight people, strangers, joined us! How encouraging is that?

We collected lots of signatures for our petition. Gillian is a whizz at approaching people.

About 2,500 people saw our signs.

And we visited Paul Fletcher's office with our petition and the strong message that we demand stronger action to reduce carbon emissions. The government is failing us.

Then we had coffee!

From next week, our main messages will be Zero by 2050. We will support the Private Members bill  proposed by Zali Steggall.

In a thousand local actions across Australia. We will raise our voices everywhere.

Next Tuesday, we'll be on the streets of Lindfield again.!