Zero Emission Network

***FOR THE BULK BUY ENERGY DEAL REGISTER AT THE WEBSITE WWW.WARRANDYTECAN.COM.AU NOT HERE***

This is the temporary website of WarrandyteCAN [Climate Action Now]

Zero Emission Network is happy to provide this service to our member groups.

WARRANDYTE CAN'S PROJECTS AND EVENTS

COMMUNITY BULK-BUY ENERGY BILL DISCOUNT OPPORTUNITY

Contact to register your interest: www.warrandytecan.com.au

WarrandyteCAN, on behalf Warrandyte residents, is investigating an opportunity to access discounts on energy, based on the combined power of the community’s strength to choose one energy retailer over another. The plan would invite all energy retailers (electricity and gas) to bid for the combined energy needs of residents.

Bulk-buy energy deals mean energy retailers reduce their costs in the area of field sales teams and marketing. It is these savings they can pass on to communities with better than ever prices. Savings may be up to 10% for households depending on how successfully they are currently accessing the best rates in the market (such as via direct debit payment and online set up offers). A community based committee would ultimately decide on the selection of the provider.

We have emailed our 600 supporters to advise them of our initial investigation. Further details of the opportunity and the chance to indicate an expression of interest will follow in the next few days. This would not place residents under any obligation but would help measure the level of interest and gauge the feasibility of the idea.

The wider Warrandyte community is being approached through a local advertising campaign and with the support of groups such as the WCA, Lions, Rotary, the CFA, the Warrandyte Tennis Club and other sporting clubs. Following exploratory discussions with the organizer, Power Group Purchasing, (www.powergrouppurchasing.com) and the Somers community, which has introduced the program (www.somers.org.au/electricityOffer.html#somersElectOffer), it does look very promising.

Publicity on the Somers project is available on line
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2010/10/15/3039566.htm

Register Your Interest Now: www.warrandytecan.com.au
Watch this space for further information.

JULY 21, 2011 NEXT INFORMATION NIGHT

Protecting the vulnerable in our community while responding to climate change

An important forum to be held in our community in July deals with how we achieve climate justice - who should pay for climate change? Plus a powerful presentation of current thinking on solutions to climate change. WarrandyteCAN, the local climate action group, brings Ben Courtice, renewable energy campaigner with Friends of the Earth (FoE) and Marguerite Marshall, journalist and author, with Al Gore’s latest demonstration of how the world does have the solutions for the future. This event will be held Thursday July 21, 7.30pm – 9.30pm at the new Anderson Creek Primary School Performing Arts Centre: free entry and no booking required.

Ben Courtice will discuss 'climate justice' measures that look for solutions which build community and don't let the most vulnerable suffer the worst of climate change. Wayne Rankin, President of WarrandyteCAN, said “Interestingly, while the opinion polls tell us that the community is moving away from supporting a carbon tax, FoE has continuously campaigned for the rights of climate refugees and against "carbon offset" schemes and emissions trading schemes “.

Currently FoE is campaigning to stop the state government imposing severe restrictions on the placement of wind turbines that would see the wind industry potentially locked out of much of the state. Hear about how community owned wind farms benefit regional areas and FoE’s work to support groups that are trying to set them up.

Marguerite Marshall is one of 11 Australians amongst 650 people worldwide, trained by Al Gore, maker of the film An Inconvenient Truth. In this presentation she discusses his new book, Our Choice on Climate Change Solutions, based on expert scientific data and demonstrating how the world has the answers to combat climate change.
Marguerite has been a climate campaigner for 35 years and a public speaker for more than 15 years. She founded a local climate group (People for Environmental Protection) and been on several council environmental committees and written as a freelance journalist. The Australian team presenting Al Gore’s work, The Climate Project, is managed in Australia by the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Marguerite will open the presentation, followed by Ben Courtice with his discussion on climate justice.

WARRANDYTE CAN SUSTAINABILITY EXPO APRIL 2, 2011.

This year, the very informative and fun day where lots of providers of products and services help us deal with Climate Change, we introduced the Sounds of Climate Change as a backdrop to our 23 great exhibitors! While we aim to assemble for you the most useful people to assist with renewable energy, growing your own and generally living and building sustainably, things have been grim in terms of our Government's support for renewable energy. Hence we felt our spirits needed 'uplifting' with songs from our community. Our Anderson's Creek Primary School is one school seriously working to teach children about sustainable living. They agreed to join us and sing some positive songs around the subject of the environment while Warrandyte's Women Against Warming and a local Blues duo added their special sounds to the Expo.

Also joining in with displays and discussions were groups representing Permaculture, Transition Towns and Local Food Connect. 15 minute info-sessions were presented throughout the day.

There were great prizes, mini lectures off the main foyer, food and drinks.

Watch out for the Sustainablity Expo again next year in April in Warrandyte and plan to get involved. Entry is free.

SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN FOR WINDFARMS

We sent the following letter to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Hon Ryan Smith, the Minister for Planning and the Premier February 1, 2011:

Dear Ryan,
Congratulations on the Liberal Party’s return to Government in Victoria and your appointment as Minister for Environment and Climate Change. You would be aware that WarrandyteCAN is a local grass roots group representing nearly 500 residents concerned to see State and Federal policies developed to promote the speedy implementation of renewable energy.

We are very concerned about the Coalition’s plan to reverse the previous Government’s wind farm expansion policy. The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has already noted that if the Coalition policy was enacted, it would put “thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of energy projects … at risk”. WarrandyteCAN’s supporters endorse the further development of wind farms and renewables in general and they expect the government to act on these issues.

As you would know, climate science tells us that we only have this decade to turn global emissions around. We will not be able to do this if we stop the expansion of the wind farm sector.
We implore you to reconsider the Coalition’s wind farm policy for the greater good of all people and look forward to an opportunity to meet with you at your convenience to discuss local sustainability issues.

Yours sincerely,
Wayne Rankin,
President
WarrandyteCAN
wayne@rankindesign.com.au
Mobile: 0418 394 494
http://www.zeroemissionnetwork.org/host-wcan

The reply from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change was that he was passing it to the Minister for Planning as it was a "planning issue". Great work!

If you would like to personally contribute to writing to the respective Ministers, visit the following address for details.
http://yes2renewables.wordpress.com/

EARTH HOUR PUT IT IN YOUR CALENDAR. PLAN FOR IT. LATE MARCH!

WarrandyteCAN supported Earth Hour in March this year, promoting the event with residents and business. It's a very important way to recognise the need to reduce our carbon footprint, especially as it reminds those of us in the community not constantly thinking about this need and is just one more way to keep the message out there. We encourge all Warrandyte businesses - restaurants, the hotel, petrol stations and closed businesses - plus all residents, to take part again next year, in 2012 and light a candle over dinner for an hour or turn off the lights not essential for security and safety in your business.

BACKGROUND | MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT

OBJECTIVES
The principal objective of WarrandyteCAN is to communicate to our community the urgent need to take immediate action on climate change, to raise awareness and empower people to act to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To all those who’ve shown interest in WarrandyteCAN, thank you. Effectively you’ve put your hand up to say ‘I want to do as much as I can to reduce carbon emissions locally and to influence the broader debate on climate change’.
Well done. WarrandyteCAN emails its members and supporters on upcoming climate related events. If you wish to join our supporters list or preferably become a member, just download and complete the membership application form below. Members are encouraged to participate with the Committee in identifying, planning and actioning events and activities. You would be warmly welcomed if you would like to get actively involved in WarrandyteCAN. Contact Wayne Rankin, President, to discuss on 9844 4438. WarrandyteCAN make a Difference.